Lactulose

Generic name: Lactulose (oral)
Drug class: Laxatives

Usage of Lactulose

Lactulose is used to treat chronic constipation.

Lactulose is sometimes used to treat or prevent certain conditions of the brain that are caused by liver failure. These conditions can lead to confusion, problems with memory or thinking, behavior changes, tremors, feeling irritable, sleep problems, loss of coordination, and loss of consciousness.

Lactulose may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Lactulose side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic Reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using lactulose and call your doctor at once if you have severe or ongoing diarrhea.

Common side effects of lactulose may include:

bloating, gas;

stomach pain;

diarrhea; or

nausea, vomiting.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Lactulose

You should not use lactulose if you are on a special diet low in galactose (milk sugar).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

diabetes; or

if you need to have any type of intestinal test using a scope (such as a colonoscopy).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Relate drugs

How to use Lactulose

Usual Adult Dose for Constipation -- Chronic:

15 mL orally once a day.

Usual Adult Dose for Constipation -- Acute:

Initial dose: 15 mL orally once a day. Therapy should be continued until normal bowel function resumes.

Usual Adult Dose for Hepatic Encephalopathy:

Initial dose: 30 mL orally 3 times a day or 300 mL in 700 mL water or normal saline as an enema retained for 30 to 60 minutes every 4 to 6 hours.Maintenance dose: 30 to 45 mL orally 3 times a day.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hepatic Encephalopathy:

Infants: 1.7 to 6.7 g/day (2.5 to 10 mL) orally daily divided in 3 to 4 doses. Adjust doSage to produce 2 to 3 soft stools per day.Children: 26.7 to 60 g/day (40 to 90 mL) orally daily divided in 3 to 4 doses. Adjust dosage to produce 2 to 3 soft stools per day.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Constipation -- Chronic:

Children: 0.7 to 2 g/kg/day (1 to 3 mL/kg/day) orally in divided doses daily; generally recommended not to exceed the adult maximum of 40 g/day (60 mL/day).

Warnings

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

What other drugs will affect Lactulose

Other drugs may affect lactulose, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.