Lactulose
Why this is used
Lactulose is a synthetic sugar used to treat constipation. It is broken down in the colon into products that pull water out from the body and into the colon. This water softens stools. Lactulose is also used to reduce the amount of ammonia in the blood of patients with liver disease. It works by drawing ammonia from the blood into the colon where it is removed from the body. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How to take it
Lactulose comes as liquid to take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day for treatment of constipation and three or four times a day for liver disease. Your prescription label tells you how much medicine to take at each dose. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take lactulose exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Side effects
<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Lactulose may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
<ul>
<li>
diarrhea</li>
<li>
gas</li>
<li>
nausea</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you have any of the following symptoms, stop taking lactulose and call your doctor immediately:
<ul>
<li>
stomach pain or cramps</li>
<li>
vomiting</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>
<ul>
<li>
diarrhea</li>
<li>
gas</li>
<li>
nausea</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you have any of the following symptoms, stop taking lactulose and call your doctor immediately:
<ul>
<li>
stomach pain or cramps</li>
<li>
vomiting</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>
Precautions
Before taking lactulose, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to lactulose or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially antacids, antibiotics including neomycin (Mycifradin), and other laxatives. tell your doctor if you have diabetes or require a low-lactose diet. if you are having surgery or tests on your colon or rectum, tell the doctor that you are taking lactulose.
Educational reference only — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber about Lactulose.