Provide a valuable resource to your clients or customers by linking to this resource page. Just place the following link on your website.
Lactulose is a prescription synthetic disaccharide supplied as an oral solution, commonly at 10 g per 15 mL. Current U.S. labels include products for constipation and separate products for prevention and treatment of portal-systemic encephalopathy. Some encephalopathy products can also be administered rectally.
read more about lactulose ...Colonic bacteria break lactulose down into organic acids. The resulting osmotic effect draws water into the colon and promotes bowel movements. Colonic acidification also shifts ammonia toward ammonium, reducing absorption of ammonia from the intestine in portal-systemic encephalopathy.
Lactulose is used for constipation under current laxative labeling and for prevention or treatment of portal-systemic encephalopathy under separate prescription labeling. Products containing galactose are contraindicated in patients who require a low-galactose diet.
For constipation, a usual adult dose is 15 mL to 30 mL once daily and can increase to 60 mL daily if needed. For portal-systemic encephalopathy, the usual adult oral dose is 30 mL to 45 mL three or four times daily and is adjusted to produce two or three soft stools each day.
Lactulose can cause gas, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Excessive dosing can lead to fluid loss, hypokalemia, and hypernatremia. Persistent diarrhea requires dose reduction or discontinuation.
Current U.S. labels include constipation and prevention or treatment of portal-systemic encephalopathy.
A usual adult dose is 15 mL to 30 mL daily, with an increase to 60 mL daily when needed.
The oral dose is adjusted to produce two or three soft stools each day.
Yes. Excessive diarrhea can cause fluid loss, low potassium, and high sodium.
DailyMed - LACTULOSE solution. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=df62ad54-5aba-4d05-e053-2a95a90aa48d. Date Accessed October 8, 2026.
Lactulose. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK618289/. Date Accessed October 8, 2026.
Lactulose. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682338.html. Date Accessed October 8, 2026.
Lactulose. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Lactulose. Date Accessed October 8, 2026.
Lactulose. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536930/. Date Accessed October 8, 2026.