Clinical trial · Interventional
Miralax (PEG 3350) vs. Golytely as Bowel Preparation for Screening Colonoscopy
A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Efficacy and Patient Tolerability of Miralax (PEG 3350) vs. Golytely as Bowel Preparation for Screening Colonoscopy
- Source
- ClinicalTrials.gov
- Retrieved
- Sep 8, 2026
- Layer
- normalized (units and labels harmonized; values unchanged)
- Run
- ING-CLINICALTRIALS-20260908-000001
Summary
Brief summary (as posted)
A major limitation to the widespread acceptance of colonoscopy as a procedure to screen for colorectal cancer is the laxative preparation. Phosphate-based preps (e.g. Fleets Phosphosoda) are now used on a limited basis because of their known association with renal injury. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) mixed with a balanced electrolyte solution (e.g. Golytely) has been used for over two decades for colon cleansing. The mixture is not very palatable due to the electrolyte additives which include sodium sulfate. To overcome the limitation of existing preps, gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons worldwide have been using PEG powder alone (same quantity as found in Golytely prep) not mixed with electrolytes (Glycolax or Miralax) and dissolving this into 64 ounces of Gatorade. Conservatively, we estimate that 25% of colonoscopies in the US are being done with this prep. Anecdotally there have been reports (case series) that it is far more palatable and the prep is equally efficacious. The active ingredient, PEG, is not changed and therefore this is not surprising. The issue at present is that there has never been a blinded study to confirm these claims. This study will compare the efficacy of the two preps. There is no funding. The investigators will charge insurance companies for the prep - this is our current practice. The procedures will be done on healthy individuals referred for colon cancer screening and the exam will be billed to their insurance. There will be no patient honorarium. The investigators will check electrolytes to be sure patients do not develop hypokalemia with the Gatorade prep.
Conditions
Conditions (1)
Free-text conditions as registered, with the CancerIndex entity they were reconciled to and the match type.
| Condition (as posted) | Mapped entity | Match | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colon Cancer | Malignant Colon Neoplasm | CURATED_EXACT | 0.92 |
Interventions
Interventions (2)
| Intervention | Type | Mapped drug | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golytely 4 liters | Drug | — | UNRESOLVED |
| PEG-3350 and Gatorade | Drug | — | UNRESOLVED |
Design
Arms and outcomes
Arms (2)
- type
- EXPERIMENTAL
- label
- PEG-3350 and Gatorade
- description
- 255 miralax with 64 oz gatorade.
- interventionNames
- Drug: PEG-3350 and Gatorade
- type
- ACTIVE_COMPARATOR
- label
- Golytely 4 Liters
- description
- Golytely 4 Liters
- interventionNames
- Drug: Golytely 4 liters
Primary outcomes (1)
- measure
- Boston Prep Scale
- timeFrame
- photographs were taken throughout the colonoscopy and reviewed within 1 month after procedure.
- description
Eligibility
Eligibility (as posted)
- Sex
- All
- Minimum age
- 40 Years
- Maximum age
- 75 Years
Show eligibility criteria text
Inclusion Criteria: All adults undergoing average risk colon cancer screening (ages 40-75 years old) •Able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * A history of constipation * Patients who use medications to assist with a bowel movement such as osmotic, stimulant, or cathartic laxatives (including "colon cleansers") * Diabetes or glucose intolerance * Patients with severe underlying renal or hepatic impairment * Pregnant women - pregnancy test performed on all menstruating women before procedure.
References
Publications (1)
- RESULTMcKenna T, Macgill A, Porat G, Friedenberg FK. Colonoscopy preparation: polyethylene glycol with Gatorade is as safe and efficacious as four liters of polyethylene glycol with balanced electrolytes. Dig Dis Sci. 2012 Dec;57(12):3098-105. doi: 10.1007/s10620-012-2266-5. Epub 2012 Jun 19. PMID 22711499