How much does polyethylene glycol (PEG) cost?
PEG pricing varies widely because “polyethylene glycol” covers many products with different molecular weights (for example, PEG 3350, PEG 400, PEG 8000) and different uses (bulk chemical, pharmacy laxative, eye drops, or PEG-based medicines). Cost also depends on whether you’re buying retail (small pharmacy/consumer pack sizes) or ordering in bulk (industrial/chemical suppliers).
What does price depend on (molecular weight and form)?
The most important drivers of PEG cost are:
- Molecular weight: Higher–molecular-weight PEGs are often priced differently than lower–molecular-weight grades.
- Grade/purity: Pharmacy/USP-grade materials cost more than non-pharmaceutical grades.
- Product type: PEG used as a laxative (e.g., PEG 3350 products) is typically priced differently than PEG used as an excipient/solvent in other formulations.
- Packaging and quantity: Smaller retail bottles cost far more per gram than bulk chemical orders.
Is “PEG” the same as PEG 3350 for constipation?
Not exactly. People often use “polyethylene glycol” to mean PEG 3350 when discussing constipation products, but PEG also refers to a range of related polymers. If you tell me the exact product name (or molecular weight, such as PEG 3350 or PEG 400) and the form (powder, solution, eye drops, etc.), I can narrow down the expected price range.
Where to check current prices
For real-time pricing, you’ll typically need to compare:
- Pharmacy listings (for PEG-laxative brands)
- Chemical suppliers (for bulk PEG grades)
- Medical-supply/ophthalmic retailers (for PEG-based eye lubricants)
If you share your location (country) and which PEG (e.g., “PEG 3350 for constipation” vs “bulk PEG 400”), I can help you estimate a more relevant cost range.