polyethylene glycol + lactulose

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) combined with lactulose is a combination therapy used primarily for bowel preparation before colonoscopy and for the treatment of constipation, particularly in patients with chronic constipation. This combination has shown better efficacy than PEG alone in bowel cleansing, with fewer adverse reactions such as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The combination is also used in the management of hepatic encephalopathy, where it has demonstrated improved outcomes compared to lactulose alone. The mechanism of action combines the effects of both medications: - Polyethylene glycol works as an osmotic laxative by binding water in the intestinal lumen, increasing stool volume and stimulating bowel movements. - Lactulose is a non-absorbable sugar that is metabolized by colonic bacteria to produce organic acids, which acidify the colon contents, drawing water into the bowel and stimulating peristalsis. In hepatic encephalopathy, lactulose also helps trap ammonia in the colon by converting it to non-absorbable ammonium ions, reducing blood ammonia levels.

Other names

PEG + lactulose