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Overview: Polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes is taken to clean out your intestines before a colonoscopy or barium enema. It works by pulling water into your intestines to cause watery diarrhea. Common side effects include nausea, stomach cramps, and bloating. It is important for you to follow any instructions from your healthcare provider about foods, drinks, and medicine while you are taking polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes.

Uses

What is polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes used for?

Polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes is commonly used to clean the colon to prepare for one of the following procedures. 

  • A colonoscopy, which is a procedure done to prevent, treat, or monitor medical conditions of your large intestine
  • A barium enema X-ray exam (colon X-ray), which is an X-ray of your large intestine

Polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes work (mechanism of action)?

Polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes is a laxative. It works by pulling water into the colon (the part of the digestive system where poop is formed). It makes poop watery and easier to pass. This medicine causes diarrhea, which helps clear out the colon, making it easier for your healthcare provider to see inside your colon during the procedure. This medicine also contains electrolytes. Electrolytes help prevent dehydration and other serious problems from diarrhea.

How is polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • GaviLyte-C
  • GaviLyte-G
  • GaviLyte-N
  • Golytely

Dosage forms and strengths

  • oral powder for oral solution

How should I store polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes?

Polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolyte products should be stored in the sealed container at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. 

Once you mix polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes with water, store it in the refrigerator between 36 F to 46 F (2 C to 8 C) and use within 48 hours. Do not freeze it. Throw away any liquid that is left over after 48 hours. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure how to store this medicine.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes?

The most common side effects of polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nausea
  • Stomach fullness and cramps
  • Bloating or swelling of the stomach area
  • Vomiting
  • Anal irritation

There may be other side effects of polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes?

While less common, the most serious side effects of polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Dehydration. Polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes may cause dehydration. Dehydration may lead to low blood pressure, especially when you stand up (orthostatic hypotension), or kidney damage. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of dehydration, low blood pressure, or kidney damage.

  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Confusion or headache
  • Unsteadiness
  • Peeing less than normal
  • Swelling in your legs, ankles, and feet
  • Loss of appetite or nausea
  • Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain or pressure
  • Seizures
  • Extreme thirst

Electrolyte Changes. Polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes may cause changes to the levels of certain minerals in your body, called electrolytes. For example, it may cause low potassium levels (hypokalemia), low sodium levels (hyponatremia), or low chloride levels (hypochloremia). These changes can be serious. Keep appointments for blood work so that your healthcare provider can check your electrolyte levels, especially if you take certain other medicines. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of electrolyte changes. 

  • Weakness
  • Unusual tiredness
  • Muscle cramps or twitching
  • Constipation
  • Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
  • Dizziness
  • Restlessness or irritability
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Confusion or decreased alertness

Heart Effects. Polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes may cause abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). Call your healthcare provider or get medical attention right away if you have chest pain, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or if you feel your heartbeat more than usual.

Seizures. Some people who have taken polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes have reported having seizures. Your risk may be higher if you have had a seizure in the past. There are many different types of seizures and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop taking polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes and call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

  • Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
  • Stiffening of your arms and legs
  • Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Falling or losing consciousness

Bowel Problems. Polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes may cause bowel problems, including ulcers or ischemic colitis. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe stomach pain or rectal bleeding.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes.

  • Polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes
  • Golytely
  • GaviLyte C
  • GaviLyte G
  • Peg-lyte
  • Colyte
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes products they stock.

Stomach or Bowel Conditions. Polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes should not be used if you have any of the following conditions related to the stomach or bowel.

  • Gastrointestinal or bowel obstruction, which is a blockage in your gut
  • Bowel perforation, which is a tear in the stomach or intestines
  • Gastric retention, a condition where you have problems emptying food and liquids from the stomach
  • Toxic megacolon (toxic colitis), which is when your intestines swell and do not work properly
  • Ileus, which is slowed or no movement in the gut

What should I know about polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes before using it?

Do not take polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed. Follow the “Instructions for Use” to mix and drink this medicine. Chilling the medicine before drinking it may improve the taste. Your healthcare provider will likely give you a detailed list of what you can eat or drink the day before and while taking polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions. 

Your healthcare provider will likely give you specific instructions about taking your medicines while taking polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes. Follow these instructions. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions. 

Do not share polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes out of the reach of children. Since this medicine may be kept in a refrigerator to chill it, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

Do not mix polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes with starch-based thickeners. If you have trouble swallowing and want or need to use a starch-based thickener, ask your healthcare provider.

Do not take or use any other laxatives while taking polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Heart problems, such as a recent heart attack, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, abnormal heart rhythm
  • Kidney problems or take medicine for kidney problems
  • Problems with dehydration 
  • Electrolyte problems, such as low sodium levels (hyponatremia)
  • Stomach or bowel problems, including ulcerative colitis
  • Swallowing problems or problems with your gag reflex
  • Problems with regurgitation (foods or liquids come back up after swallowing) or aspiration (accidentally inhaling food or liquids into the lungs)
  • Acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD)
  • Seizures
  • Recently stopped drinking alcohol or taking a benzodiazepine, which is a medicine used for anxiety, muscle spasms, or seizures

Other Medicines and Supplements. Polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. 

Breastfeeding. It is not known if polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes interact with foods or drinks?

Your healthcare provider will likely give you a detailed list of what you can eat and drink before and while taking polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes. While taking polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes, you should not eat any solid food or dairy. You should not drink milk or eat or drink anything that is red or purple. These things may keep polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes from working or be confused for blood during your procedure.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes. The risk of dehydration and electrolyte changes may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes.

Does polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes.

  • A medicine to treat an electrolyte imbalance
  • A blood pressure or heart medicine
  • Any medicine for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, or phenobarbital
  • A diuretic, also called a water pill, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure
  • An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), which is a medicine for high blood pressure, heart failure, and certain kidney problems
  • A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and others, which is in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever
  • A laxative, which is a medicine used to treat constipation by softening stools or stimulating your bowels
  • A tricyclic antidepressant, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or protriptyline, even if it is not used for depression
  • Medicines that can cause QT prolongation, which is a potentially dangerous heart rhythm problem

Polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes may affect the absorption of some other medicines. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes?

If you or someone else has used too much polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes?

Polyethylene glycol 3350/electrolytes is usually taken in one or two doses. Follow the instructions given to you. If you forget to take your dose or are not able to drink all of it, call your healthcare provider to see if you need to reschedule your procedure.