What is NuLYTELY (Polyethylene Glycol 3350 With Electrolytes)?
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 is the most important information I should know about NuLYTELY (Polyethylene Glycol 3350 With Electrolytes)?
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.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking NuLYTELY (Polyethylene Glycol 3350 With Electrolytes)?
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.
NuLYTELY Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of NuLYTELY (Polyethylene Glycol 3350 With Electrolytes)?
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.
NuLYTELY Interactions
What other drugs affect NuLYTELY (Polyethylene Glycol 3350 With Electrolytes)?
There may be other drugs that can interact with polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking NuLYTELY (Polyethylene Glycol 3350 With Electrolytes)?
Avoid taking other medications, vitamins, or mineral supplements within 1 hour before drinking polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution. Any medications you take just before a bowel cleansing will not be properly absorbed into your body.
Do not use other laxatives while using polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution unless your doctor has told you to.
NuLYTELY Dosage
How should I take NuLYTELY (Polyethylene Glycol 3350 With Electrolytes)?
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.
What happens if I overdose on NuLYTELY (Polyethylene Glycol 3350 With Electrolytes)?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine at one time.
An overdose of this medication is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.
What happens if I miss a dose of NuLYTELY (Polyethylene Glycol 3350 With Electrolytes)?
Talk to your doctor if you cannot drink all of the medication prescribed for you. Your test or procedure may need to be rescheduled if your bowel is not completely cleansed.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com