Lactitol

Information about Lactitol

Lactitol Uses

Lactitol is used in constipation.

How Lactitol works

Lactitol works by drawing water into the intestine through osmosis, which makes the stool soft and easier to pass.

Common side effects of Lactitol

Abdominal distension, Diarrhea, Flatulence, Upper respiratory tract infection, Increased creatine phosphokinase (CPK) level in blood, High blood pressure
CONTENT DETAILS
Written By
Dr. Sakshi Jain
MS, BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Shilpa Garcha
MD (Pharmacology), MBBS
Last updated
18 Feb 2020 | 11:51 AM (UTC)

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Available Medicine for Lactitol

LactihepSun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd
₹13 to ₹5703 variant(s)
GutclearZuventus Healthcare Ltd
₹171 to ₹3132 variant(s)
LaxitolMacleods Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd
₹99 to ₹2722 variant(s)
Totalax NFMankind Pharma Ltd
₹121 to ₹3282 variant(s)
LacsypCipla Ltd
₹145 to ₹2982 variant(s)
OsmitolMicro Labs Ltd
₹3561 variant(s)
TorrelaxTorrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd
₹2371 variant(s)
EncelaxZydus Cadila
₹72 to ₹2182 variant(s)
LacrelaxFDC Ltd
₹145 to ₹2753 variant(s)
HapilacSignova Pharma Pvt Ltd
₹2101 variant(s)

Expert advice for Lactitol

  • Lactitol is used for the treatment of constipation.
  • It should preferably be taken at bedtime as it requires 6 to 8 hours to show effect.
  • It is usually taken once a day as needed for up to 2 weeks. Take it exactly as prescribed by the doctor.
  • Some healthy tips to prevent constipation from happening:
    • Eat more fiber in your diet. Recommended daily intake is 20-35g
    • Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day
    • Exercise regularly at least 3 times per week
    • Do not hold in stool as that can worsen bowel issues
  • Take it atleast 2 hours after taking other medicines, as it may interfere with the absorption of other medicines.
  • Inform your doctor if you have a history of stomach disorders such as appendicitis or a blockage in your bowel.

Frequently asked questions for Lactitol

Lactitol

Q. Is Lactitol a laxative?

Yes, Lactitol is a laxative which softens the stools by pulling in water from the body to the large intestine. It is also used to reduce the amount of ammonia in the blood of patients with liver disease.

Q. Is it okay to take Lactitol every day?

You should take Lactitol for as long as advised by your doctor. You may also take it for as long as constipation lasts, which may be upto a week. For hepatic encephalopathy, the treatment may be longer, may be several months.

Q. How long does it take for Lactitol to work?

It takes about 2-3 days to see the benefits of the treatment. Talk to your doctor if you feel constipated even after 3 days of taking Lactitol.

Q. What is Lactitol used for?

Lactitol is used to treat constipation which is presented as infrequent bowel movements, hard and dry stools. It is also used in patients with hepatic encephalopathy (serious liver problem causing confusion, tremors and decreased level of consciousness).

Q. What are the side effects of taking Lactitol?

Lactitol very commonly causes diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Diarrhea and abdominal pain occur due to high dose and dose should be reduced in such cases. Flatulence may occur during the first few days of treatment and may disappear after sometime. This medicine may also cause electrolyte imbalance. However, this is an uncommon side effect.

Q. Who should not be given Lactitol?

Lactitol should not be given to patients who are allergic to it or are intolerant to lactose (cannot process lactose). It should also be avoided in patients having galactosemia, a rare health problem where body cannot process galactose.

Q. Can I take other laxatives along with Lactitol?

Usually one laxative is sufficient to relieve constipation. In case you need it, your doctor may advise you to take one more laxative along with Lactitol. The risk of side effects is more with 2 laxatives.

Q. What if I take more than the recommended dose of Lactitol?

Taking more than the recommended dose of Lactitol may cause abdominal pain, electrolyte imbalance and diarrhea, which may last for a couple of days.

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