magnesium citrate + polyethylene glycol

Magnesium citrate + polyethylene glycol is a combination osmotic laxative regimen used primarily for bowel cleansing prior to diagnostic procedures such as colonoscopy or colon capsule endoscopy. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a high-molecular-weight, non-absorbable polymer that acts as an osmotic agent, retaining water within the intestinal lumen to increase stool volume and soften fecal matter. Magnesium citrate is a saline laxative that further increases osmotic pressure, drawing water into the intestines and stimulating peristalsis. This combination is often employed to achieve thorough colonic lavage while reducing the total volume of PEG solution required, thereby improving patient compliance and tolerability compared to high-volume PEG-only regimens. It has been studied for optimizing bowel preparation in specific populations, including patients with ulcerative colitis and those with spinal cord injuries.

Other names

PEG + magnesium citratepolyethylene glycol solution and magnesium citratePEG-ELS + magnesium citrate