Lactulose
Systematic (IUPAC) name
4-O-(beta)-D-Galactopyranosyl-D-fructofuranose
Identifiers
CAS number	4618-18-2
ATC code	A06AD11
PubChem	11333
DrugBank	APRD01063
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) Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... IUPAC nomenclature is a system of naming chemical compounds and of describing the science of chemistry in general. ... CAS registry numbers are unique numerical identifiers for chemical compounds, polymers, biological sequences, mixtures and alloys. ... The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System is used for the classification of drugs. ... A division of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System A Alimentary tract and metabolism // A06A Laxatives A06AA Softeners, emollients A06AA01 Liquid paraffin A06AA02 Docusate sodium A06AA51 Liquid paraffin, combinations A06AB Contact laxatives A06AB01 Oxyphenisatine A06AB02 Bisacodyl A06AB03 Dantron A06AB04 Phenolphthalein A06AB05 Castor oil A06AB06 Senna glycosides A06AB07 Cascara A06AB08 Sodium... PubChem is a database of chemical molecules. ... The DrugBank database available at the University of Alberta is a unique bioinformatics and cheminformatics resource that combines detailed drug (i. ... A chemical formula (also called molecular formula) is a concise way of expressing information about the atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound. ... General Name, Symbol, Number carbon, C, 6 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 14, 2, p Appearance black (graphite) colorless (diamond) Atomic mass 12. ... This article is about the chemistry of hydrogen. ... General Name, Symbol, Number oxygen, O, 8 Chemical series Nonmetals, chalcogens Group, Period, Block 16, 2, p Appearance colorless (gas) very pale blue (liquid) Atomic mass 15. ... The molecular mass (abbreviated MM) of a substance, formerly also called molecular weight and abbreviated as MW, is the mass of one molecule of that substance, relative to the unified atomic mass unit u (equal to 1/12 the mass of one atom of carbon-12). ... In pharmacology, bioavailability is used to describe the fraction of an administered dose of medication that reaches the systemic circulation, one of the principal pharmacokinetic properties of drugs. ... Drug metabolism is the metabolism of drugs, their biochemical modification or degradation, usually through specialized enzymatic systems. ... Enteric means pertaining to the intestine. ... It has been suggested that Effective half-life be merged into this article or section. ... Excretion is the process of eliminating waste products of metabolism and other materials that are of no use. ... The pregnancy category of a pharmaceutical agent is an assessment of the risk of fetal injury due to the pharmaceutical, if it is used as directed by the mother during pregnancy. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from...
Legal status	P(UK) The regulation of therapeutic goods, that is drugs and therapeutic devices, varies by jurisdiction. ...
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. In pharmacology and toxicology, a route of administration is the path by which a drug, fluid, poison or other substance is brought into contact with the body 1. ... Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... Constipation or irregularity, is a condition of the digestive system where a person (or animal) experiences hard feces that are difficult to eliminate; it may be extremely painful, and in severe cases (fecal impaction) lead to symptoms of bowel obstruction. ... Hepatic encephalopathy is a condition (usually caused by liver cirrhosis and its resultant portal hypertension) where brain cells are damaged by a build-up of toxic substances in the blood. ... The liver is an organ in vertebrates including humans. ... Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates. ... Fructose (or levulose) is a simple sugar (monosaccharide) found in many foods and is one of the three most important blood sugars along with glucose and galactose. ... Galactose (also called brain sugar) is a type of sugar found in dairy products, in sugar beets and other gums and mucilages. ...

Constipation

In the treatment of chronic constipation, its metabolites draw water into the bowel, causing a cathartic effect through osmotic action. Constipation or irregularity, is a condition of the digestive system where a person (or animal) experiences hard feces that are difficult to eliminate; it may be extremely painful, and in severe cases (fecal impaction) lead to symptoms of bowel obstruction. ...

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. An opioid is any agent that binds to opioid receptors found principally in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. ... An opioid is any agent that binds to opioid receptors found principally in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. ...

It can be also useful for treating children that withhold their bowel movements out of fear.

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. Hepatic encephalopathy is a condition (usually caused by liver cirrhosis and its resultant portal hypertension) where brain cells are damaged by a build-up of toxic substances in the blood. ... Ammonia is a compound with the formula NH3. ... Colon has several meanings: colon (anatomy) colon (punctuation) colon (rhetoric) See also Colón This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The bacterial flora is the whole system of bacteria in body cavities that have contact with the outside world. ...

Side effects

Side effects at excessively high dosages include diarrhea and resultant dehydration and high sodium levels. In rare cases or in excess amounts, lactulose can cause stomach pain, gas, vomiting, or explosive and uncontrollable diarrhea. Types 5-7 on the Bristol Stool Chart are often associated with diarrhea Diarrhea (in American English) or diarrhoea (in British English) is a generally unpleasant condition in which the sufferer has frequent watery, loose bowel movements (from the ancient Greek word διαρροή = leakage; literally meaning to run through). Acute infectious... Dehydration (hypohydration) is the removal of water (hydro in ancient Greek) from an object. ... Hypernatremia is an electrolyte disturbance consisting of an elevated sodium level in the blood (compare to hyponatremia, meaning a low sodium level). ...

Brand names

• Generlac®
• Cephulac®
• Cholac®
• Constilac®
• Enulose®
• Acilac®
• Heptalac®
• Actilax®
• Duphalac®

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