To evaluate the efficacy of a
polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (PEG-4000) in pregnant women affected by
constipation, 40 consecutive pregnant women from 6 to 38 weeks' gestation were enrolled in this preliminary study.
Constipation was defined as spontaneous evacuation less than four times a week or the presence of symptoms such as defecation
pain, rectal urgency, tenesmus, anal injury, or
abdominal pain. A PEG-4000
solution (
Isocolan, also marketed in the United States as Golitely/Nulitely) was administered for 15 days at a dose of 250 mL by mouth once or twice a day. The number of bowel movements per week, the presence or absence of liquid stools, tenesmus, urgency, defecation
pain, anal lesions, and
abdominal pain were evaluated before and after 15 days of treatment. Treatment with PEG-4000 significantly increased the evacuation episodes per week (from 1.66 +/- 0.48 to 3.16 +/- 1.05; P <.01), and
constipation was resolved in 27 of 37 women (73%). Defecation
pain, anal injury, and
abdominal pain significantly improved after PEG-4000 administration. Improvement occurred in both patients with new-onset
constipation during pregnancy as well as patients with a history of
constipation before pregnancy. These preliminary findings indicate that PEG-4000 may be an effective choice for the treatment of
constipation during pregnancy.