Lactulose oral solution is used to treat the symptoms of constipation and to treat a special liver disease (portal systemic encephalopathy). Lactulose belongs to a group of medicines called osmotic laxatives, which help retain water in the bowels and soften the stools. Lactulose solution encourages normal bowel movement.
Like all medicines, Lactulose Solution can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Common side-effects inlcude: diarrhoea, flatulence (wind), nausea (feeling sick), vomiting, abdominal pain), electrolyte imbalance due to diarrhoea. Flatulence may occur during the first few days of treatment. As a rule it disappears after a few days. When dosages higher than instructed are used, abdominal pain and diarrhoea may occur. In such a case the dosage should be decreased. If you use high doses (normally only associated with hepatic encephalopathy, HE) for an extended period of time, you may experience an electrolyte imbalance due to diarrhoea.
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