Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Colyte, Colyte with Flavor Packs, GoLYTELY, MoviPrep, NuLYTELY, NuLYTELY Cherry, NuLYTELY Lemon Lime, NuLYTELY Orange, NuLYTELY with Flavor Packs, PEG-3350 with Electolytes, TriLyte with Flavor Packs

Generic Name: polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (Pronunciation: pall ee ETH il een GLYE kol ee LEK troe lyte)

• What is polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (Colyte, Colyte with Flavor Packs, GoLYTELY, MoviPrep, NuLYTELY, NuLYTELY Cherry, NuLYTELY Lemon Lime, NuLYTELY Orange, NuLYTELY with Flavor Packs, PEG-3350 with Electolytes, TriLyte with Flavor Packs)?
• What are the possible side effects of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution?
• What is the most important information I should know about polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution?
• How should I take polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution?
• What happens if I miss a dose?
• What happens if I overdose?
• What should I avoid while taking polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution?
• What other drugs will affect polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution?
• Where can I get more information?

What is polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (Colyte, Colyte with Flavor Packs, GoLYTELY, MoviPrep, NuLYTELY, NuLYTELY Cherry, NuLYTELY Lemon Lime, NuLYTELY Orange, NuLYTELY with Flavor Packs, PEG-3350 with Electolytes, TriLyte with Flavor Packs)?

Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution is a laxative solution that increases the amount of water in the intestinal tract to stimulate bowel movements. This medication also contains potassium, sodium, and other minerals to replace electrolytes that are passed from the body in the stool.

Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution is used to clean the bowel before colonoscopy, a barium x-ray, or other intestinal procedures.

Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor if you have any of these serious side effects:

• severe stomach pain or bloating;
• no bowel movement within 2 hours after use; or
• gagging, choking, or vomiting.

If you have any of these side effects, you may need to drink the medication more slowly, or stop using it for a short time.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild stomach cramps, gas, or bloating;
• rectal pain or irritation;
• nausea; or
• passing gas.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about 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).

You should also not take polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution 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 take polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution without the advice of a doctor.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you are not able to consume all of the solution. Incomplete cleansing of the bowel may affect the scheduled procedure.

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