Lactulose

Chemical

Non-absorbable synthetic, non digestible dissacharide

OSMOTIC LAXITIVE

Tablets, syrup

30ml bd → qid for Hepatic Encephalopathy

Oral

A synthetic sugar of Fructose & Galactose

In colon broken down by colonic bacteria to monosaccharides

This ↑osmotic pressure = ↑water retention in stool

Also draws NH3 out of body (same way it draws out H₂0)

GI: ↑ water retention of stool

Not absorbed/no human enzyme can hydrolyse

N/A

Metabolised by gut bacteria

Metabolites have osmotic & peristaltic effect

Metabolised completely (no lactulose in faeces)

Fecal

T1/2 = 2hrs

Diarrhoea

Bloating

Gas