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Polyethylene Glycol 1450

Medically reviewed by Last updated on Apr 6, 2022.

Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)

What is it?

Polyethylene glycol, referred to as PEG, is used as an inactive ingredient in the pharmaceutical industry as a solvent, plasticizer, surfactant, ointment and suppository base, and tablet and capsule lubricant. PEG has low toxicity with systemic absorption less than 0.5%.

PEGylation occurs when PEGs are attached to various protein medications, allowing for greater solubility for certain drugs. Examples of PEGylated medications include PEG-interferon alpha (Pegintron) and PEG-filgrastim (Neulasta). PEG is also available as a bowel prep for colonoscopy procedures and as a laxative.[1]

PEG 400 indicates the average molecular weight of the specific PEG at 400.[2] PEG 3350 is a laxative available over-the-counter by the name of Miralax. In this case, PEG is considered an active ingredient, even though systemic absorption is less than 0.5%.

Top medications with this excipient


  2. ThermoScientific. PEG (Polyethylene Glycol) Reagents Accessed 08/19/2011

Further information
