What is PEG?

[medicmommy]

Here's a sobering thought...Did you know the PEG in Pegasys (pegalated interferon) is an abbreviation? It stands for Poly Ethelyne Glycol! Yup. The same ingredient used in antifreeze...Check out Chemocare.com if you don't believe me! It's no wonder so many of us have some pretty awful sides...                                 ~Melinda

[IAmTheWalrus]

Thanks for pointing that out, Bill. I had read the same a few weeks ago.

FormerDPAddict

[Marcia2202]

Good to see you! Thanks for bringing some perspective to our crazy tx brains....

LOL....

Marcia

[Bill1954]

I believe there’s a very substantial difference between Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) and Ethylene Glycol (Monoethylene Glycol, MEG).

PEG: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene_glycol
MEG: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene_glycol

The former is used for manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and Dr. Pepper (of all things) as an antifoaming agent :o). Ethylene Glycol is the toxic ingredient in automotive in antifreeze.

Not that I often resort to using Dr. Pepper as an endorsement, but I have a hunch that if they used antifreeze in soft drinks, we’d be worse off than we already are already :o).

The two substances *sound* the same, and due to the nature of the drugs we take, it’s logical to think “what the hell, what’s a little antifreeze after all this”. I’m certainly not a chemist; perhaps someone here can explain the technical differences; but I’m virtually positive they’re different critters.

Bill

[fretboard]

Guess you are right!  I had to look it up which you mentioned in your post, that's ok I can hang.  Bring on that green mean!!  Using something like that as a buffering agent to make the interferon last longer is alot different than adding a percentage to the API for affect.  I hope my radiator is alright!!  lol  


Question: What does pegylated mean?

Answer: The term pegylated is derived from a group of chemicals called polyethylene glycols. Use of these substances in a medication has the advantage of causing the therapeutic effect to persist longer in the body than nonpegylated compounds.

[virgocharm]

rlmao

[Marcia2202]

I need a bucket full of that stuff for my feet, I promise I won't drink it.

[susan400]

Polyethylene Glycol is the chief ingredient in Miralax...., which I have to take for this other issue...   My doctor's know about it and have never said a word, so obviously it's better to be taking it for being constip., than to not take it and not be able to go.  The fiber supplements and eating fresh fruit and exercise and drinking lot's of water, have never been enough to get things...,      out of there, if you know what I mean!     During my last surgery (female wise), my colon and bladder had to be unattached from one another during the surgery and it's kind of caused me to have some problems;, so it's not just a simple, 'eat more fiber' type of issue.

Not to be be starting up a 'poopy' thread like Goofy always likes!!!     But, I wouldn't worry too much about the Poly-Glycol.

Unless you are picking up a bottle of antifreeze and drinking it; of course!

Susan400

[Marcia2202]

Maybe I should start injecting it into my feet instead, as they are constantly frozen...

[Isobella]

ROFLMA.......maybe up your dose(not!!)

[jdwithhcv]

...so why can't I start easily on cold mornings?

[Xenigma]

LOL  It's just an ingredient in antifreeze just as it's an ingredient in Interferon.
(I think)

[Isobella]

.....and I thought we took it just to make us feel like $hi!

At least anit-freeze supposedly tastes good.  (before it kills ya)

[Xenigma]

Yes, we knew.  People also take PEG for constipation.

[fretboard]

I don't have to look it up b/c I believe you, but that's just coincidental.  I assure there isn't any antifreeze in pegalated interferon.  God Bless