LACTULOSE 3.3G/5ML ORAL SOLUTION - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

1. what lactulose solution is and what it is used for lactulose solution belongs to a group of medicines called laxatives. it makes the stool softer and easier to pass, by drawing water into the bowel. it is not absorbed into your body.

It is used in the treatment of constipation (infrequent bowel movements, hard and dry stools) and to treat hepatic encephalopathy (a liver disease causing confusion, tremor, decreased level of consciousness including coma). This is also known as a ‘hepatic coma’. _____________­____________

2. what you need to know before you take lactulose solution do not take lactulose solution:

• – if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to lactulose or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in Section 6);

• – if you are suffering from a blockage caused by anything else but normal constipation, digestive perforation or risk of digestive perforation;

• – if you suffer from a rare problem called ‘galactosaemia’

Do not take Lactulose Solution if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Lactulose Solution.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Lactulose Solution if you suffer from any medical conditions or illnesses, in particular: – if you suffer from unexplained tummy ache

• – if you are unable to digest milk sugar (lactose intolerant)

• – if you have diabetes

You should not take Lactulose Solution if you suffer from:

• – glucose/galactose malabsorption syndrome

• – Lapp lactase deficiency

• – galactose or fructose intolerance.

If you take Lactulose Solution for several days and there is no improvement in your condition or if your symptoms worsen, please contact your doctor.

Prolonged use of the same dose, or misuse, can lead to diarrhoea and disturbance of the electrolyte balance.

If you have diabetes and are treated for hepatic encephalopathy, your dose of lactulose will be higher. This high dose contains a large amount of sugar. Therefore, you may need to adjust the dose of your anti-diabetic medicine.

Children

In special circumstances your doctor may prescribe Lactulose Solution for a child, infant or baby. In these cases your doctor will supervise the treatment carefully. Lactulose Solution should only be given to infants and smaller children if indicated as it can influence the normal reflexes for passing stools.

Other medicines and Lactulose Solution

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

Lactulose Solution with food and drink

Lactulose Solution may be taken with or without food. There are no restrictions on what you can eat or drink.

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you are pregnant, might become pregnant or are breast-feeding. Lactulose Solution can be used in pregnancy and when breast-feeding if necessary. No effects on fertility are to be expected.

Driving and using machines

There should be no problems when taking Lactulose Solution.

Important information about some of the ingredients of Lactulose Solution

Lactulose Solution may contain small amounts of lactose, galactose, epilactose or fructose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

• 3. HOWTO TAKE LACTULOSE SOLUTION

Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

• Take Lactulose Solution from a spoon or measuring cup.
• Lactulose may be taken with water or fruit juice. It is recommended that you drink plenty of fluids (1.5–2 l/day, equal to 6–8 glasses throughout the day).
• Swallow the dose immediately. Do not keep it in your mouth as the sugar content may lead to tooth decay, particularly if this medicine is taken for long periods.
• Lactulose takes 2 to 3 days to start working. After this time you may be able to reduce the dose you take according to your needs.

PTO

VICTOR DESIGN

tel: 01275 342028 email :

Reference: Lac-PULL Out PIL 200ml (IN-OUT) UK (0002) V2 (12.12.16)

Inks used: Pan 072 Blue / Pan 355 Green / Pan 200 Red / Black

Other details: See Title Panel page

Constipation
Adults:	15ml twice daily
Children 5 to 10 years:	10ml twice daily
Children under 5 years:	5ml twice daily
Babies under 1 year:	2.5ml twice daily

Use in children: Use of laxatives in children, infants and babies should be exceptional and under medical supervision because it can influence the normal reflexes for passing stools.

To treat hepatic encephalopathy (adults only)

Adults: 30–50ml three times daily.

Children: No information is available for treatment of children (newborn to 18 years) with hepatic encephalopathy.

Elderly and patients with renal or hepatic insufficiency: No special dosage recommendation­s exist.

If you take more Lactulose Solution than you should

If you take more Lactulose Solution than you should stop taking lactulose and talk to a doctor or pharmacist.

You may have diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

If you forget to take Lactulose Solution

If you forget to take a dose of Lactulose Solution do not worry. Just take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

4. possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects have been reported with Lactulose Solution:

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

• diarrhoea

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• flatulence (wind)
• nausea (feeling sick)
• vomiting
• abdominal pain

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• electrolyte imbalance due to diarrhoea

Flatulence may occur during the first few days of treatment. Generally it disappears after a few days. When dosages higher than instructed are used, abdominal pain and diarrhoea may occur. In such a case the dosage should be decreased.

If you use high doses (normally only associated with hepatic encephalopathy) for an extended period of time, you may experience electrolyte imbalance due to diarrhoea.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme Website. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

• 5. HOWTO STORE LACTULOSE SOLUTION

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not store above 25°C. Do not refrigerate or freeze.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the bottle label. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Use within 6 months of first opening and discard any remaining solution.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste.

Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required.

6. contents of the pack and other information

What Lactulose Solution contains

• The active substance is lactulose. Each 5ml of Lactulose Solution contains 3.3g of lactulose.
• Lactulose Solution does not contain any other ingredients. However it may contain small amounts of other sugars, such as lactose, galactose, epilactose and fructose.

What Lactulose Solution looks like and contents of the pack

Lactulose Solution is a clear, colourless to brownish yellow viscous liquid. Lactulose Solution is available in 200, 300, 500, 1000ml plastic bottles, 5000 ml plastic containers and also in 200, 300, 500, 1000ml plastic bottles fitted with a measuring cup.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Lactulose 3.3g/5ml Oral Solution

(Lactulose)

Lactulose also contains lactose, galactose and small amounts of fructose (all are types of sugar).

Oral solution. 5ml of Lactulose Solution contains 3.3g of Lactulose.

See leaflet for further information.

E 200 ml

PL 10321/0002

RESOLUTION