Indications:

• Lactulose is a drug that belongs to a class of medications called laxatives.
• It is used to help relieve constipation by making the stools softer and easier to pass.
• It works by drawing water into the intestines.
• It is used in hepatic encephalopathy (a decline in brain function that occurs as a result of severe liver disease) by reducing blood ammonia.
• Constipation is generally a symptom in which the bowel movement is less than three times a week.
• Constipation is very common, however, some people suffer from chronic constipation which can interfere with their ability to carry out their daily tasks.
• Chronic constipation also causes people to strain to defecate.

How to use:

_ Dosage in stool softening and constipation:

• Adults and adolescents: The recommended starting dose is 15-45 mL (10-30 g) followed by a maintenance dose of 15-30 mL (10-20 g).
• Children (7-14 years): The recommended starting dose is 15 mL (10 g) followed by a maintenance dose of 10-15 mL (7-10 g).
• Children (1-6 years): The recommended starting and maintenance dose is 5-10 mL (3-7 g).
• Infants under 1 year: The recommended starting and maintenance dose is up to 5 mL (up to 3 g).

Dosage in hepatic encephalopathy (adult):

_ The recommended initial dose is 30-45 mL orally three to four times daily followed by a maintenance dose:

• Adjust the dose depending on your response until you start producing 2-3 stools per day.
• The dose may be taken as a single daily dose or it may be divided into two daily doses.
• You can use the measuring cup that comes with the bottle to measure your dose.
• It may take a few days for the medicine to start working. The maintenance dose is determined based on your response.
• You can take the medicine regardless of meals.
• Dosages may be changed in some cases

side effects:

• Flatulence (it goes away after a few days).
• nausea.
• Belly pain.
• Diarrhea.
• vomiting.

Pregnancy and lactation:

• If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
• It is a safe laxative during pregnancy.

Non-drug tips:

• Drink plenty of water.
• Eat plenty of fiber.
• It is recommended to move more.
• Eat foods that contain probiotics or take a probiotic supplement.
• Regularity in going to the bathroom.

Warnings and Precautions:

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you develop allergic reactions such as shortness of breath, skin rash, swelling of the face or neck, low blood pressure, and dizziness.
• Diabetes (high blood glucose levels)
• If you suffer from lactose intolerance (the inability to digest the sugar lactose normally).
• Call your doctor if you do not feel relief within several days of using the medicine.
• You may need higher doses if you are taking this medicine to treat hepatic encephalopathy (a decrease in brain function that occurs as a result of severe liver disease). Therefore, blood glucose levels can rise as a result of the higher amount of sugar being absorbed into the blood.
• Be sure to tell your doctor if you have diabetes and liver problems in order to adjust the doses of your diabetes medications.
• Do not use the medication for longer than necessary to prevent dehydration.
• Avoid taking other laxatives at the same time to prevent excessive gastrointestinal side effects.

Preservation method:

• Store at a temperature below 25°C.
• Do not cool the medicine in the refrigerator.
• Keep this medicine away from children.
• Store in the original box.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton.
• The expiration date refers to the last day of the month.