# US 5,710,183 A · Laxative/antidiarrheal composition comprising polyethylene glycol and fiber bulking agent > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,710,183 A - Document ID: US5710183A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/502,773 - Filed: 1995-07-14 - Granted: 1998-01-20 - Earliest claimed: 1995-07-14 - Inventors: George M. Halow - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5710183A ## CPC - A61K 36/235: Foeniculum (fennel) - A61K 36/68: Plantaginaceae (Plantain Family) - A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D) ## Abstract The invention provides a composition for the improvement of bowel function comprising polyethylene glycol and, preferably, a fiber bulking agent, in, preferably, at least about equal parts by weight of polyethylene glycol; an optional wetting agent to promote solubility/dispersability of the composition in liquid medium; and an optional gas-reducing agent to counteract effects of intestinal gas production attributable to the ingestion of poorly digestible fiber. The products are quickly effective, do not compromise bowel integrity, and are suitable for long-term use in the clinical or veterinary treatment of constipation and/or diarrhea. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A composition for the improvement of bowel function comprising polyethylene glycol and a fiber bulking agent, wherein the polyethylene glycol is present in a weight ratio of polyethylene glycol to fiber of at least about 1:2 and no more than about 7:1. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein the polyethylene glycol is present in a weight ratio of polyethylene glycol to fiber of at least about 1:1. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The composition of claim 2, wherein the polyethylene glycol is a solid at about 25.degree. C. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The composition of claim 2, wherein the polyethylene glycol is a liquid at about 25.degree. C. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The composition of claim 2, wherein the fiber is psyllium fiber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The compositon of claim 2, wherein the fiber is methyl cellulose fiber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The composition of claim 3, dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous medium. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The composition of claim 3, incorporated into a foodstuff. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The composition of claim 4, dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous medium. ### Claim 10 (depends on 4) The composition of claim 4, incorporated into a foodstuff. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The composition of claim 2, further including a gas-reducing agent in an amount sufficient to counteract intestinal gas production. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The composition of claim 11, wherein the gas-reducing agent is derived from fennel seed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) The composition of claim 2, further including a wetting agent in an amount sufficient to promote dispersion of the composition in the medium. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The composition of claim 13, wherein the wetting agent is a sugar. ### Claim 15 (depends on 4) The composition of claim 4, further including a wetting agent in an amount sufficient to promote dispersion of the composition in the medium. ### Claim 16 (depends on 3) The composition of claim 3, wherein the polyethylene glycol is PEG 3350. ### Claim 17 (depends on 7) The composition of claim 7, wherein the fiber is psyllium, wherein the polyethylene glycol is present in a weight ratio of polymer to fiber of from about 5:1 to about 6:1; and wherein the composition further includes a gas-reducing agent in an amount sufficient to counteract intestinal gas production. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The composition of claim 17, wherein the gas-reducing agent is derived from fennel seed. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The composition of claim 18, further including a wetting agent in an amount sufficient to promote dispersion of the composition in the medium. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The composition of claim 19, wherein the wetting agent is a sugar. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The composition of claim 20, wherein the wetting agent is dextrose. ### Claim 22 (depends on 7) The composition of claim 7, wherein the fiber is methyl cellulose, wherein the polyethylene glycol is present in a weight ratio of polymer to fiber of from about 1:1 to about 1.5:1; and wherein the composition further includes a gas-reducing agent in an amount sufficient to counteract intestinal gas production. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The composition of claim 22, wherein the gas-reducing agent is derived from fennel seed. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The composition of claim 23, further including a wetting agent in an amount sufficient to promote dispersion of the composition in the medium. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The composition of claim 24, wherein the wetting agent is a sugar. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The composition of claim 25, wherein the wetting agent is dextrose. ### Claim 27 (depends on 3) A dosage for oral administration of the composition of claim 3, containing from about 15 to 25 g of polyethylene glycol. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The dosage of the composition of claim 27, containing about 20 g polyethylene glycol. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The dosage of claim 27, dissolved or dispersed in from about 6 to 10 fl.oz. of aqueous medium. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The dosage of claim 29, wherein the composition further contains a gas-reducing agent derived from fennel seed in an amount sufficient to counteract intestinal gas production. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The dosage of claim 30, wherein the composition further comprises a wetting agent in an amount sufficient to disperse the composition in the aqueous medium. ### Claim 32 (depends on 1) A method for improving bowel function in a mammal, comprising orally administering the composition of claim 1 to the mammal, in an amount sufficient to improve bowel motility, stool formation, or both. ### Claim 33 A method for improving bowel function in a mammal, comprising orally administering polyethylene glycol to the mammal, in an amount sufficient to improve bowel motility, stool formation, or both.