Polyethylene glycol 3350 — uses, what it looks like & warnings

Uses

What the official label says Polyethylene glycol 3350 is used for

Polyethylene glycol 3350 is an over-the-counter osmotic laxative. The label provided here is short.

The label says it relieves occasional constipation (irregularity).

Purpose (from the over-the-counter label): Osmotic Laxative

Read the label's “Indications and usage” section (verbatim)

• relieves occasional constipation (irregularity) • generally produces a bowel movement in 1 to 3 days

Names & forms

Brand names, forms and strengths

Brand names (from RxNorm; not every brand is still sold): ClearLax, Comfortlax, Dulcolax Osmotic, Gavilax, GentleLax, HealthyLax, Miralax, PureLax.

Generic name: polyethylene glycol 3350 · RxNorm ID (RxCUI): 221147

Forms and strengths of Polyethylene glycol 3350 listed in RxNorm
Form	Strengths listed in RxNorm
Powder for Oral Solution	3350 17000 MG

Strengths are listed so you can recognise a product — not as dosing information. Only your prescriber can decide what is right for you.

Appearance

What Polyethylene glycol 3350 looks like

Appearance of Polyethylene glycol 3350 products from DailyMed product data
Strength	Form	Colour	Shape	Size	Imprint	Score	Labeler
polyethylene glycol 3350 17 g per 17 g	powder, for solution	white	—	—	—	—	Cardinal Health 110, LLC. dba Leader

From the product data in each manufacturer's label on DailyMed. Many companies make Polyethylene glycol 3350, so your medicine may look different from any shown here. If a pill looks unfamiliar, ask your pharmacist before taking it.

Read the label's “How supplied” section (verbatim)

Other information • store at 20˚-25˚C (68˚-77˚F) • tamper-evident: do not use if printed foil seal under cap is missing, open or broken Inactive ingredients none

Safety

Important warnings for Polyethylene glycol 3350

In plain English, the label's key warnings include:

The label says not to use it if you are allergic to polyethylene glycol, and not to use it if you have kidney disease except under a doctor's advice and supervision.
It says to ask a doctor before use if you have nausea, vomiting, or belly pain, a sudden change in bowel habits that lasts over two weeks, or irritable bowel syndrome, and to ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you take a prescription drug.
The label says loose, watery, more frequent stools may happen.
It says to stop use and ask a doctor if you have rectal bleeding, if nausea, bloating, cramping, or belly pain gets worse, if you get diarrhea, or if you need a laxative for longer than the label states. These may be signs of a serious condition.
If pregnant or breastfeeding, the label says to ask a health professional before use. Keep it out of reach of children.

Warnings and precautions (verbatim excerpt)

Allergy alert: Do not use if you are allergic to polyethylene glycol Do not use if you have kidney disease, except under the advice and supervision of a doctor Ask a doctor before use if you have • nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain • a sudden change in bowel habits that lasts over 2 weeks • irritable bowel syndrome Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking a prescription drug When using this product you may have loose, watery, more frequent stools Stop use and ask a doctor if • you have rectal bleeding or your nausea, bloating, cramping or abdominal pain gets worse. These may be signs of a serious condition. • you get diarrhea • you need to use a laxative for longer than 1 week If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use. Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away (1-800-222-1222).

This is not a complete list of warnings or side effects. Read the full label and talk to your prescriber or pharmacist. To report a side effect to the FDA, use MedWatch.

Resources

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Polyethylene glycol 3350: frequently asked questions

+What is Polyethylene glycol 3350 used for?

The label says polyethylene glycol 3350 is an osmotic laxative that relieves occasional constipation.

+What are the most important warnings for Polyethylene glycol 3350?

The label says not to use it if you are allergic to polyethylene glycol or have kidney disease, unless a doctor advises it. It says to stop and ask a doctor if you have rectal bleeding, worsening belly symptoms, or diarrhea, because these may be signs of a serious condition.

+What side effects are listed on the Polyethylene glycol 3350 label?

The label says you may have loose, watery, more frequent stools. It does not list other side effects. The full label has more details, and your pharmacist can explain it.

+Who should not take Polyethylene glycol 3350, according to the label?

The label says people who are allergic to polyethylene glycol should not use it. People with kidney disease should not use it except under a doctor's advice and supervision.

+What does Polyethylene glycol 3350 look like?

Appearance depends on the manufacturer and strength. Examples from DailyMed product data: polyethylene glycol 3350 17 g per 17 g powder, for solution from Cardinal Health 110, LLC. dba Leader: white. Your medicine may look different — always confirm with your pharmacist.

+Can Polyethylene glycol 3350 be delivered to my home?

Many prescriptions can be filled by licensed mail-order pharmacies and delivered to your home; whether that is possible for a particular medicine depends on the medicine, your prescriber, your state and your coverage. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist. Our prescription delivery guide explains how home delivery generally works.

Sources

Label text is quoted from the Cardinal Health 110, LLC. dba Leader label (label version effective September 22, 2026), retrieved October 20, 2026. Other manufacturers' labels for the same medicine may differ in wording.

The plain-English summaries were generated by software from the label text above and have not been reviewed by a clinician. If anything here differs from the label that came with your medicine, follow your label and your pharmacist.