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Lactulose: Constipation
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Lactulose is a synthetic sugar used in the treatment of constipation and hepatic encephalopathy, a complication of liver disease. It is a disaccharide (double-sugar) formed from one molecule each of the simple sugars (monosaccharides) fructose and galactose. The commercial syrup used for treatment of constipation is dyed yellow-orange. It is produced commercially by isomerization of lactose.
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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.
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[I]dentified in 1929, Lactulose came to prominence for the treatment of constipation in 1959. Lactulose is a synthetic sugar, which does not occur naturally. The disaccharide lactulose (galacto-fructose) is synthesised from lactose (galacto-glucose) by isomerisation of glucose to fructose. Each molecule of galactose is linked to a molecule of fructose.
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Lactulose has been used for 40 years in the treatment of constipation [10] and for more than 30 years for encephalopathy.The dosages used in PSE are up to four times higher than those usually applied in constipation. No putative or definite evidence of mutagenic, genotoxic or teratogenic effects of lactulose has been obtained in human use. Animal studies in rats and rabbits ... did not reveal any teratogenic or reproduction-toxicologic effects, and even high dosages have had no deleterious effects(6)
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Lactulose can be effective in treating chronic constipation, especially if it is taken together with a high fiber diet. The dose needs to be adjusted so that the desired stool formation and softening is obtained. It is ... effective in reversing subtle mental changes that may occur with liver cirrhosis.
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Lactulose syrup has been shown to be safe and effective for the treatment of constipation associated with pregnancy when administered to women at different stages of pregnancy. Its use during pregnancy should be on the advice of a medical practitioner.
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Constipation