Lactulose is used to treat chronic or occasional constipation. It softens stools and improves bowel movements. It also reduces ammonia levels in patients with liver disease, preventing or treating confusion, drowsiness, or coma caused by Hepatic Encephalopathy.
Lactulose works locally in the gut. For constipation, it pulls water into the colon which softens the stool and promotes bowel movements. For hepatic encephalopathy, it reduces ammonia in the blood by converting it into a non-toxic form that is excreted in the stool.
For constipation, the initial dose is 15-30 mL daily and the maintenance dose is 10-20 mL daily, adjusted based on response. For hepatic encephalopathy, the initial dose is 30-45 mL 3-4 times daily, adjusted to produce 2-3 soft stools daily. Lactulose can be taken with or without food.
Common side effects of Lactulose include bloating, gas, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea with high doses. Serious adverse effects include severe dehydration or electrolyte imbalance due to prolonged diarrhea, and worsened abdominal pain or bloating.
Lactulose should not be used in cases of severe or unknown bowel obstruction or in patients with a rare inherited disorder called galactosemia. It should be used with caution in patients with gastrointestinal issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or galactose intolerance. Prolonged use or high doses may cause dehydration and imbalances in sodium and potassium.
Lactulose is used to treat chronic or occasional constipation. It softens stools and improves bowel movements. It also reduces ammonia levels in patients with liver disease, preventing or treating confusion, drowsiness, or coma caused by Hepatic Encephalopathy.
Lactulose works locally in the gut. For constipation, it pulls water into the colon which softens the stool and promotes bowel movements. For hepatic encephalopathy, it reduces ammonia in the blood by converting it into a non-toxic form that is excreted in the stool.
For constipation, the initial dose is 15-30 mL daily and the maintenance dose is 10-20 mL daily, adjusted based on response. For hepatic encephalopathy, the initial dose is 30-45 mL 3-4 times daily, adjusted to produce 2-3 soft stools daily. Lactulose can be taken with or without food.
Common side effects of Lactulose include bloating, gas, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea with high doses. Serious adverse effects include severe dehydration or electrolyte imbalance due to prolonged diarrhea, and worsened abdominal pain or bloating.
Lactulose should not be used in cases of severe or unknown bowel obstruction or in patients with a rare inherited disorder called galactosemia. It should be used with caution in patients with gastrointestinal issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or galactose intolerance. Prolonged use or high doses may cause dehydration and imbalances in sodium and potassium.
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