Therapeutic Classification: laxatives
Pharmacologic Classification: osmotics
Absorption: Less than 3% absorbed after oral administration.
Distribution: Unknown.
Metabolism/Excretion: Absorbed lactulose is excreted unchanged in the urine. Unabsorbed lactulose is metabolized by colonic bacteria to lactic, acetic, and formic acids.
Half-Life: Unknown.
Constipation
- PO (Adults ): 15–30 mL/day up to 60 mL/day as liquid or 10–20 g as powder for oral solution (up to 40 g/day has been used).
- PO (Children ): 7.5 mL once daily after breakfast (unlabeled).
Portal-Systemic Encephalopathy
- PO (Adults ): 30–45 mL 3–4 times/day; may be given every 1–2 hr initially to induce laxation.
- PO (Infants ): 2.5–10 mL/day in 3–4 divided doses (unlabeled).
- PO (Children and Adolescents): 40–90 mL/day in 3–4 divided doses (unlabeled).
- (Adults ): 300 mL diluted and administered as a retention enema every 4–6 hr.
