Lactulose
Description
Lactulose is a laxative used to treat constipation. It makes it easy for you to pass your stool by softening it. It is also used to treat or prevent hepatic encephalopathy, which is a type of brain damage caused due to the inability of the liver to remove toxins from the blood.
Lactulose can cause side effects like diarrhoea, stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting etc. Consult your doctor if these side effects are worsening or bothering you. Monitor your electrolyte levels while taking this medicine.
Lactulose is available in both liquid (syrups, solutions, suspensions) and powder forms. It can be taken with or without food, as instructed by your doctor. For the ease of remembering, take this medicine at the same time every day. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting with your doctor as your symptoms could come back.
Lactulose is not recommended if you are allergic to it. Inform all your current medications and pre-existing conditions to your doctor. Your dose can be adjusted in such cases to avoid any side effects. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor first before taking this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Lactulose
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach pain and cramps
- Belching
- Flatulence
- Low potassium and magnesium
Uses of Lactulose
What is it prescribed for?
- Constipation
- Hepatic encephalopathy
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of Lactulose can be observed in 8 hours of taking it.
- Duration of effectThe duration of time for which Lactulose remains effective in your body is 2 days.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Lactulose.
- Usage in pregnancy?Lactulose is not recommended if you are pregnant as enough data is not available to understand its safety and efficiency. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Lactulose is not recommended to be taken while breastfeeding as it is not known if this medicine is present in breast milk or not. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the medicine based on your clinical condition.
Galactosemia
Galactosemia is a rare, hereditary disorder of carbohydrate metabolism that affects your body's ability to convert galactose (a sugar contained in milk) to glucose (a different type of sugar). Lactulose is not recommended if you have this genetic condition as it may worsen your condition.
Allergy
Lactulose is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, swelling and/or itching (especially of your face, lips, throat), breathing difficulty, etc.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. Signs and symptoms include cramping, stomach pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhoea or constipation, or both. Lactulose is not recommended for use if you have inflammatory bowel disease as you may experience colonic perforation (holes in your colon).
Intestinal obstruction disorders
It is a condition of your digestive system in which digested material is prevented from passing normally through the bowel. Lactulose is not recommended for use if you have intestinal obstruction disorders as it may further reduce the movement of digestive material, therefore worsening your condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Lactulose is not recommended if you are pregnant as enough data is not available to understand its safety and efficiency. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Lactulose is not recommended to be taken while breastfeeding as it is not known if this medicine is present in breast milk or not. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the medicine based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Low galactose diet
Lactulose should be used cautiously if you require a low galactose (a type of sugar) diet. This medicine can change your blood sugar levels which can affect your dietary requirement.
Electrolyte imbalance
Lactulose can cause an imbalance of potassium, magnesium, and other electrolytes levels in your body. Therefore it should be used with caution if you have any electrolyte imbalances.
Other laxatives
Lactulose is not recommended for use along with other laxatives especially when treating the symptoms of liver failure.
Antibiotics and antifungals
Lactulose should be used with caution if you are taking any antibiotics or antifungal medicines as it may reduce the efficacy of this medicine.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose of Lactulose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose then the missed dose can be skipped.
Overdose
Contact your doctor if an overdose with Lactulose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Ketoconazole
Azithromycin
Aluminium Hydroxide
Dexamethasone
Senna
Disease interactions
Diabetes
Lactulose should be used with caution if you have diabetes, as it may change your blood sugar levels. Appropriate dose adjustment and frequent checking of the blood glucose levels is recommended while taking this medicine.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Lactulose as instructed by the doctor. Drink plenty of water with it to avoid stomach irritation. Shake the bottle well before use. For the powder forms, mix the powder well with water before consuming it.
Do not take Lactulose in larger or smaller quantities than prescribed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Lactulose is given for a short period of time, therefore complete the whole treatment to feel better. Frequently check your blood sugar and electrolyte levels while taking this medicine.
Check the expiry date before taking Lactulose. Throw away all the unused medicine safely after the expiry date. Keep this medicine out of reach from children and pets.
Consult your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after few days of taking Lactulose.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Lactulose is a synthetic sugar and works by bringing water into the colon which makes the stool softer. It also draws ammonia from the blood into the colon which is then removed with faeces.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Laxatives
Schedule
Schedule H
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Lactulose. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 28 September 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Lactulose: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 28 September 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 28 September 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - KRISTALOSE- lactulose powder, for solution. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 28 September 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 10 Nov 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.