Chemicals and Drugs

Polyethylene Glycols

Polymers of ETHYLENE OXIDE and water, and their ethers. They vary in consistency from liquid to solid depending on the molecular weight indicated by a number following the name. They are used as SURFACTANTS, dispersing agents, solvents, ointment and suppository bases, vehicles, and tablet excipients. Some specific groups are NONOXYNOLS, OCTOXYNOLS, and POLOXAMERS.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Polymers of ETHYLENE OXIDE and water, and their ethers. They vary in consistency from liquid to solid depending on the molecular weight indicated by a number following the name. They are used as SURFACTANTS, dispersing agents, solvents, ointment and suppository bases, vehicles, and tablet excipients. Some specific groups are NONOXYNOLS, OCTOXYNOLS, and POLOXAMERS.

MeSH Record

Classification

Related Concepts

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Drug Class

Pharmacological Action

MeSH Record

Synonyms

16 entry terms
  • Macrogol
  • Macrogols
  • Polyethylene Glycol
  • Polyethylene Oxide
  • Polyethyleneoxide
  • Polyglycol
  • Polyoxyethylenes
  • Glycol, Polyethylene
  • Glycols, Polyethylene
  • Oxide, Polyethylene
  • Oxides, Polyethylene
  • Polyethylene Oxides
  • Polyethyleneoxides
  • Polyglycols
  • Polyoxyethylene
  • Carbowax

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

18 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, analysis, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, economics, history, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity.

MeSH Record

History Note

74; TRITONS was heading 1975-82, was see under AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS 1975-78, was see under SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENTS 1963-74

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Polyethylene Glycols. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D011092. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D011092
  2. Polyethylene Glycols. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene_glycol
  3. Polyethylene Glycols. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q410083