Polyethylene glycol 3350

Alternative Names: GoLytely

GoLYTELY is a bowel-cleansing solution commonly used to prepare the colon before procedures like a colonoscopy. It contains polyethylene glycol and electrolytes, which work by pulling water into the intestines and flushing out stool without significantly disturbing the body’s electrolyte balance. The solution is typically taken in large volumes over several hours, leading to frequent watery bowel movements that clear the colon. Because of the amount that must be consumed, some patients find it difficult to drink due to the taste or volume. Despite this, it remains a reliable and widely used option for bowel preparation before medical procedures.

Treatment Type: Prescription Medication

Treatment Class: N/A

Treatment Modality: Oral

Review Summary

5.0

1 Reviews

Preferred by 1 Reviewers

# Summary Polyethylene glycol 3350 (GoLYTELY) is highly effective for constipation, particularly for severe cases when other medications have failed. It works by flushing large amounts of fluid through the intestines and is described as "strong and reliable." The main drawback is that it requires drinking a large volume of solution which can be unpleasant, though it is usually very effective at producing results.

This summary was generated by users' reviews

Breakdown by Category

Each categories are rated on a 1–5 scale, with 5 being the most favorable outcome and 1 being the least. These scores are averaged across all user reviews to provide a clear sense of how this treatment typically performs in each area.

Cost
5.0
1 = Very Expensive 5 = Very Affordable

5.0

Very Affordable
Relief Speed
4.0
1 = No Relief 5 = Immediate Relief

4.0

Fast Relief
Side Effects
3.0
1 = Intolerable Effect 5 = No Effect

3.0

Moderate Effect
Treatment Line
1.0
1 = Third-line or more 5 = First-line

1.0

Third-line or more

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5.0

1 Reviews
5
100%
4
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3
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2
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1
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AI Summary of User Experiences

Not medical advice.

# Summary Polyethylene glycol 3350 (GoLYTELY) is highly effective for constipation, particularly for severe cases when other medications have failed. It works by flushing large amounts of fluid through the intestines and is described as "strong and reliable." The main drawback is that it requires drinking a large volume of solution which can be unpleasant, though it is usually very effective at producing results.

Reviews

Filter by reviewer type Pro

Cost
Very Expensive
$1000+
Expensive
$501 to $1000
Moderate Cost
$101 to $500
Affordable
$25 to $100
Very Affordable
$25
Relief Speed
No Relief
No noticeable improvement
Slow Relief
Several days to weeks
Moderate Relief
Within 1 - 3 days
Fast Relief
Within hours
Immediate Relief
Within minutes
Side Effect
Intolerable Side Effect
Caused treatment to stop or required hospitalization
Severe Side Effect
Difficult to tolerate, may require intervention
Moderate Side Effect
Noticeable, but manageable
Mild Side Effect
Minor, not bothersome
No Side Effect
Without any adverse effects
Treatment Line
Third-line or more
Used after second-line failed or multiple prior treatment
Second-line
Used after first-line treatment failed or was unsuitable
First-line
First treatment tried
Dr. Curbside

Dr. Curbside

Verified
Physician • Emergency Medicine • How doctors think about decisions — and what real-world experiences add
3 months ago
GoLYTELY is best known for being used as a bowel prep before colonoscopies, and it definitely lives up to the name—it will make you go a lot. It works by flushing large amounts of fluid through the intestines to clear everything out. Because of how strong and reliable it is, I sometimes think of it as a backup option for severe constipation when other medications haven’t worked. The main downside is that you have to drink a fairly large volume of the solution, and it can be a bit unpleasant, but it’s usually very effective at getting things moving.
#ReviewersPreferred #VeryAffordable #FastRelief #ModerateEffect #Third-lineOrMore #Rescue/EmergencyUse