Macrogol 6000 is a PEG, a biologically inert mixture of long, linear, non-absorbable, non-metabolizable ethylene glycol polymers.
The name defines the structure of the molecule:
- Macrogol is a name for polyethylene glycol (PEG), which is a polymer of ethylene oxide. The basic repetitive unit of PEG is -O-CH2-, derived from ethylene oxide (C2H4O).
- 6000 refers to the average molecular weight of the polymer that contains a sufficient number of repeating units of ethylene oxide to achieve an average molecular weight of 6000 g/mol. Since the molecular weight of the repeating unit (ethylene oxide) is about 44 g/mol, this means that there are on average about 136 repeating units in each molecule of Macrogol 6000.
Description of the raw materials used in its production:
- Ethylene Glycol is a key raw material for the synthesis of Macrogol 6000. It is a diol used in the production of polyethylene glycols.
The synthesis process takes place in different steps:
- The process begins with ethylene oxide, a cyclic ether. This compound is highly reactive due to tension in the three-member ring.
- Ethylene oxide is reacted with a small amount of water in a process known as ring-opening polymerization. This reaction is catalyzed by a strong base or acid.
- The water molecule attacks the ethylene oxide, causing the ring to open and ethylene glycol to form.
- This process is repeated many times, with each new ethylene oxide molecule being added by reacting with the hydroxyl group at the end of the growing polymer chain.
- The reaction goes on until the polymer has reached the desired average molecular weight, in this case 6000.
It occurs as a fine white powder, white flakes or clear colorless liquid.
What it is used for
- Suppository Base - Macrogol 6000 can be used in the production of suppositories as an excipient.
- Coating Agent - Used to coat tablets to enhance their release properties or appearance.
- Solvent and Vehicle - In pharmaceutical preparations, it can act as a solvent or vehicle for active ingredients.
- Osmotic Laxative - When taken orally, it can act as a laxative by drawing water into the intestines and facilitating bowel movement.
- Plasticizing Agent - Used in pharmaceutical formulations to make tablets more pliable or malleable.
It is normally used for the treatment of constipation in children although recent studies have preferred lactulose (1) or electrical stimulation of the colon especially in the presence of Parkinson's disease (2).
Macrogol 6000 is an excipient commonly used for the preparation of solid-dispersion tablets because of its solubilizing, surface absorption properties. Macrogols in general are widely used as carriers because of some peculiar positive characteristics: low melting point, rapid solidification the ability to form solid drug solutions (3).
Caratteristiche tipiche ottimali del prodotto commerciale Macrogol 6000
| Appearance | White flakes or powder |
| Boiling point | >250°C |
| Melting point | 55.0°C to 60.0°C |
| Refractive index | n20/D 1.469 |
| Viscosity | 220-262 mPa.s (20°C) |
| Water solubility | H2O: 50 mg/mL |
| Flash point | 270 °C |
| Purity | 99% |
| pH | 5-7 |
| Hydroxyl Value: | 17 to 20mg KOH/g |
| Loss on drying | ≤2.0% |
| Shelf life | 2 years |
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- Formula molecolare: C15H21ClN2OS (C2H4O)nH2O
- Molecular Formula: C15H21ClN2OS H(OCH2)NOH H(OCH2CH2)nOH
- Molecular Weight: 312.9 g/mol
- CAS: 25322-68-3 15272-95-4
- UNII
- EC Number: 500-038-2
- DSSTox Substance ID:
- MDL number MFCDO1779614
- 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
- ChEBI
Synonyms:
- Benzo(b)thiophene-2-carboxamide, N-(2-(diethylamino)ethyl)-, monohydrochloride
Where to buy Macrogol 6000
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A premise on PEG
Since the PEG family is numerous and is found in many cosmetic, cleaning and medicinal products and others, we need a cognitive premise on the subject that is rather complex from the point of view of safety because these products not only come into contact with the skin but, as in the case of medicine, they are also ingested.
PEG or polyethylene glycols polymerise the condensed ethylene oxide and water and are called polyethylene glycols, but in reality, they are complex chemical components, polymers bound together. For example, plastic is polyethylene and has a hard consistency, while polyethylene aggregated to the glycol forms a liquid.
The number that appears after the initials PEG represents the molecular weight and the higher this number is, the less it penetrates the skin.
Here below are some studies in Medicine that refer to the use of PEG Polyethylene glycol in various fields.
Intestine
Polyethylene glycol with or without electrolytes is effective for the treatment of functional constipation, both in adults and in paediatric patients, with great safety and tolerability. These preparations are the most effective osmotic laxatives (more than lactulose) and are the first-line treatment for functional constipation in the short- and long-term. They are as effective as enemas in faecalomas, avoid the need for hospitalisation and are well tolerated by patients (especially when given without electrolytes) (4).
In the preparation for colonoscopy, polyethylene glycol tablets confirmed efficacy, acceptability, tolerance and safety similar to those of sodium phosphate (5).
For peripheral nerve repair (6).
Eyes
Dry eye syndrome is a disorder that affects 5-34% of the world's adult population with reduced quality of life. Artificial or lubricating tears are the most used therapy for treating this condition due to their low side effects profile, which attempt to modify the properties of the tear film. Polyethylene glycol has demonstrated clinical efficacy in the treatment of this condition (7).
Brain
Polyethylene glycol facilitates the neuroprotective effects of magnesium in head injuries (8).
Tumours
For transarterial chemoembolization, Polyethylene glycol is effective and safe for the treatment of liver cancer, as indicated by good tolerability, quality of life and high tumour response (9).
Cosmetics
Many types of PEG are hydrophilic and are used as creams, topical dermatological preparations and in cosmetic products such as surfactants, emulsifiers, detergents, humectants and skin conditioners.
Safety varies from type to type given the structural complexity (10).
