Symptoms:
If the dose is too high, the following may occur: diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
Management: cessation of treatment or dose reduction. Extensive fluid loss by diarrhoea or vomiting may require correction of electrolyte disturbances.
- Use in patients with galactosaemia.
- Acute inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease), gastrointestinal obstruction or subocclusive syndromes, digestive perforation or risk of digestive perforation, painful abdominal syndromes of undetermined cause.
Not applicable.
| Very common | > 1/10 |
| Common | >1/100 to < 1/10 |
| Uncommon | >1/1,000 to <1/100 |
| Rare | >1/10,000 to < 1/1,000 |
| Very rare | < 1/10,000 |
| Not known | cannot be estimated from the available data |
Flatulence may occur during the first few days of treatment. As a rule it disappears after a couple of days. When dosages higher than instructed are used, abdominal pain and diarrhoea may occur. In such a case the dosage should be decreased.
Gastrointestinal disorders
| Very common (> 1/10): | Flatulence, abdominal pain, |
| Common (> 1/100 < 1/10): | Nausea and vomiting; if dosed too high, diarrhoea (sometimes including electrolyte imbalance). |
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
Preclinical data based on studies of single and repeated dose toxicity reveal no special hazards for humans. A long-term animal study does not give reference to tumorigenic potential. Lactulose Hek 65% was not teratogenic in mice, rats and rabbits. After oral administration systemic toxicity is not to be expected due to the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of Lactulose Hek 65%.
- Symptomatic treatment of constipation
Laevolac is indicated in adults and in children and adolescents aged 7 to 18 years. For children below 7 years, other dosage forms are available.
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Drugs for constipation. Osmotically acting laxatives.
ATC code: A06A D11
Lactulose Hek 65% is a synthetic disaccharide formed from D-galactose and fructose. Lactulose Hek 65% as a prebiotic substance strengthens the growth of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, whereas Clostridium and Escherichia coli may be suppressed.
In the colon Lactulose Hek 65% is metabolised by bacterial enzymes to short chain fatty acids mainly lactic and acetic acid as well as methane and hydrogen. This effect leads to a decrease of the pH-value and an increase of the osmotic pressure in the colon. This causes stimulation of peristalsis and an increase of the water content of the faeces.
Lactulose Hek 65% is practically not absorbed, because in man there is no corresponding disaccharidase available in the upper intestinal tract. Not being absorbed as such, it reaches the colon unchanged. There it is metabolised by the colonic bacterial flora. Metabolism is complete at doses up to 25-50 g or 40-75 ml; at higher dosages, a proportion may be excreted unchanged.
In case of insufficient therapeutic effect after several days consultation of a physician is advised.
From the route of synthesis Laevolac may contain small amounts of sugars
(Not more than 67 mg/ml lactose, 100 mg/ml galactose, 67 mg/ml epilactose, 27 mg/ml tagatose and 7 mg/ml fructose).
Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose or fructose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose mal-absorption should not take this medicine.
Lactulose Hek 65% should be administered with care to patients who are intolerant to lactose.
Lactulose Hek 65% may contain more than 5 g lactose/galactose/epilactose depending upon the dose taken. This should be taken into account in patients with diabetes mellitus.15 ml of Lactulose Hek 65% contain 42.7 KJ (10.2 kcals) = 0.21 BU.
For patients with gastro-cardiac syndrome (Roemheld syndrome) Lactulose Hek 65% should only be taken after consultation of a physician. If symptoms like meteorism or bloating occur in such patients after Lactulose Hek 65% intake, the dose should be reduced or the treatment should be discontinued.
Chronic use of unadjusted doses and misuse can lead to diarrhoea and disturbance of the electrolyte balance.
For elderly patients or patients that are in bad general condition and take Lactulose Hek 65% for a more than 6 months period, periodic control of electrolytes is indicated.
During the therapy with laxatives it is recommended to drink sufficient amounts of fluids (1.5-2 l/day, equal to 6-8 glasses).
Paediatric population
Use of laxatives in children should be exceptional and under medical supervision.
Lactulose Hek 65% should be administrated with caution in infants and small children with autosomal recessive hereditary fructose intolerance.
The defecation reflex may be altered during the treatment with Lactulose Hek 65%.
Laevolac has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
Posology
Laevolac may be administered diluted or undiluted. The dose should be titrated according to the clinical response. Lactulose Hek 65% may be given as a single daily dose or in two to three divided doses.
A single dose of Lactulose Hek 65% should be swallowed in one and should not be kept in the mouth for an extended period of time.
The posology should be adjusted according to the individual needs of the patient. The starting dose can be adjusted after adequate treatment effect individually (maintenance dose). Several days (2-3 days) of treatment may be needed in some patients before adequate treatment effect occurs. In case of single daily dose, this should be taken at the same time of the day, e.g. during breakfast. During the therapy with laxatives it is recommended to drink sufficient amounts of fluids (1.5-2 l/day, equal to 6-8 glasses).
If diarrhoea occurs, the dosing regimen should be reduced.
The duration of treatment has to be adopted according to the symptoms.
| Starting dose | Maintenance dose | |||
| Adults | 15-45 ml daily
| 1-3 sachets, corresponding to 10-30 g Lactulose Hek 65% | 15-30 ml daily | 1-2 sachets, corresponding to 10-20 g Lactulose Hek 65% |
Older people
In elderly patients no special dosage recommendations exist.
Patients with renal or hepatic impairment
In patients with renal or hepatic insufficiency no special dosage recommendations exist.
Paediatric population
| Starting dose | Maintenance dose | |||
| Adolescents over 14 years | 15-45 ml daily
| 1-3 sachets, corresponding to 10-30 g Lactulose Hek 65% | 15-30 ml daily | 1-2 sachets, corresponding to 10-20 g Lactulose Hek 65% |
| Children (7-14 years) | 15 ml daily | 1 sachet, corresponding to 10 g Lactulose Hek 65% | 15 ml daily | 1 sachet, corresponding to 10 g Lactulose Hek 65% |
For a precise dosing for infants, toddlers and children up to 6 years, Lactulose Hek 65% is available in bottles.
Method of administration
Oral use.
No special requirements.
