Polyethylene glycol

Chembox | Verifiedfields = changed | Watchedfields = changed | verifiedrevid = 477163023 | Name = | ImageFile = PEG Structural Formula V1.svg | IUPACName = poly(oxyethylene) {structure-based}, poly(ethylene oxide) {source-based} | OtherNames = Kollisolv, Carbowax, GoLYTELY, GlycoLax, Fortrans, TriLyte, Colyte, Halflytely, macrogol, MiraLAX, MoviPrep | SystematicName = | Section1 = | Section2 = Chembox Properties | Formula = C2nH4n+2On+1 | MolarMass = nowrap|44.05n + 18.02 g/mol | Appearance = | Density = 1.125 | MeltingPt = | BoilingPt = | Solubility = | Section3 = | Section4 = | Section5 = | Section6 = | Section7 = Polyethylene glycol (PEG; ˌpɒliˈɛθəlˌiːn_ˈɡlaɪˌkɒl,-ˈɛθɪl-,-ˌkɔːl) is a polyether compound derived from petroleum with many applications, from industrial manufacturing to medicine. PEG is also known as polyethylene oxide (PEO) or polyoxyethylene (POE), depending on its molecular weight. The structure of PEG is commonly expressed as H−(O−CH2−CH2)n−OH. Macrogol and PEGylation Pharmaceutical-grade PEG is used as an excipient in many pharmaceutical products, in oral, topical, and parenteral dosage forms. PEG is the basis of a number of laxatives (as MiraLax, RestoraLAX, etc.). Whole bowel irrigation with polyethylene glycol and added electrolytes is used for bowel preparation before surgery or colonoscopy or for children with constipation. Macrogol (with brand names such as Laxido, GoLytely and Miralax) is the generic name for polyethylene glycol used as a laxative. The name may be followed by a number which represents the average molecular weight (e.g. macrogol 3350, macrogol 4000 or macrogol 6000). The possibility that PEG could be used to fuse axons is being explored by researchers studying peripheral nerve and spinal cord injury. An example of PEG hydrogels (see Biological uses section) in a therapeutic has been theorized by Ma et al. They propose using the hydrogel to address periodontitis (gum disease) by encapsulating stem cells in the gel that promote healing in the gums.