Comparison of a low dose polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution with lactulose for treatment of chronic constipation

Abstract

Background-Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350 is a non-absorbable, nonmetabolised osmotic agent used in lavage solutions for gut cleansing. Aims-To compare the eYcacy of PEG and lactulose in chronic constipation. Methods-A total of 115 patients with chronic constipation entered a multicentre, randomised, comparative trial. They initially received two sachets containing either PEG (13 g/sachet) or lactulose (10 g/sachet) and were given an option to change the dose to one or three sachets/ day, depending on response. Results-Ninety nine patients completed the trial. After four weeks, patients in the PEG group (n=50) had a higher number of stools and a lower median daily score for straining at stool than patients in the lactulose group (n=49). Overall improvement was greater in the PEG group. Clinical tolerance was similar in the two groups, but flatus was less frequently reported in the PEG group. The mean number of liquid stools was higher in the PEG group but the diVerence was significant only for the first two weeks. There were no serious adverse events and no significant change in laboratory tests in either group. At the end of the study, the number of sachets used by the patients was 1.6 (0.7)/day in the PEG group and 2.1 (0.7)/day in the lactulose group. Sixty one patients completed a further two months open study of one to three sachets PEG daily; there was no loss of eYcacy and no serious toxicity. Conclusion-Low dose PEG 3350 was more eVective than lactulose and better tolerated. (Gut 1999;44:226-230)

Yoghurt containing galacto-oligosaccharides, prunes and linseed reduces the severity of mild constipation in elderly subjects

“…However, six of the 43 subjects definitely experienced more gastrointestinal symptoms in the GOS yoghurt period than in the control yoghurt period. Indeed, gastrointestinal symptoms are common side effects of indigestible carbohydrates, which give rise to fermentation in the colon (Attar et al, 1999;Suarez et al, 1999;Cummings et al, 2001). In our earlier constipation study , gastrointestinal symptoms were not noticeably intensified in any of the subjects ingesting the GOS yoghurt.…”

Effects of the prebiotics inulin and lactulose on intestinal immunology and hematology of preruminant calves

“…It has been commonly used to treat constipation (Attar et al, 1999) or hepatic encephalopathy (Bircher et al, 1966), and has been reported to have effects similar to inulin on carcinogenesis, immunology (Schumann, 2002) or animal growth performance (Fleige et al, 2007a).…”

Cytostatic effect of polyethylene glycol on human colonic adenocarcinoma cells

“…In France and in the United States their water-holding capacity has led to their use as gentle laxatives at a dose of 10 -20 g/day. 8 PEG, given orally in food at a daily dose corresponding to 5% of the dry weight of the diet, markedly inhibits azoxymethaneinduced colon carcinogenesis in F344 rats as assessed by aberrant crypt foci number and size. 4 PEG-fed rats had 20 times fewer aberrant crypt foci and 100 times fewer large aberrant crypt foci than controls.…”