Polyethylene Glycol 300
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 15, 2025.
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
What is it?
Polyethylene glycol, referred to as PEG, is used as an inactive ingredient in the pharmaceutical industry as a solvent, plasticizer, surfactant, ointment and suppository base, and tablet and capsule lubricant. PEG has low toxicity with systemic absorption less than 0.5%.
PEGylation occurs when PEGs are attached to various protein medications, allowing for greater solubility for certain drugs. Examples of PEGylated medications include PEG-interferon alpha (Pegintron) and PEG-filgrastim (Neulasta). PEG is also available as a bowel prep for colonoscopy procedures and as a laxative.[1]
PEG 400 indicates the average molecular weight of the specific PEG at 400.[2] PEG 3350 is a laxative available over-the-counter by the name of Miralax. In this case, PEG is considered an active ingredient, even though systemic absorption is less than 0.5%.
Some examples of medications containing Polyethylene Glycol 300
- Anastrozole 1 mg
- Arimidex 1 mg
- Caprelsa 300 mg
- Caprelsa 100 mg
- Casodex 50 mg
- Escitalopram Oxalate 10 mg (base)
- Escitalopram Oxalate 20 mg (base)
- Escitalopram Oxalate 5 mg (base)
- Ethinyl Estradiol and Norethindrone Acetate ethinyl estradiol 0.005 mg / norethindrone acetate 1 mg
- Ethinyl Estradiol and Norethindrone Acetate ethinyl estradiol 0.0025 mg / norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg
- Ibuprofen 200 mg
- Irbesartan 150 mg
- Irbesartan 75 mg
- Irbesartan 300 mg
- Iressa 250 mg
- Vandetanib 300 mg
References
- Dave RH. Overview of pharmaceutical excipients used in tablets and capsules. Drug Topics (online). Advanstar. 10/24/2008 http://drugtopics.modernmedicine.com/drugtopics/Top+News/Overview-of-pharmaceutical-excipients-used-in-tabl/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/561047. Accessed 08/19/2011
- ThermoScientific. PEG (Polyethylene Glycol) Reagents http://www.piercenet.com/products/browse.cfm?fldID=12D97D8D-5056-8A76-4E95-9EA0D0B54BDB Accessed 08/19/2011
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.