Lactitol is an osmotic laxative.
Mode of action: Lactitol as an osmotic laxative, it is not digested or absorbed to a significant extent in the small intestine, When lactitol reaches the colon it is fermented by colonic bacteria. The products of this fermentation are short chain fatty acids, carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
These products increase the osmotic power of the original non-absorbed hydrocarbonate, and because they are not absorbed at same rate, make the contents of the colon more viscous by water retention. Because lactitol is an excellent energy source for the saccharolytic bacteria in the colon, also the bacterial mass increases which results in an increase of dry substance of the faeces, which has also a positive influence on defeacation,
Indication: Lactitol is used for the treatment of two different syndromes namely - constipation and hepatic encephalopathy or portal systemic encephalopathy. These diseases are a result of malfunction of the liver what is often caused by alcohol abuse but also by hepatitis and other causes.
Contraindication: Galactosaemia (unable to metabolize galactose), intestinal obstruction.
Side effects: Reported side effects are abdominal distension, flatulence and abdominal cramps leading to diarrhoea in case of overdose. A dose reduction promptly corrects the latter. The untoward effects tend to diminish with continued use, probably as a reflection of shift in the composition of the colonic flora. It is preferable to administer lactitol in a single daily dose; this diminished the incidence and intensity of untoward abdominal effects.
Precaution: Should be taken carefully in case of lactose intolerance.
Dosage & admin:
Adults: The initial daily dosage should be 20gm, to be taken in a single dose with morning or evening meal. This dose can be reduced to 10gm/day when desired effect has been obtained.
Children: 1- 6 years old, 2.5 - 5gm per day.
6-12 years old, 5- 10gm per day;
12- 16 years old, 10- 20gm per day.
Market name :
i) LAXITOL Sachet
Manufactured by SK+F
Each sachet contains lactitol BP 10gm as lactitol monohydrate: powder for solution.
ii) SINALAX Sachet (Ibn Sina)
Each sachet contains lactitol BP l0gm as lactitol monohydrate: powder for solution.
iii) TITOLAX Sachet (Renata)
Each sachet contains lactitol BP l0 gm as lactitol monohydrate: powder for solution.
Mode of action: Lactitol as an osmotic laxative, it is not digested or absorbed to a significant extent in the small intestine, When lactitol reaches the colon it is fermented by colonic bacteria. The products of this fermentation are short chain fatty acids, carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
These products increase the osmotic power of the original non-absorbed hydrocarbonate, and because they are not absorbed at same rate, make the contents of the colon more viscous by water retention. Because lactitol is an excellent energy source for the saccharolytic bacteria in the colon, also the bacterial mass increases which results in an increase of dry substance of the faeces, which has also a positive influence on defeacation,
Indication: Lactitol is used for the treatment of two different syndromes namely - constipation and hepatic encephalopathy or portal systemic encephalopathy. These diseases are a result of malfunction of the liver what is often caused by alcohol abuse but also by hepatitis and other causes.
Contraindication: Galactosaemia (unable to metabolize galactose), intestinal obstruction.
Side effects: Reported side effects are abdominal distension, flatulence and abdominal cramps leading to diarrhoea in case of overdose. A dose reduction promptly corrects the latter. The untoward effects tend to diminish with continued use, probably as a reflection of shift in the composition of the colonic flora. It is preferable to administer lactitol in a single daily dose; this diminished the incidence and intensity of untoward abdominal effects.
Precaution: Should be taken carefully in case of lactose intolerance.
Dosage & admin:
Adults: The initial daily dosage should be 20gm, to be taken in a single dose with morning or evening meal. This dose can be reduced to 10gm/day when desired effect has been obtained.
Children: 1- 6 years old, 2.5 - 5gm per day.
6-12 years old, 5- 10gm per day;
12- 16 years old, 10- 20gm per day.
Market name :
i) LAXITOL Sachet
Manufactured by SK+F
Each sachet contains lactitol BP 10gm as lactitol monohydrate: powder for solution.
ii) SINALAX Sachet (Ibn Sina)
Each sachet contains lactitol BP l0gm as lactitol monohydrate: powder for solution.
iii) TITOLAX Sachet (Renata)
Each sachet contains lactitol BP l0 gm as lactitol monohydrate: powder for solution.