Important: This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not recommend or prescribe any treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Quick facts
- Drug class
- Osmotic Laxative [EPC], Osmotic Activity [MoA]
- How it is given
- oral
- Type
- human otc drug
- Brand names
- purelax
- RxNorm ID
- 876193
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
Use • relieves occasional constipation (irregularity) • generally produces a bowel movement in 1 to 3 days
Do not use if
Do not use if you have kidney disease, except under the advice and supervision of a doctor
Warnings
Warnings 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).
Ask a doctor before use if
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
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking a prescription drug
When using this medicine
When using this product you may have loose, watery, more frequent stools
Stop use and see a doctor if
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
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.
Storing it safely
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
Keeping it away from children
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).
Active ingredient
Active ingredient (in each dose) Polyethylene Glycol 3350, 17 g (cap filled to line)
Before you take anything new
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about every medicine you take — including ones bought without a prescription, herbal products and supplements. Interactions are one of the most common avoidable causes of harm from medicines, and a pharmacist can check your full list in a couple of minutes.
This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 21 March 2025. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.