Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)

Polyethylene glycol or macrogol is an osmotic laxative that has minimal intestinal absorption. The little that can be absorbed is excreted unmetabolized in the urine. It is made of polymerss whose molecular weight is between 1,000 and 35,000 daltons. The number added to the term "macrogol" defines its molecular weight, eg: macrogol 3350. Oral administration. Another use is pegylation: it is the conjugation of drugs and therapeutic proteins with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to improve their pharmacokinetic profiles and reduce their adverse effects (see Nonacog Beta Pegol, pegaspargase, pegfilgrastim, peginterferon alfa, peginterferon beta, Rurioctocog Alfa Pegol)

It is not excreted in breast milk in detectable amount. ^{(Clowse 2017)}

Its pharmacokinetic data (almost zero oral bioavailability and high molecular weight) make it impossible to transfer significant quantities into breastmilk.

Its almost null oral bioavailability prevents its transfer to the infant’s plasma via ingested breast milk.

Experts and scientific associations, as well as the manufacturer, consider it compatible with breastfeeding. ^{(LactMed, Gharehbaghi 2016, Briggs 2015, Müller 2013, AEMPS 2010, Mahadevan 2006)}