Polyethylene Glycol-induced Hypersensitivity in Adenocarcinoma Patient

A BSTRACT Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are used in a wide range of products, ranging from household products to cosmetics, industries, and medications. It functions as an excipient in a wide variety of formulations. Although PEG is typically thought to be physiologically inert, incidences of moderate to potentially fatal immediate-type PEG hypersensitivity are being documented more frequently. Yet, due to a widespread lack of caution about excipients and inadequate product labeling, knowledge of PEG’s allergic potential is still limited. Anecdotal accounts are the only source of information on initial responses to PEG, and this likely understates the risk of PEG sensitization and cross-sensitization to PEGylated medicines and structurally similar compounds. Here, we present a case of PEG-induced hypersensitivity in the cancer patient. PEG was given to the patient for bowel clearance before surgery and after its consumption patient had vomiting, restlessness, choking sensations, and itching. He was managed with aninjection pheniramine and dexamethasone. Such adverse drug reactions due to PEG are rarely observed and reported. It is of utmost importance to take patient’s allergic history before treating with medication containing PEG as an excipient as well as as a when it is used as laxative.