Description
LACTULOSE VIATRIS contains a laxative called lactulose. It makes stools soft and easier to eliminate, by drawing water into the intestine. It is not absorbed into your body.
- LACTULOSE VIATRIS is used to treat constipation (infrequent, hard, dry bowel movements) by making the stools soft.
- LACTULOSE VIATRIS is used in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy (a liver disease causing difficulty in thinking, confusion, tremors, reduced level of consciousness which may even lead to coma).
Dosage and frequency of administration
Constipation: This medicine may be taken once a day, for example at breakfast, or twice a day.
Depending on your response to treatment, the initial dose may be adjusted to reach the maintenance dose. It may take several days (2 to 3) for the treatment to take effect.
The average dose is:
Adults and adolescents :
- initial treatment: 1 to 3 sachets per day.
- Maintenance treatment: 1 to 2 sachets a day.
Children aged 7 to 14 :
- Introductory treatment: 1 sachet per day. If diarrhoea occurs, reduce the dosage.
For an appropriate dosage in infants and children up to 7 years of age, LACTULOSE BIPHAR 66.5%, oral solution should be used.
Precautions for use
The dosage usually used in the treatment of constipation is not likely to affect diabetic patients. If you have diabetes and are being treated for hepatic encephalopathy, the dose of LACTULOSE VIATRIS will be higher. This higher dose contains a greater amount of sugar. It may therefore be necessary to adjust the dose of your diabetes medicine. Chronic use at an inappropriate dosage (resulting in more than 2-3 loose stools per day) or incorrect use may lead to diarrhoea and electrolyte balance disorders. If you have a tendency to develop electrolyte disorders (for example in the case of renal or hepatic insufficiency, or if you are taking diuretics at the same time), talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking LACTULOSE VIATRIS. Treatment with LACTULOSE VIATRIS may interfere with the normal functioning of the excretion reflex. You should drink an adequate amount of fluid (approximately 1.5 to 2 litres per day, i.e. 6 to 8 glasses) during treatment with laxatives. If you take LACTULOSE VIATRIS for several days without any improvement in your condition or if the symptoms worsen, consult your doctor.
In children, the treatment of constipation is based on lifestyle and dietary measures: in particular, use of the right amount of water with infant milk powders, a diet rich in plant-based products and the addition of fruit juices. In infants and children, the prescription of LACTULOSE VIATRIS 10 g/15 ml, drinkable solution in sachet should be exceptional as it may interfere with the normal functioning of the exoneration reflex.
LACTULOSE VIATRIS may be used during pregnancy and breast-feeding. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to become pregnant, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Composition
- The active substance is:
66% (m/v) lactulose solution ................................................................................. 20 g quantity corresponding to lactulose ............................................................................................. 10 g
for a 15 ml sachet.
LACTULOSE VIATRIS does not contain any excipients.LACTULOSE VIATRIS contains residues from the synthetic route.
