Comparison of a low dose polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution with lactulose for treatment of chronic constipation.
BACKGROUND
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350 is a non-absorbable, non-metabolised osmotic agent used in lavage solutions for gut cleansing.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy 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 difference 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 efficacy and no serious toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
Low dose PEG 3350 was more effective than lactulose and better tolerated.
Attar
A
A
Service de Gastroentérologie, Hôpital Saint-Lazare, Paris, France.
Lémann
M
M
Ferguson
A
A
Halphen
M
M
Boutron
M C
MC
Flourié
B
B
Alix
E
E
Salmeron
M
M
Guillemot
F
F
Chaussade
S
S
Ménard
A M
AM
Moreau
J
J
Naudin
G
G
Barthet
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002400:Cathartics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007792:Lactulose / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002400:Cathartics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D007792:Lactulose; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate