Lactulose pour la constipation

About lactulose

Constipation is a common problem. It can mean either going to the toilet less often than usual to empty your bowels, or passing hard or painful stools. Constipation can be caused by a number of things. Not eating enough fibre or not drinking enough fluid can cause constipation. Some conditions (such as pregnancy) can cause constipation, as can a lack of exercise or movement (such as being ill in bed) and some medicines.

Often, increasing the amount of fibre in your diet (such as by eating more fruit, vegetables, cereals, and wholemeal bread) and drinking plenty of water each day can effectively prevent or relieve constipation. You will have been recommended lactulose, a laxative, to help relieve constipation if you cannot increase the fibre in your diet or if this is insufficient. Lactulose works by drawing fluid into your bowel, which makes your stools softer and easier to pass. It is available on prescription, and it can also be bought without a prescription at pharmacies.

Lactulose also changes the acidity of the stools and this helps to discourage the growth of some germs (bacteria) present in the bowel. Because of this, lactulose is also prescribed for people with a liver disease called hepatic encephalopathy. If you have been prescribed it for this reason, ask your doctor if you need further information about the medicine.

Before taking lactulose

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking lactulose it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Si vous êtes tellement constipé que vous pensez avoir une obstruction.

• If you are unable to digest milk sugar (lactose intolerant).

• If you have a condition called galactosaemia, where your body cannot process galactose.

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Lactulose is not known to be harmful to a baby, but while you are expecting or feeding a baby, you should only take medicines on the recommendation of a doctor.

• If it is intended for a child. This is because laxatives should only be given to children on the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional.

• Si vous prenez d'autres médicaments, y compris ceux disponibles à l'achat sans ordonnance, ainsi que des médicaments à base de plantes et complémentaires.

• Si vous avez déjà eu une réaction allergique à ce médicament ou à tout autre médicament.

How to take lactulose

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from the pack. It will give you more information about lactulose and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience.

• Take lactulose exactly as your doctor tells you to, or as directed on the pack. The usual dose for constipation in an adult is 15 ml (three 5 ml spoonfuls) twice daily, although the dose you are advised to take may be different from this as it will be adjusted to suit your needs.

• If a doctor or healthcare professional has recommended lactulose for your child, check the label on the pack carefully to make sure that you give the correct dose for the age of your child.

• Si vous oubliez de prendre une dose, ne vous inquiétez pas, prenez simplement la dose suivante lorsqu'elle est prévue. Ne prenez pas deux doses en même temps pour compenser une dose oubliée.

Tirer le meilleur parti de votre traitement

• Lactulose can take up to 48 hours to act, so it may take two or three days before you feel the full benefit. However, if after several days you do not feel your symptoms are improving, or if they get worse, you should speak with a doctor for further medical advice.

• It is important for you to drink plenty while you are constipated. Adults should aim to drink at least two litres (about 8-10 cups) of fluid per day. Most sorts of drink will do, but as a start, try just drinking a glass of water 3-4 times a day in addition to what you normally drink.

• Essayez de manger un régime équilibré contenant des aliments riches en fibres tels que des pains et céréales complets, des fruits et légumes, du riz brun et des pâtes complètes. Si vous n'êtes pas habitué à un régime riche en fibres, il peut être préférable d'augmenter progressivement la quantité de fibres que vous consommez.

• Garder votre corps actif vous aidera à maintenir votre système digestif en mouvement, alors essayez de faire de l'exercice quotidiennement.

• You may wish to include some foods in your diet that contain sorbitol. Sorbitol is a naturally occurring sugar. It is not digested very well and draws water into your bowel which has an effect of softening stools. Fruits (and their juices) that have a high sorbitol content include apples, apricots, gooseberries, grapes (and raisins), peaches, pears, plums, prunes, raspberries and strawberries.

• You can read more about how to prevent or treat constipation in the separate health information leaflets called Constipation (pour adultes) et Constipation chez les enfants.

Can lactulose cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the ones which can occur with lactulose. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Si vous ressentez d'autres symptômes que vous pensez être dus au médicament, parlez-en à votre médecin ou à votre pharmacien pour obtenir des conseils supplémentaires.

How to store lactulose

• Gardez tous les médicaments hors de la vue et de la portée des enfants.

• Conserver dans un endroit frais et sec, à l'abri de la chaleur directe et de la lumière.

Informations importantes sur tous les médicaments