Efficacy Study of Polyethylene Glycol 3350-electrolyte Solution (GoLYTELY®) Versus Lactulose in Patients With Hepatic Encephalopathy.
Efficacy Study of Polyethylene Glycol 3350-electrolyte Solution (GoLYTELY®) Versus Lactulose in Patients With Hepatic Encephalopathy.
This study is being done to find out if the laxative polyethylene glycol (also known as
 GoLYTELY® or Miralax®) can treat your hepatic encephalopathy (confusion due to your liver
 disease and/or cirrhosis) better and/or more safely than lactulose (another laxative). In
 this study, the investigators will evaluate if polyethylene glycol (GoLYTELY®) is more
 effective than lactulose on neurocognition (memory and thinking skills) and determine if it
 decreases the hospital stay.
Inclusion Criteria:

 1. Ages 18-80

 2. Male and female subjects of all races and ethnicities including Spanish speaking
 subjects

 3. Cirrhosis of any cause

 4. Any grade of hepatic encephalopathy (1-4)

 5. A legally authorized representative has to be able and willing to comply with all
 protocol procedures and to understand, sign and date an informed consent document, and
 authorize access to protected health information on the subjects behalf

 Exclusion Criteria:

 1. Acute liver failure

 2. Structural brain lesions (as indicated by computed tomography imaging if available and
 confirmed by neurological exam)

 3. Other causes of altered mental status (i.e. not meeting the definition of hepatic
 encephalopathy)

 4. Previous use of rifaximin or neomycin in past 7 days

 5. Prisoners

 6. Pregnancy

 7. <18 years old

 8. Serum sodium <125 mEq/L

 9. Receiving > 1 dose of lactulose prior to enrollment

 10. Uncontrolled infection with hemodynamic instability requiring vasopressors