Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Laxative 3350 was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use for chronic treatment of constipation. Known as Miralax, this treatment’s approval was spearheaded by research done in part by the University of South Alabama division of gastroenterology.

Drs. Jack A. DiPalma, director of the USA Center for Digestive Health, and Jorge L. Herrera, assistant director for the center, participated in the study alongside researchers at Braintree Laboratories, Inc., of Braintree, Massachusetts.

The study was recently included in the American Journal of Gastroenterology and concluded that PEG laxative is safe and effective for treating chronic adult constipation for up to six months.

Constipation is a troublesome problem. Overall, nearly 37 million Americans report being affected by constipation to some degree. About 4.5 million Americans report that they are constipated most of the time. This research represents one of the few studies available examining treatment of chronic constipation.