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GaviLyte-G (Polyethylene Glycol & Electrolytes): Side Effects, Uses, Dosage, Interactions, Warnings

GaviLyte-G

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Last updated on RxList: 5/22/2023

Drug Summary

What Is GaviLyte-G?

GaviLyte-G (PEG-3350, sodium sulfate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and potassium chloride) is a combination of an osmotic laxative and electrolytes indicated for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy and barium enema X-ray examination.

GaviLyte-G is the generic of GoLytely.

What Are Side Effects of GaviLyte-G?

GaviLyte-G may cause serious side effects including:

  • hives,
  • difficulty breathing,
  • swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat,
  • vomiting blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds,
  • chest pain,
  • fainting,
  • fast or irregular heartbeat,
  • sudden shortness of breath,
  • severe of persistent stomach pain,
  • bloody stools,
  • rectal bleeding,
  • seizures,
  • little or no urine, and
  • severe dizziness

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Common side effects of GaviLyte-G include:

  • nausea,
  • abdominal fullness,
  • bloating,
  • abdominal cramps,
  • vomiting, and
  • anal irritation.

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

  • Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
  • Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out;
  • Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

  • Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
  • Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out;
  • Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for GaviLyte-G

The recommended oral adult dose is 4 liters of GaviLyte-G solution prior to gastrointestinal examination. No solid food should be consumed 3-4 hours before drinking the solution.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with GaviLyte-G?

GaviLyte-G may interact with oral medication administered within one hour of the start of administration of GaviLyte-G solution, antacids, medicines for blood pressure or heart problems, medicines for kidney problems, medicines for depression, water pills (diuretics), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), or laxatives. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

GaviLyte-G During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using GaviLyte-G; it is unknown if it will affect a fetus. It is unknown if GaviLyte-G passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

GaviLyte-G (PEG-3350, sodium sulfate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and potassium chloride) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

Description for GaviLyte-G

GaviLyte-G is a white powder in a 4 liter jug tor reconstitution, containing 236 g polyethylene glycol 3350, 22.74 g sodium sulfate (anhydrous), 6.74 g sodium bicarbonate, 5.86 g sodium chloride and 2.97 g potassium chloride. When dissolved in water to a volume of 4 liters, GaviLyfe-G (PEG-3350 (236g) and Electrolytes for Oral Solution, USP) is an isosmotic solution, for oral administration, having a mildly salty taste. GaviLyte-G is administered orally or via nasogastric tube as a gastrointestinal lavage.

Uses for GaviLyte-G

GaviLyte-G is indicated for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy and barium enema X-ray examination.

Dosage for GaviLyte-G

The recommended dose for adults is 4 liters of GaviLyte-G solution prior to gastrointestinal examination, as ingestion of this dose produces a satisfactory preparation in over 95% of patients. Ideally, the patients should fast for approximately three or four hours priorto GaviLyte-G administration, but in no case should solid food be given for at least two hours before the solution is given.

GaviLyte-G is usually administered orally, but may be given via nasogastric tube to patients who are unwilling or unable to drink the solution. Oral administration is at a rate of 240 mL (8oz.) every 10 minutes, until 4 liters are consumed or the rectal effluent is clear. Rapid drinking of each portion is preferred to drinking small amounts continuously. Nasogastric tube administration is at the rate of 20 to 30 mL per minute (1.2 to 1.8 liters per hour). The first bowel movement should occur approximately one hour after the start of GaviLyte-G administration.

Various regimens have been used. One method is to schedule patients for examination in midmorning or later, allowing the patients three hours for drinking and an additional one hour period for complete bowel evacuation. Another method is to administer GaviLyte-G on the evening before the examination, particularly if the patient is to have a barium enema

Preparation Of The solution

GaviLyte-G is prepared by filing the container to the 4 liter mark with water and shaking vigorously several times to ensure that the ingredients are dissolved. Dissolution is facilitated by using lukewarm water. The solution is more palatable if chilled before admin istration. The reconstituted solution should be refrigerated and used within 48 hours. Discard any unused portion.

HOW SUPPLIED

GaviLyte-G is supplied in a disposable jug, in powdered form, for oral administration as a solution following reconstitution. Each jug has the attached lemon flavor pack, in powdered form, for the addition of the flavor packet by the pharmacist priorto dispensing.

Disposable Jug: polyethylene glycol 3350 236 g, sodium sulfate (anhydrous) 22.74g, sodium bicarbonate 6.74 g, sodium chloride 5.86 g, potassium chloride 2.97 g and lemon flavor pack 2 g (optional). When made up to 4 liters volume with water, the solution contains PEG-335017.6 mmol/L, sodium 125 mmol/L, sulfate 40 mmol/L, chloride 35 mmol/L, bicarbonate 20 mmol/L and potassium 10 mmol/L

Storage

Store in sealed container at 59°-86°F. When reconstituted, keep solution refrigerated. Use within 48 hours. Discard unused potion,

NDC 43386-090-19

Manufactured by: Novel Laboratories, Inc., Somerset, NJ 08873. Distributed by: GAVIS Pharmaceuticals, LLC., Somerset, NJ 08873. Revised: 2012

Side Effects for GaviLyte-G

Nausea, abdominal dullness and bloating are the most common adverse reactions (occurring in up to 50% of patients) to administration of GaviLyte-G. Abdominal cramps, vomiting and anal irritation occur less frequently. These adverse reactions are transient and subside rapidly. Isolated cases of urticaria, rhinorrhea, dermatitis and (rarely) anaphylactic reaction have been reported which may represent allergic reactions.

Published literature contains isolated reports of serious adverse reactions following the administration of PEG-ELS products in patients over 60 years of age. These adverse events include upper Gl bleeding from Mallory-Weiss Tear, esophageal perforation, asystole, sudden dyspnea with pulmonary edema, and “butterfly-like” infiltrates on chest X-ray after vomiting and aspirating PEG.

Drug Interactions for GaviLyte-G

Oral medication administered within one hour of the start of administration of GaviLyte-G may be flushed from the gastrointestinal tract and not absorbed.

Warnings for GaviLyte-G

The lemon flavor pack is for use only in combination with the contents of the accompanying 4 liter container. No additional ingredients, e.g. flavorings, should be added to the solution. GaviLyte-G should be used with caution in patients with severe ulcerative colitis.

Precautions for GaviLyte-G

General

Patients with impaired gag reflex, unconscious, or semiconscious patients, and patients prone to regurgitation or aspiration should be observed during the administration of GaviLyte-G, especially if it is administered via nasogastric tube. If a patient experiences severe bloating, distention or abdominal pain, administration should be slowed or temporarily discontinued until the symptoms abate. It gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation is suspected, appropriate studies should be performed to rule out these conditions before administration of GaviLyte-G.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility

Carcinogenic and reproductive studies with animals have not been performed.

Pregnancy

Category C

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with GaviLyte-G. It is also not known whether GaviLyte-G can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproductive capacity. GaviLyte-G should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.

Overdose Information for GaviLyte-G

No information provided.

Contraindications for GaviLyte-G

GaviLyte-G is contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to any of the components. GaviLyte-G is contraindicated in patients with gastrointestinal obstruction, gastric retention, bowel perforation, toxic colitis, toxic megacolon or ileus.

Clinical Pharmacology for GaviLyte-G

GaviLyte-G induces a diarrhea which rapidly cleanses the bowel, usually within four hours. The osmotic activity of polyethylene glycol 3350 and the electrolyte concentration result in virtually no net absorption or excretion of ions or water. Accordingly, large volumes may be administered without significant changes in fluid or electrolyte balance.

Patient Information for GaviLyte-G

GaviLyte-G produces a watery stool which cleanses the bowel before examination. Prepare the solution according to the instructions on the bottle. It is more palatable if chilled. For best results, no solid food should be consumed during the 3 to 4 hour period before drinking the solution, but in no case should solid foods be eaten within 2 hours of taking GaviLyte-G.

Drink 240 mL (8oz.) every 10 minutes. Rapid drinking of each portion is better than drinking small amounts continuously. The first bowel movement should occur approximately one hour after the start of GaviLyte-G administration. You may experience some abdominal bloating and distention before the bowels start to move. If severe discomfort ordistention occur, stop drinking temporarily or drink each portion at longer intervals until these symptoms disappear. Continue drinking until the watery stool is clear and free of solid matter. This usually requires at least 3 liters and it is best to drink all of the solution. Any unused solution should be discarded.

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