Lactulose
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
|
Lactulose
|
|
| Systematic (IUPAC) name | |
| 4-O-(beta)-D-Galactopyranosyl-D-fructofuranose | |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | |
| ATC code | A06 |
| PubChem | |
| DrugBank | |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | C12H22O11 |
| Mol. mass | 342.296 g/mol |
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | Poorly absorbed |
| Metabolism | 100% in colon by enteric bacteria |
| Half life | 1.7-2 hours |
| Excretion | Faecal |
| Therapeutic considerations | |
| Pregnancy cat. |
B(US) |
| Legal status |
P(UK) |
| Routes | Oral |
Lactulose is a synthetic sugar used in the treatment of constipation and hepatic encephalopathy, a complication of liver disease. It consists of the monosaccharides fructose and galactose and is yellow.
Contents |
[edit] Constipation
In the treatment of chronic constipation, its metabolites draw water into the bowel, causing a cathartic effect through osmotic action.
It can be especially useful for negating the constipating effects of opiates and opioids. The United States is the only country in the world that requires a prescription for purchase.
It can be also useful for treating children that withhold their bowel movements out of fear.
[edit] Hepatic encephalopathy
In treating hepatic encephalopathy, lactulose helps "draw out" ammonia (NH3) from the body. The effectiveness of lactulose is somewhat controversial, and whether or not its effects are through ammonia is controversial as well. Lactulose is metabolized in the colon by bacterial flora to short chain fatty acids, acidifying the colonic contents. This favors the formation of the nonabsorbable NH4+ from NH3, trapping NH3 in the colon and effectively reducing plasma NH3 concentrations.
[edit] Side effects
Excessively high dosage can cause stomach pain, gas, embarrassing flatulence, vomiting, or explosive and uncontrollable diarrhea. In sensitive individuals, such as the elderly or people with reduced kidney function, excess dosage can result in dehydration and high sodium levels.
[edit] Brand names
- Generlac®
- Cephulac®
- Cholac®
- Constilac®
- Enulose®
- Acilac®
- Heptalac®
- Actilax®
- Duphalac®
[edit] References
- Medline Plus
- Deglin, J. H., & Vallerand A. H. (2003). Lactulose. In Davis's drug guide for nurses (9th ed.) (pp. 589-590). Philadelphia:F. A. Davis.
- Actilax / Lactulose Virtual Cancer Centre
 |
This pharmacology-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
