Lactulose (lactulose)
Laxatives Oral Solution, Oral
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
Overview
Lactulose, a synthetic derivative of lactose, is an ammonia detoxicant.
USES: This drug is used by mouth or rectally to treat or prevent complications of liver disease (hepatic encephalopathy). It does not cure the problem, but may help to improve mental status. Lactulose is a colonic acidifier that works by decreasing the amount of ammonia in the blood.
It is a man-made sugar solution.
Generic name: lactulose
Pronunciation: (LACK-tew-lohss)
Drug class: Laxatives
Therapeutic class: Gastrointestinal Therapy Agents
Reference product & biosimilars
No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.
Today’s intelligence on Lactulose
Indications
The following indications are listed for Lactulose:
- Constipation
- Hepatic Encephalopathy
- Hyperammonemia
Also known as: Abnormally Elevated Blood Ammonia, Ammonemia, Portal Systemic Encephalopathy.
Dosing
Each 15 mL of commercially available lactulose solution provides approximately 10 g of the drug; corresponding doses provided by 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 30, 40, 45, 90, 150, and 300 mL of the commercial solution are approximately 1.67, 3.3, 5, 6.67, 20, 27, 30, 60, 100, and 200 g, respectively. Following reconstitution of the oral powder as directed, a 10 or 20 g dose is provided by the total volume.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
| Drug label | Dosing type | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Lactulose 10 Gm/15 Ml Soln Cup | Maintenance | Take 30 milliliters (20 gram) by oral route 3 times per day. |
| Lactulose 20 Gm/30 Ml Soln Cup | Maintenance | Take 30 milliliters (20 gram) by oral route 3 times per day. |
| Lactulose 10 Gm/15 Ml Solution | Maintenance | Take 30 milliliters (20 gram) by oral route 3 times per day. |
| Drug label | Dosing type | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Lactulose 10 Gm/15 Ml Solution | Maintenance | Take 30 milliliters (20 gram) by oral route 3 times per day. |
| Lactulose 10 Gm/15 Ml Soln Cup | Maintenance | Take 30 milliliters (20 gram) by oral route 3 times per day. |
| Lactulose 20 Gm/30 Ml Soln Cup | Maintenance | Take 30 milliliters (20 gram) by oral route 3 times per day. |
Drug interactions
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.
There are no severe interactions for this drug.
There are no moderate interactions for this drug.
Contraindications
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
- Appendicitis
- Galactosemia
- Gastrointestinal obstruction
- Glucose-galactose malabsorption
There are no severe contraindications for this drug.
- Diabetes mellitus
Adverse reactions
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no severe adverse reactions for this drug.
Less Frequent
- Abdominal pain with cramps
- Diarrhea
- Flatulence
- Polydipsia
Precautions
No enhanced messaging available.
No enhanced messaging available.
Use of lactulose during pregnancy has not been studied in humans. Reproduction studies in rats, mice, and rabbits receiving oral lactulose doses up to 6 times the usual human oral dose have not revealed evidence of harm to the fetus. Lactulose should be used during pregnancy only when clearly needed.
It is not known if lactulose is distributed into milk. The drug should be used with caution in nursing women.
No enhanced messaging available.
ICD codes
| Code | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Constipation | ||
| K59.0 | ICD10CM | Constipation |
| K59.00 | ICD10CM | Constipation, unspecified |
| K59.01 | ICD10CM | Slow transit constipation |
| K59.03 | ICD10CM | Drug induced constipation |
| K59.04 | ICD10CM | Chronic idiopathic constipation |
| K59.09 | ICD10CM | Other constipation |
| Hepatic encephalopathy | ||
| B15.0 | ICD10CM | Hepatitis A with hepatic coma |
| B16.0 | ICD10CM | Acute hepatitis B with delta-agent with hepatic coma |
| B16.2 | ICD10CM | Acute hepatitis B without delta-agent with hepatic coma |
| B17.11 | ICD10CM | Acute hepatitis C with hepatic coma |
| B19.0 | ICD10CM | Unspecified viral hepatitis with hepatic coma |
| B19.11 | ICD10CM | Unspecified viral hepatitis B with hepatic coma |
| B19.21 | ICD10CM | Unspecified viral hepatitis C with hepatic coma |
| K70.41 | ICD10CM | Alcoholic hepatic failure with coma |
| K71.11 | ICD10CM | Toxic liver disease with hepatic necrosis, with coma |
| K72.01 | ICD10CM | Acute and subacute hepatic failure with coma |
| K72.11 | ICD10CM | Chronic hepatic failure with coma |
| K72.90 | ICD10CM | Hepatic failure, unspecified without coma |
| K72.91 | ICD10CM | Hepatic failure, unspecified with coma |
| K76.82 | ICD10CM | Hepatic encephalopathy |
| Hyperammonemia | ||
| B15.0 | ICD10CM | Hepatitis A with hepatic coma |
| B16.0 | ICD10CM | Acute hepatitis B with delta-agent with hepatic coma |
| B16.2 | ICD10CM | Acute hepatitis B without delta-agent with hepatic coma |
| B17.11 | ICD10CM | Acute hepatitis C with hepatic coma |
| B19.0 | ICD10CM | Unspecified viral hepatitis with hepatic coma |
| B19.11 | ICD10CM | Unspecified viral hepatitis B with hepatic coma |
| B19.21 | ICD10CM | Unspecified viral hepatitis C with hepatic coma |
| D81.810 | ICD10CM | Biotinidase deficiency |
| E71.110 | ICD10CM | Isovaleric acidemia |
| E71.121 | ICD10CM | Propionic acidemia |
| E72.20 | ICD10CM | Disorder of urea cycle metabolism, unspecified |
| E72.21 | ICD10CM | Argininemia |
| E72.22 | ICD10CM | Arginosuccinic aciduria |
| E72.23 | ICD10CM | Citrullinemia |
| E72.29 | ICD10CM | Other disorders of urea cycle metabolism |
| E72.4 | ICD10CM | Disorders of ornithine metabolism |
| K72.91 | ICD10CM | Hepatic failure, unspecified with coma |
| P74.6 | ICD10CM | Transitory hyperammonemia of newborn |
ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).
Formulary status
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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
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