Lactulose
Lactulose
Definition
A disaccharide (sugar) synthesized from fructose and galactose, Lactulose is used to treat constipation and some liver diseases. Nondigestible in mammals, lactulose passes unabsorbed down to the large intestine where resident bacteria consume it and produce lactic, acetic, and formic acids, which draw fluid into the bowel to soften the stool (laxative effect). Acidification of the colon contents attracts ammonia from the bloodstream, assisting stool excretion; helpful in liver failure when ammonia cannot be detoxified. (NCI04)
Also known as 4-O-beta-D-Galactopyranosyl-D-fructofuranose, Cephulac, Chronulac, LACTULOSE — per NCIT
Also identified as
- ATC A06AD11 per RXNORM
- NCIT NCIT:C29148 per NCIT
- SCTID 111137007 per RXNORM
- SCTID 273945008 per RXNORM
- UNII 9U7D5QH5AE per RXNORM
Indications
| Disease | Relation | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Constipation disorder | may treat | MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work) |
| Hepatic encephalopathy | may treat | MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work) |
Organ Effects
| Organ | Side effect / interaction | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Brain | may treat a disease of this organ | DERIVED · CC BY 4.0 |
| Central nervous system | may treat a disease of this organ | DERIVED · CC BY 4.0 |
| Nervous system | may treat a disease of this organ | DERIVED · CC BY 4.0 |
3 entries above are marked DERIVED: Atlas Médico inferred them by combining two sourced claims, and no source asserts these links directly. Treat them as a navigation aid, not as a clinical statement.