Lactulose Zentiva Laxative Syrup 200ml

NAME
OSMOLAC S. PELLEGRINO

PHARMACOTHERAPEUTIC CATEGORY
Constipation medications.

ACTIVE PRINCIPLES
Lactulose.

EXCIPIENTS
Syrup: sodium benzoate, purified water. Sachets: no excipient.

INDICATIONS
Short-term treatment of occasional constipation.

CONTRAINDICATIONS / SECONDARY EFFECT
Hypersensitivity 'to the active substance or to any of the excipients; contraindicated in subjects with galactosemia; laxatives are contraindicated in subjects with acute abdominal pain or of unknown origin, nausea, vomiting, intestinal obstruction or stenosis, rectal bleeding of unknown origin, severe dehydration; generally contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation and in children younger 'less than 3 years.

DOSAGE
Adults: the daily dosage is 10-15 g in two doses. This dosage can be doubled or halved depending on the individual response or the clinical picture. Children: from 2.5 to 10 g / day, even in a single administration, depending on the age and severity of the case. Infants: on average 2.5 g per day. The granulated drug for oral solution can be administered dissolved in water or suitably diluted in milk or other drinks. The correct dose is the minimum sufficient to produce easy evacuation of soft stools. It is advisable to initially use the minimum doses provided. When necessary, the dose can then be increased, but without ever exceeding the maximum indicated. Take preferably in the evening. Laxatives should be used as infrequently as possible and for no more than seven days. Lactulose is absorbed to a very small extent and has no caloric value. However, the medicine contains, in addition to lactulose, also galactose, lactose and small amounts of other sugars. This must be taken into account in the treatment of diabetic patients and in patients who follow low-calorie diets.

STORAGE
None.

WARNINGS
The abuse of laxatives (frequent or prolonged use or with excessive doses) can cause persistent diarrhea with consequent loss of water, mineral salts (especially potassium) and other essential nutritional factors. In the most severe cases the onset of dehydration or hypokalaemia is possible which can cause cardiac or neuromuscular dysfunctions, especially in the case of simultaneous treatment with cardiac glycosides, diuretics or corticosteroids. The abuse of laxatives, especially contact laxatives (stimulant laxatives), can cause addiction (and, therefore, possible need to gradually increase the dosage), chronic constipation and loss of normal intestinal functions (intestinal atony). In children under 2 years the medicine can 'be used only after consulting your doctor. The treatment of chronic or recurrent constipation always requires the intervention of the doctor for the diagnosis, the prescription of drugs and the surveillance during the course of therapy. A medical consultation is needed when the need for the laxative derives from a sudden change in previous bowel habits (frequency and characteristics of bowel movements) that lasted for more than two weeks or when the use of the laxative fails to produce effects. It is also advisable to consult a doctor in elderly subjects or in poor health conditions before using the medicine. In patients presenting with disorders caused by excessive intestinal meteorism it is advisable to start treatment with the minimum doses indicated; these doses can be gradually increased in relation to the patient's response.

INTERACTIONS
Laxatives can reduce the time spent in the intestine, and therefore the absorption, of other drugs administered simultaneously orally. Therefore, avoid taking laxatives and other drugs at the same time: after taking a medicine, leave an interval of at least 2 hours before taking the laxative. In particular, the simultaneous association of tetracyclines should be avoided. Broad spectrum antibacterial agents, administered orally at the same time as lactulose, can reduce its degradation by limiting the possibility of acidification of the intestinal contents and consequently the therapeutic efficacy.

SIDE EFFECTS
Occasionally: isolated cramping pains or abdominal colic, more frequent in cases of severe constipation. Flatulence. In rare cases, lactulose can cause bloating and abdominal cramps, usually mild in severity and which recede spontaneously after the first days of treatment. Otherwise a dose reduction is appropriate.

PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies on the use of the medicinal product in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Therefore, the medicine should be used only in case of need ', after evaluating the expected benefit to the mother in relation to the possible risk to the fetus or infant.