Polyethylene Glycol (Miralax) Pharmacology

Real Life Pharmacology - Pharmacology Education for Health Care Professionals

Eric Christianson, PharmD; Pharmacology Expert and Clinical Pharmacist

Education, Health & Fitness, Medicine

5 • 716 Ratings

🗓️ 8 May 2025

⏱️ 14 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, I discuss Miralax (polyethylene glycol) pharmacology, adverse effects, and much more.

MiraLAX is an osmotic laxative commonly used to treat occasional constipation by retaining water in the stool to increase stool frequency and soften consistency.

The standard adult dose of MiraLAX is 17 grams (approximately one heaping tablespoon) dissolved in 4 to 8 ounces of liquid once daily.

Electrolyte imbalances are rare but possible with prolonged or excessive use of Miralax, particularly in elderly or renal-impaired patients.

Advise patients to maintain adequate hydration while using MiraLAX to support its mechanism and reduce side effects.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey all, welcome back to the Real Life Pharmacology podcast.
0:03.1	I'm your host pharmacist, Eric Christensen.
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0:40.2	The drug of the day today is polyethylene glycol. Myerlax is probably the more common
0:47.9	brand name you're going to hear there. I'll hear the abbreviation periodically. peg as well, or PEG.
0:57.0	So this medication is used for chronic constipation.
1:01.9	Also can be used for bowel prep and colonoscopy.
1:06.8	Also can be used kind of on an as-needed basis for the management of constipation as well.
1:12.5	This is what's called an osmotic diuretic.
1:17.7	So from a mechanism of action standpoint,
1:21.2	essentially what an osmotic agent does is it causes water to help come into the bowel and stool ultimately,
	...

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