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Lactulac, a prescription drug, is manufactured in various forms such as Syrup. It is primarily used for the treatment of Constipation. Lactulac also has some secondary and off-label uses. These are listed below.
The correct dosage of Lactulac depends on the patient's age, gender, and medical history. Individual symptoms and route of administration also determines the right dosage. Refer to the dosage section for a detailed discussion.
Some other side effects of Lactulac have been listed ahead. Such side effects of Lactulac normally do not last long and go away once the treatment is completed. Please speak with your doctor if these side effects worsen or persist for a longer duration.
In addition, Lactulac's effect is Safe during pregnancy and Mild for lactating mothers. Warnings related to Lactulac's effects on the liver, heart and kidney, if any, have been listed below.
Individuals suffering from medical conditions like Galactosemia must refrain from the use of Lactulac since this can cause severe adverse effects. Other contraindications of Lactulac have been discussed in the sections ahead.
Additionally, Lactulac may also adversely react with other medicines. A complete list of these interactions is given below.
In addition to the above precautions for Lactulac, it is important to know that it is safe while driving, and is habit-forming.
Lactulac is used to treat the following -
Main Benefits
Other Benefits
This is the usual dosage recommended in most common treatment cases. Please remember that every patient and their case is different, so the dosage can be different based on the disease, route of administration, patient's age and medical history.
Find the right dosage based on disease and age
Age Group | Dosage |
Adult |
|
Geriatric |
|
13 - 18 years (Adolescent) |
|
Is the use of Lactulac safe for pregnant women?
Lactulac is safe to take during pregnancy.
Is the use of Lactulac safe during breastfeeding?
Lactulac has been seen to have minimal side effects on breastfeeding women.
What is the effect of Lactulac on the Kidneys?
Using Lactulac does not have any harmful effects on kidneys.
What is the effect of Lactulac on the Liver?
There are no any side effects of Lactulac on the liver.
What is the effect of Lactulac on the Heart?
There are no any side effects of Lactulac for the heart.
Lactulac should not be taken with following medicines due to severe side effects it may cause to patients -
Moderate
If you are suffering from any of the following diseases, you should not take Lactulac unless your doctor advises you to do so -
Is this Lactulac habit forming or addictive?
Lactulac is not addictive in nature.
Is it safe to drive or operate heavy machinery when consuming?
Yes, it is safe to do these activities or work after taking Lactulac as it does not make you drowsy.
Is it safe?
Yes, but consume Lactulac only on doctor's advice.
Is it able to treat mental disorders?
There is no benefit of taking Lactulac for mental disorders.
Interaction between Food and Lactulac
Taking Lactulac with food does not cause any problems.
Interaction between Alcohol and Lactulac
No research has been done on this till date. Therefore, it is not known what the effect of taking Lactulac with alcohol will be.
Lactulac is available in the form of liquid to be taken orally. For the management of constipation, it is usually, taken once a day and for the management of a liver disease, it is usually taken 3 to 4 times a day. It is important to take the quantity exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Taking higher or the lower dose may have an adverse effect, therefore, one should always be compliant with the prescription label or doctor's recommendation.
Yes, Lactulac can be used in children. Constipation is one of the highly prevalent problems in childhood. In children above 6 months of age, dietary modifications are recommended for the prevention and management of constipation, however, if there is no respite, osmotic laxatives such as lactulose have been found to be effective.
Yes, Lactulac can be used for the prevention of stroke. It gets fermented in the intestine and in the process, a large amount of hydrogen is produced which acts as an anti-oxidant and thus, prevents stroke. However, a large number of studies is still required to validate the association.
Older people frequently suffer from constipation. The osmotic laxatives like Lactulac find a place in their therapy, however, some of the side effects associated with these agents are abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and flatulence. These side effects are present because Lactulac is converted to carboxylic acids like acetic acid, lactic acid and formic acid by the intestinal bacteria. Further, the patients may also develop a disliking to the sweet taste of the Lactulac.
No, Lactulac doesn't cause kidney failure. In fact, it can be used in patients struggling with chronic kidney diseases. Patients with chronic kidney disease struggle with detoxification. Lactulac can considerably reduce the levels of serum urea and creatinine. It can also reduce uric acid levels.
This medicine data has been created by -
B.Pharma, Pharmacy
5 Years of Experience
References
April Hazard Vallerand, Cynthia A. Sanoski. [link]. Sixteenth Edition. Philadelphia, China: F. A. Davis Company; 2019: Page No 739
KD Tripathi. [link]. Seventh Edition. New Delhi, India: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers; 2013: Page No 676