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Important: This site presents data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). A report does not mean the drug caused the event. Full disclaimer.

POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS: 1,798 Adverse Event Reports & Safety Profile

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1,798
Total FAERS Reports
384 (21.4%)
Deaths Reported
837
Hospitalizations
1,798
As Primary/Secondary Suspect
233
Life-Threatening
157
Disabilities

First Report: 19971201 · Latest Report: 20250813

What Are the Most Common POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS Side Effects?

#1 Most Reported
Drug ineffective
304 reports (16.9%)
#2 Most Reported
Off label use
270 reports (15.0%)
#3 Most Reported
Nausea
257 reports (14.3%)

All POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS Side Effects by Frequency

Side Effect Reports % of Total Deaths Hosp.
Drug ineffective 304 16.9% 38 183
Off label use 270 15.0% 121 206
Nausea 257 14.3% 138 170
Constipation 218 12.1% 121 129
Abdominal pain 187 10.4% 121 116
Vomiting 178 9.9% 127 106
Hyponatraemia 174 9.7% 129 111
Macular degeneration 159 8.8% 0 63
Abdominal distension 144 8.0% 131 84
General physical health deterioration 139 7.7% 123 81
Dyspnoea 137 7.6% 66 114
Ventricular fibrillation 137 7.6% 137 84
Stress 127 7.1% 121 68
Somnolence 126 7.0% 93 101
Anaemia 124 6.9% 80 113
Ascites 124 6.9% 123 70
Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome 124 6.9% 124 70
Sepsis 124 6.9% 123 69
Appendicitis 123 6.8% 123 70
Appendicolith 123 6.8% 123 70

Who Reports POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS Side Effects? Age & Gender Data

Gender: 35.6% female, 64.4% male. Average age: 68.9 years. Most reports from: CA. View detailed demographics →

Is POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS Getting Safer? Reports by Year

YearReportsDeathsHosp.
2007 1 0 1
2009 6 0 1
2010 2 0 1
2011 24 1 1
2012 3 1 1
2013 2 0 1
2014 37 6 13
2015 30 10 11
2016 48 5 16
2017 68 2 11
2018 100 7 81
2019 93 8 44
2020 163 83 108
2021 84 44 18
2022 88 12 53
2023 50 1 12
2024 93 6 30
2025 36 1 34

View full timeline →

What Is POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS Used For?

IndicationReports
Product used for unknown indication 842
Constipation 667
Off label use 38
Nutritional supplementation 37
Bowel preparation 31
Iron deficiency 28
Colonoscopy 25
Foetal exposure during pregnancy 12
Pain 7
Gastrointestinal disorder 5

POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS vs Alternatives: Which Is Safer?

POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS vs POLYMYXIN B POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS vs POLYMYXIN B\TRIMETHOPRIM POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS vs POLYVINYL ALCOHOL\POVIDONE POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS vs POMALIDOMIDE POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS vs POMALYST POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS vs PONATINIB POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS vs PONATINIB\PONATINIB POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS vs PONESIMOD POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS vs PORACTANT ALFA POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS vs PORFIMER

Official FDA Label for POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS

Official prescribing information from the FDA-approved drug label.