Lactulose
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Overview
| Image:Lactulose.svg | |
| Lactulose
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| Systematic (IUPAC) name | |
| 4-O-(beta)-D-Galactopyranosyl-D-fructofuranose | |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | |
| ATC code | A06 |
| PubChem | |
| DrugBank | |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | C12H22O11 |
| Mol. mass | 342.296 g/mol |
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | Poorly absorbed |
| Metabolism | 100% in colon by enteric bacteria |
| Half life | 1.7-2 hours |
| Excretion | Faecal |
| Therapeutic considerations | |
| Pregnancy cat. |
B(US) |
| Legal status |
P(UK) |
| Routes | Oral |
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Ongoing Trials on Lactulose at Clinical Trials.gov Clinical Trials on Lactulose at Google
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US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Lactulose
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Patient resources on Lactulose Discussion groups on Lactulose Directions to Hospitals Treating Lactulose Risk calculators and risk factors for Lactulose
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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.
Constipation
In the treatment of chronic constipation, its metabolites draw water into the bowel, causing a cathartic effect through osmotic action.
It can be especially useful for negating the constipating effects of opiates and opioids.
It can be also useful for treating children that withhold their bowel movements out of fear.
Lactulose has an overly sweet taste that can be completely masked by mixing it with fruit juice or desserts. It can take 24 to 48 hours to work, but generally produces results within 4 hours if taken on a daily basis. It is best taken at breakfast along with a bowl of bran cereal.
Hepatic encephalopathy
In treating hepatic encephalopathy, lactulose helps "draw out" ammonia (NH3) from the body. The effectiveness of lactulose is somewhat controversial, and whether or not its effects are through ammonia is controversial as well. Lactulose is metabolized in the colon by bacterial flora to short chain fatty acids, acidifying the colonic contents. This favors the formation of the nonabsorbable NH4+ from NH3, trapping NH3 in the colon and effectively reducing plasma NH3 concentrations.
Side effects
Common side effects are abdominal cramping, gas, borborygmus and embarrassing flatulence. Less common side effects are nausea and vomiting. Excessively high dosage can cause explosive and uncontrollable diarrhea. In sensitive individuals, such as the elderly or people with reduced kidney function, excess dosage can result in dehydration and high sodium levels.
Brand names
- Generlac®
- Cephulac®
- Cholac®
- Constilac®
- Enulose®
- Acilac®
- Heptalac®
- Actilax®
- Duphalac®
- Kristalose®
- Apo-Lactulose
References
- Medline Plus
- Deglin, J. H., & Vallerand A. H. (2003). Lactulose. In Davis's drug guide for nurses (9th ed.) (pp. 589-590). Philadelphia:F. A. Davis.
- Actilax / Lactulose Virtual Cancer Centre
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Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
