Instructions on How to Use Polyethylene Glycol 8000

With PEGs, hemoglobin levels remain between 10 and 12 g/dL.

Polyethylene glycol 8000 (methoxypolyethlene glycol) is a chemical used in the medical field to prevent colorectal cancer in animals called Carbowax. The chemical reaction is HOCH2CH2OH + n(CH2CH2O) ' HO(CH2CH2O)n+1H. Scientists would label this PEG 8000, referring to the weight of the polymer. This goes by the brand name Mircera for humans as a treatment for anemia associated with chronic renal failure.

Instructions

Dosage Instructions

1. In humans, begin by getting blood levels simulated by using the Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent (ESA) for two weeks before starting the actual dosage of Mircera. This decreases oxygen to the kidneys. The stimulation occurs in the bone marrow in approximately seven stages. To help with this stimulation take vitamin B-12 and folic acid while maintaining a hemoglobin range between 10 and 12 g/dL. To achieve a favorable result, your doctor may prescribe erythropoietin as well.

2. Watch your hemoglobin carefully. A 1g/dL difference signals a change in dosage. A change in dosage should only occur once a month. Every two weeks to one month you need a new injection. Inject an IV in your abdomen, arm or thigh. Whenever the hemoglobin level reaches 12, you need to reduce the dosage. Let 25 percent be your guide in increasing or decreasing the dosage amount.

3. Continue treatments regularly to insure that your health improves. Reschedule missed appointments immediately and return to the prescribed dosage. You may need transfusions if your hemoglobin range changes too much.

Tips & Warnings

• In rats and mice, studies showed very favorable results. Rats fed the PEGs showed a wide reduction in tumors, and the tumors were smaller than those in the controls. Because of the good success scientists saw in the rat study, and because PEG appears safe here, scientists want to try it out on humans. PEGs have chemical reactions that prevent cancer successfully at least in animals.

• During the stimulation process sludging, thrombosis or stroke can occur. Sludging occurs when the movement of blood cells slows clumping together and leading to more serious problems like stroke and thrombosis. Thrombosis and/or stroke may occur from a lack of enough oxygen to an already diseased cell. Thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms inside of a blood vessel and leads to obstruction of in the circulatory system. That obstruction can lead to a stroke or heart attack. Iron deficiency can occur, monitor closely for the first few month of treatment. Take supplemental iron if the iron level goes below 100 or if your serum transferring saturation is less than 20 percent.

References

• Drugs.com Methoxypolyethylene glycol
• Polyethylene glycol: chemical product information for CHEMINDUSTRY.RU
• D. E. Corpet, G. Parnaud, M. Delverdier, G. Peiffer and S. Tache (2000). "Consistent and Fast Inhibition of Colon Carcinogenesis by Polyethylene Glycol in Mice and Rats Given Various Carcinogens". Cancer Research 60 (12): 3160--3164.