MACROGOLS ARE INERT POLYMERS OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL WHICH SEQUESTER FLUID IN THE BOWEL; GIVING FLUID WITH MACROGOLS MAY REDUCE THE DEHYDRATING EFFECT SOMETIMES SEEN WITH OSMOTIC LAXATIVES. IN CHILDREN WITH FAECAL IMPACTION, AN ORAL PREPARATION CONTAINING MACROGOLS IS USED TO CLEAR FAECAL MASS AND TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN SOFT WELL-FORMED STOOLS.
USED IN PHARMA INDUSTRY AS WATER SOLUBLE BASES FOR TOPICAL PREPARATIONS AND SUPPOSITORIES, SOLVENT AND VEHICLES, AS SOLUBILISING AGENTS, TABLET BINDERS, FILM COATINGS ETC.THEY HAVE SOME ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES ALSO.