Duphalac syrup 300 ml
Lactulose syrup 667 mg/ml
What is lactulose and what is it used for?
Lactulose belongs to a class of medications called "laxatives." It is used to help relieve constipation by making your stool softer and easier to pass. It works by drawing water into the intestines. It is also used in cases of hepatic encephalopathy (a decline in brain function resulting from severe liver disease) by reducing the amount of ammonia in the blood.
Do not take lactulose:
• If you are allergic to lactulose or any of the ingredients in this medicine, tell your doctor about the allergy and any signs you experience.
• If you have galactosemia (inability to digest galactose).
• If you have a blockage in your intestines.
• If you have a hole in your intestine.
• If you are unconscious or physically weak.
• If you have problems with the swallowing reflex.
• If you suffer from dehydration and lack of fluids in your body.
• If you have galactose or fructose intolerance.
• If you have problems absorbing glucose and galactose.
• If you have a lactase deficiency (an enzyme responsible for breaking down lactose).
Warnings and Precautions:
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience an allergic reaction such as shortness of breath, skin rash, swelling of the face or neck.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience unexplained abdominal pain.
• If you have diabetes (high blood glucose levels).
• If you suffer from lactose intolerance (inability to digest lactose normally).
• Make sure to drink plenty of fluids (about 2 liters of water daily) while taking this medicine. Contact your doctor if you do not feel better within a few days of using the medicine.
• You may need higher doses if you are taking this medication to treat hepatic encephalopathy (a decline in brain function resulting from severe liver disease). Therefore, your blood glucose levels may rise as a result of the increased amount of sugar absorbed into the blood. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have diabetes and liver problems so that the doses of your diabetes medications can be adjusted.
• Do not use the medicine for longer than necessary to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
• You should reduce your medication intake if you experience abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, or bloating.
• Do not give this medicine to patients under 14 years of age without first consulting a prescribing doctor.
Possible side effects of lactulose:
Possible side effects of lactulose include allergic reactions, flatulence (usually goes away after a few days), nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Other medicines and lactulose:
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any of the following medicines.
• Avoid taking other oral medications within several hours before, during, or after taking lactulose to prevent poor absorption of the drug.
• Avoid taking other laxatives at the same time to prevent excessive gastrointestinal side effects.
How to take lactulose:
Dosage for 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 initial and maintenance dose is 5-10 ml (3-7 g).
Infants under one year:
The recommended starting and maintenance dose is up to 5 ml (up to 3 g).
Hepatic encephalopathy dosage (for adults):
The recommended initial dose is 30-45 ml orally three to four times daily followed by a maintenance dose adjusted according to your response until you begin producing two or three stools daily.
• The dose can be taken as a single daily dose or divided into two daily doses.
• You can use the measuring cup included in the package to measure the dose.
• It may take a few days for the medication to start working. The maintenance dose is determined based on your response.
• You can take the medicine regardless of meals.
How to store lactulose:
• Keep this medicine out of reach of children and pets.
• Do not store the medicine above 25°C. Do not store the medicine in the refrigerator or freezer.
• Do not use the medicine after the expiry date shown on the package.
• The expiration date is the same as after opening the package.
• Store the medicine in its original package to avoid exposure to moisture.
• Do not dispose of the medicine in wastewater or household waste.