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Common name
Duphalac (lactulose)
Description
(Lactulose) is a type of sugar. It is broken down in the large intestine into mild acids that draw water into the colon, which helps soften the stools. Lactulose is used to treat chronic constipation.
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Active Ingredients:
Lactulose
Therapeutic actions:
Duphalac solution contains the active ingredient lactulose, which is a type of medicine called an osmotic laxative. In treating constipation lactulose works by increasing the water content and volume of the stools in the bowel, making them softer and easier to pass. Lactulose is made up of sugar molecules and is broken down by the bacteria that live in the lower part of the gut. This leads to the contents of the gut becoming more acidic, which reduces the absorption of a chemical called ammonia. The presence of ammonia in the gut causes water to be drawn into the lower bowel.
This increases the amount of water in the stools, softening them and making them easier to pass, thus relieving constipation. It can take up to 48 hours for the lactulose to have an effect.
What is it used for?:
(Indications:)
Duphalac is used to treat:
• Constipation.
• Impairment of brain function caused by severe liver disease such as cirrhosis (hepatic encephalopathy and hepatic coma).
Contraindications and cautions:
You should not use this medication if you are on a special diet low in galactose (milk sugar).
Before taking Duphalac, tell your doctor if you have:
• diabetes;
• People with a blockage in their gut (intestinal obstruction).
• Inherited inability to metabolise galactose in the diet (galactosaemia).
• If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take lactulose.
• FDA pregnancy category B.
This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether lactulose passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Side effects:
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
• Excess gas in the stomach and intestines (flatulence).
• Abdominal cramps.
• Diarrhea.
• Stomach pain;
• Nausea, vomiting.
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug is manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Interactions:
It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.
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