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What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to polyethylene glycol or any other electrolyte solutions (such as Pedialyte or Gatorade), or if you have:

• a perforated bowel;
• a bowel obstruction or severe constipation; or
• colitis or toxic megacolon.

If you have any these conditions, you could have dangerous or life-threatening side effects from polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution.

People with eating disorders (such as anorexia or bulimia) should not use this medication without the advice of a doctor.

Before taking polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• nausea or vomiting;
• trouble swallowing; or
• a history of bowel obstruction, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, or other chronic bowel disease.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Older adults may be more likely to have serious side effects from this medicine.

How should I take polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Do not take polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution if it has been less than 2 hours since you last ate solid food. For best results, take the medicine 3 to 4 hours after you last ate.

Do not add any flavorings to this medicine, such as sugar, honey, artificial sweetener, fruit juices, or other beverages.

Chilling the medicine in a refrigerator may make it taste better.

Shake the liquid well just before you measure a dose. Drink this medicine in the exact portions at the exact time intervals prescribed by your doctor.

Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution will produce watery diarrhea. Keep taking the medicine until your stool is watery and clear. In most cases, at least 3 liters of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution is needed for the full effect.

The usual dose of the medication is 8 ounces every 10 minutes. Drink each portion as quickly as possible, rather than sipping it slowly. The first watery stool should appear within 1 hour after you start drinking polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution.

You may be instructed not to drink or eat anything before your medical test or procedure. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink for at least 24 hours before and after your test or procedure.

Throw away any polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution you have not used within 48 hours after it was mixed.

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