Macrogol is a chemical compound, polyethylene glycol, PEG, or 1,2-glycol produced through the reaction of ethylene oxide with water, basically non-ionic polymer of ethylene oxide. Macrogol is the international common designation (ICD) used for PEG. 

 It occurs as a fine white powder or transparent colorless liquid.

As a polyether compound it is used:

• in pharmaceutical products (soluble water base, suppositories, topical preparations) as a binding and lubricating additive for tablets, plasticizer in film coating
• in cosmetic and food products for its stabilizing properties.

It is relatively stable and non-toxic

Low molecular weight Macrogol compositions are used by the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries:

• Macrogol 300
• Macrogol 400
• Macrogol 600
• Macrogol 1000
• Macrogol 1500

Macrogol compositions commonly used by the primarily high molecular weight pharmaceutical industry are targeted for the treatment of constipation (1):

• Macrogol 3350
• Macrogol 4000
• Macrogol 6000

Macrogol 3350 and Macrogol 4000 in gastroenterology, have played an important role, while Macrogol of different molecular weights are used by the pharmaceutical industry as probes to measure mucosal permeability.

Macrogol is widely used in lipsticks, cosmetics, toothpastes with various functionalities: thickener, solvent, lubricant and in medicine inserted in intravenous injections, suppositories.

Although macrogol is generally considered biologically inert, cases of hypersensitivity have occurred (2).

Macrogol studies

Typical optimal characteristics of a commercial product

Where to buy Macrogol

• Molecular Formula:  C₁₅H₂₁ClN₂OS      (C₂H₄O)nH₂O  
• Molecular Weight: 312.9 g/mol
• CAS: 25322-68-3      15272-95-4
• UNII FZ46ONU496
• EC Number: 500-038-2
• DSSTox Substance ID:   
• MDL number  
• PubChem Substance ID 
• InChl  1S/C15H20N2OS.ClH/c1-3-17(4-2)10-9-16-15(18)14-11-12-7-5-6-8-13(12)19-14;/h5-8,11H,3-4,9-10H2,1-2H3,(H,16,18);1H
• InChI Key      TZBAVQKIEKDGFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES    CC[NH+](CC)CCNC(=O)C1=CC2=CC=CC=C2S1.[Cl-]
• IUPAC 2-(1-benzothiophene-2-carbonylamino)ethyl-diethylazanium;chloride
• Merck    14,7568 
• NSC 108963

Synonyms: 

• PEG
• Poly(ethylene glycol)
• 1,2-Ethanediol

References____________________________________________________________________

(1) De Giorgio R, Cestari R, Corinaldesi R, Stanghellini V, Barbara G, Felicani C, Di Nardo G, Cucchiara S. Use of macrogol 4000 in chronic constipation. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2011 Aug;15(8):960-6. 

Mínguez M, López Higueras A, Júdez J. Use of polyethylene glycol in functional constipation and fecal impaction. Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2016 Dec;108(12):790-806. doi: 10.17235/reed.2016.4571/2016.

(2) Wenande E, Garvey LH. Immediate-type hypersensitivity to polyethylene glycols: a review. Clin Exp Allergy. 2016 Jul;46(7):907-22. doi: 10.1111/cea.12760.