Macrogol as Excipient

Product description

Polyethylene glycol (PEG), as pharmaceutical substance well known under the name Macrogol, is used as an osmotic-type laxative to treat constipation or to clear the colon before coloscopy.

Polyethylene glycols are polymers of ethylene oxide with the following chemical structure: HOCH2-[CH2-CH2 -O]n-CH2OH (n: average number of EO-units). Within the pharmaceutical industry the number included in the names of polyethylene glycols indicates the average molecular weight.

PEGs with a molecular weight up to 400 are non-volatile, clear, viscous, colourless or almost colourless hygroscopic liquids at 25C. They are used as drops, parenterals and fillings for gelatin capsules.

Polyethylene glycols with a molecular weight above 3000 are white or almost white solids with a waxy or paraffin like appearance and available as powder. They are used as ointment bases, tablet bindings, film coatings and lubricants.

Macrogol 3350 & Macrogol 4000, widely used as active ingredients, have the ability to bind a defined amount of water, which is transmitted immediately into the large intestine. There it softens the stool and increases the stool volume, which leads to a stimulation of intestinal peristalsis and increases the number of bowel movements.

Country availability

Austria	Belgium
Bulgaria	Croatia
Denmark	France
Germany	Greece
Hungary	Italy
Luxembourg	Netherlands
Norway	Poland
Portugal	Romania
Russia	Slovakia
Spain	Sweden
Switzerland	Turkey