Lactulose is an osmotic laxative used to treat chronic constipation in patients of all ages, available over the counter in various oral forms. It works by retaining water in the intestine through osmosis, leading to softer stools, with a recommended dosage varying by age. Caution is advised for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, alongside monitoring for potential side effects and interactions.

1. Name: Ibrahim Saruvaan Faculty Of Health Sciences
Student ID: 39779 Maldives National University

2. • Use in pregnancy
• Use in Brest feeding
• Routes of Administration
• Preparations Available
• Storage Requirements
• Schedule
• Dosage and Counseling
Introduction
• Naming of the drug
• Classification of the drug
• Mechanism of action
• Indications
• Precautions
• Contraindications
• Side effects
• Interactions
 Lactulose is used in the treatment of chronic constipation in
patients of all ages as a long-term treatment.
 Lactulose is a synthetic disaccharide in solution form for oral
administration.

3. Name Of The Drug
 Generic Name
Lactulose
 Brand Name (91 Brands on CIMS India)
Constulose®
 Chemical Name
4-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-D-fructofuranose

4. Classification or Group
• lactulose , Belongs to the class of osmotically acting laxatives. Used in
the treatment of constipation.

5. Explanation of Action
 Lactulose is used in the treatment of chronic constipation
 Lactulose is a disaccharide that is not absorbed in the intestine
 It is not broken down by human enzymes, and thus stays in the
digestive bolus through most of its course
• causing retention of water through osmosis leading to
softer, easier to pass stool.

6.  Osmosis a process by which molecules of a solvent tend to pass
through from a less concentrated solution into a more concentrated
one, thus equalizing the concentrations on each side.
 Onset- 48 hr.
 Metabolism – Lactulose Metabolize in Colons
 Excretion- Faces, urine (as unchanged drug)

7. Indications
 Constipation

8. Precautions
• Monitor electrolyte imbalance.
• Lactose intolerance

9. Contra Indications
 Galactosaemia.
 intestinal obstruction.

10. Side-Effects
 Diarrhoea (dose-related),
 Nausea,
 Vomiting,
 Hypokalemia,
 Abdominal cramps.
 Potentially Fatal

11. Interactions
• May prevent release of mesalazine in the colon
• Decreased effect with antacids.

12. Use In Pregnancy
• Category B: Either animal-reproduction studies have not
demonstrated a foetal risk
• There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Lactulose
should only be given during pregnancy when need has been
clearly established.

13. Use In Brest Feeding
• There are no data on the excretion of lactulose into
human milk. While the manufacturer recommends
cautious use during lactation

14. Routes of Administration
 Oral

15. Preparations Available
• Oral Solution
• Powder for Oral Solution

16. Storage Requirements
• Store at room temperature between (15-30 degrees C)
• Keep away from light and moisture
• Keep away from children

17. Schedule
• It is an OTC Medicine in Maldives
• It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines

18. Dosage and Counseling
Adult above 18 years 15 mL twice daily
Adjusted according
to response
Child under 1 year 2.5 mL twice daily,
Child 1–5 years 2.5–10 mL twice daily
Child 5–18 years 5–20 mL twice daily,
• May be taken with or without food. May be taken
with meals to reduce GI discomfort. Dilute with
water, milk, or fruit juice to improve taste.

19. Additional Information's
• Lactulose use as a food additive to improve taste, promote intestinal health
and promote intestinal transit time.

20. Summary
• Lactulose is a osmotic laxative used for Consitipation
• Avalable Over the counter
• Water retention in Intestine increase due to its osmotic pressure
– Softening of fecal occurs
• It is available as oral solutions
• Category B in pregnancy

21. Reference
• British National Formulary. (2011). Royal Pharmaceutical Socity.
• India, C. (2015). lactulose. Retrieved 04 11, 2015, from Cims India:
http://www.cimsasia.com/India/drug/info/lactulose/?type=brief&mtype=generic

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