December 12, 2019: What Have You Observed in Practice?
Following publication of the August 2019 issue of its safety bulletin, ISMP Canada has received reports from practitioners across the country regarding the interaction between polyethylene glycol (PEG) laxatives and thickeners.Although ISMP Canada cannot independently verify the information provided, several of the reports align with findings included in the bulletin: first, that mixing a PEG laxative with a prethickened starch-based fluid led to thinning of the end product, and second, that mixing a PEG laxative and water with a xanthan gum-based thickener resulted in the expected thickening of the end product. However, we also received a report of inconsistent thickening even with a xanthan gum-based thickener.
Health Canada received a similar signal for the interaction between PEG laxative and starch-based thickeners and is working with manufacturers toward a label update. No signal was received for an interaction between PEG laxative and xanthan gum-based thickeners.
We want to know what you’ve observed in practice
Has a xanthan gum-based thickener been a good alternative in your practice? Tell us about your experiences at info@ismp-canada.org.
