LACTULOSE

Indications & Dose:

Constipation; portal-systemic encephalopathy

Adult

• Constipation: PQ 15 30 ml twice daily Adjustable according to response; increase to 60 ml qd if necessary

• Portal systemic encephalopathy: PO 30 50 ml tid qid, adjust dose to .Produce 2 3 soft stools/day; PR mix 300 ml lactulose with 700 ml water, instill 180 ml via rectal balloon catheter and retain for 30 60 min, repeat q4 6h 

Child

• Constipation: PO 7.5 ml qd after breakfast

• Portal systemic encephalopathy: PO 40 90 ml/day divided tid qid; adjust dose to produce 2 3 soft stools/day

Infant

• Portal systemic encephalopathy: PO 2.5  l0 ml/day divided tid qid; adjust dose to produce 2 3 soft stools/day

Contraindications:

Patients requiring a low galac-tose diet

Side Effects:

Cautions:

Precautions:

Electrocautery procedures (may spark explosion), diabetes

Pregnancy; breast feeding risk to fetus and the newborn negligible

Interaction:

Labs

• False increase: Serum creatinine 

Warnings:

Adverse Effects:

Lactations:

Special Precautions:

Counselling:

Side Effects Or Adverse Reactions:

GI: Abdominal discomfort, belching, diarrhea, flatulence, gaseous distension, nausea, vomiting

Patient And Carer Advice: