Myths about PEG 3350 Laxatives and Children
Myth 1: They are approved for children. They're not; this is an adult-only medicine.
Myth 2: My doctor says they're safe, so they must be. Doctors are prescribing PEG laxatives to children "off-label," meaning not for their intended use.
Myth 3: They're ok to take in smaller doses. Children are not small adults; per the FDA, adjusting adult medication doses by weight can be dangerous.
Myth 4: They're ok to take long term. Even in adults, they're not approved for longer than 7 days' use. Long term use has never been studied in adults or children.
Myth 5: PEG 3350 is a harmless sugar. PEG 3350 is made from petroleum, not sugar. It is a chain of ethylene glycol molecules.
Myth 6: PEG passes through the body without being absorbed. Studies show it is absorbed, some say up to 4%. The FDA says it is unknown how much is absorbed, especially in children. See our page on absorption.
Myth 7: PEG 3350 is not related to antifreeze. Not true, ethylene glycol (EG) and diethylene glycol (DEG), the main ingredients in antifreeze were found in 8 lots of PEG 3350 tested by the FDA. A study is also being conducted by the FDA to see how PEG 3350 could be breaking down into EG and DEG in children. See our page on breakdown and impurities.
Myth 8: Any behavior/neurological changes I see in my child while on PEG 3350 laxatives are age-appropriate and have nothing to do with the medication. This is what doctors will assume before they know to also research the connection between behavior changes and PEG 3350. Most parents report that what they considered PEG 3350-related adverse events disappeared after discontinuing PEG 3350 (although others report lingering effects).
Myth 9: PEG 3350 has been studied for neuropsychiatric effects in children. PEG 3350 neuropsychiatric effects have never been studied. The study the FDA granted in response to our citizen petition has been delayed.
Myth 10: Constipated children cannot poop without PEG 3350. Members of the Parents against Miralax, Restoralax, Movicol Facebook group share their stories and what is working for them.
Myth 1: They are approved for children. They're not; this is an adult-only medicine.
Myth 2: My doctor says they're safe, so they must be. Doctors are prescribing PEG laxatives to children "off-label," meaning not for their intended use.
Myth 3: They're ok to take in smaller doses. Children are not small adults; per the FDA, adjusting adult medication doses by weight can be dangerous.
Myth 4: They're ok to take long term. Even in adults, they're not approved for longer than 7 days' use. Long term use has never been studied in adults or children.
Myth 5: PEG 3350 is a harmless sugar. PEG 3350 is made from petroleum, not sugar. It is a chain of ethylene glycol molecules.
Myth 6: PEG passes through the body without being absorbed. Studies show it is absorbed, some say up to 4%. The FDA says it is unknown how much is absorbed, especially in children. See our page on absorption.
Myth 7: PEG 3350 is not related to antifreeze. Not true, ethylene glycol (EG) and diethylene glycol (DEG), the main ingredients in antifreeze were found in 8 lots of PEG 3350 tested by the FDA. A study is also being conducted by the FDA to see how PEG 3350 could be breaking down into EG and DEG in children. See our page on breakdown and impurities.
Myth 8: Any behavior/neurological changes I see in my child while on PEG 3350 laxatives are age-appropriate and have nothing to do with the medication. This is what doctors will assume before they know to also research the connection between behavior changes and PEG 3350. Most parents report that what they considered PEG 3350-related adverse events disappeared after discontinuing PEG 3350 (although others report lingering effects).
Myth 9: PEG 3350 has been studied for neuropsychiatric effects in children. PEG 3350 neuropsychiatric effects have never been studied. The study the FDA granted in response to our citizen petition has been delayed.
Myth 10: Constipated children cannot poop without PEG 3350. Members of the Parents against Miralax, Restoralax, Movicol Facebook group share their stories and what is working for them.