Polyethyline Glycol? - Bowel Disorders Message Board

NashVegasGirl · 12-27-2005, 07:59 AM

I was prescribed this powder to get things moving, and after about 5 days it did (with NO warning!) so I backed off of it a bit. Now I'm noticing horrible cramping I didn't have before, and i noticed the temprature you have to store it at is VERY specific and not at all what I was doing. I had it too cold and on my window sill in direct light. What exactly can happen to a powder if stored improperly and could it have anything to do with this cramping? Thanks, Beth

Harry · 12-27-2005, 09:43 PM

Beth,

Polyethelene Gylcol is prescription laxative with a brand name of Mirilax. It is in the class of Osmotic type of laxative that draw fluid to the colon to promote BMs.
It is like lactulose, sorbitol, milk of magnesia, citrate of magnesia and Epson salts. It is one of the safest type of laxatives for use occasionally.

As with all laxative they can cause cramping. I don't know what storage has to do with it's action.

Harry

lorindalee · 04-22-2008, 06:37 PM

My Dr. gave me a RX for this also and after 4 days I strarted feeling very sick and broke out in a bad rash all over. I felt like death. Then I looked the information up on the internet and discovered ethelyne glycol is anti-freeze. No joke!
I told my husband that I felt like I was swolen and dehydrated all at the same time.

Harry · 04-22-2008, 07:19 PM

lorindalee,
The laxative Miralax is not anti freeze and is now an OTC laxative -- it is polyethelene gylcol not ethelene gylcol--the anti freeze that is poisonous.

You could be allergic to it??

In large doses it is used as a laxative by some Doctors to clean a person out for a
Colon exam.

sammi2 · 04-23-2008, 08:15 AM

There is a lot of controversy about polyethylene glycol. Some think it is what is in anti freeze, others don't. I was told by an allergist who should know that it is the same thing that is in anti freeze. He also says most of his
patients can't take it because of allergic reactions. I believe the dr.