LACTULOSE TE 670 MG/ML ORAL SOLUTION 200 ML PET BOTTLE

Name
Lactulose Teva 670 mg/ml oral solution


What is it and what is it used for?
Lactulose Teva is an aqueous solution of lactulose, a laxative that stimulates intestinal motility.
Lactulose Teva is indicated in adults and children for the short-term treatment of occasional constipation.
Contact your doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after 7 days.


What you need to know before taking the medicine
First of all, it must be kept in mind that, in most cases, a balanced diet rich in water and fiber (bran, vegetables, and fruit) can permanently solve the problem of constipation.
Many people think they're constipated if they can't have a daily bowel movement. This is a misconception, as this is completely normal for many people. Instead, consider that constipation occurs when bowel movements are less frequent than usual and are associated with hard stools.
If episodes of constipation occur repeatedly, a doctor should be consulted.

Do not take Lactulose Teva
- if you are allergic to lactulose or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6);
- in the presence of acute abdominal pain or pain of unknown origin;
- if you have episodes of nausea and vomiting;
- if you have intestinal stenosis (obstruction or narrowing of the intestine);
- if you have rectal bleeding of unknown origin;
- if you suffer from a severe state of dehydration (excessive loss of water from the body);
- if you suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), subocclusive syndromes, perforation or risk of gastrointestinal perforation (stomach and intestine), abdominal pain of undetermined cause.


Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Lactulose Teva.

Health education notes
First of all, it must be kept in mind that, in most cases, a balanced diet rich in water and fiber (bran, vegetables, and fruit) can permanently solve the problem of constipation.
Many people think they are constipated if they are unable to have a bowel movement every day.
This is a misconception as this situation is completely normal for a large number of individuals.
Constipation, however, occurs when bowel movements are less frequent than usual and are associated with the emission of hard stools.
If episodes of constipation occur repeatedly, a doctor should be consulted.
Treatment of chronic or recurrent constipation always requires medical intervention for diagnosis, prescription of medications, and monitoring during therapy.
Consult your doctor if the need for a laxative arises from a sudden change in previous bowel habits (frequency and characteristics of bowel movements) that lasts for more than two weeks or when the use of the laxative fails to produce effects.

Laxative abuse
Frequent or prolonged use or excessive doses of laxatives can cause persistent diarrhea resulting in loss of water, mineral salts (especially potassium) and other essential nutrients.
In more serious cases, dehydration (excessive loss of water from the body) or hypokalaemia (decrease in blood potassium) may occur, which can cause cardiac or neuromuscular problems, especially if you are also taking medicines such as cardiac glycosides (medicines used to treat heart problems), diuretics (medicines used to lower blood pressure) or corticosteroids (anti-inflammatories).
Laxative abuse can cause dependence (possible need to gradually increase the dosage), chronic constipation and intestinal atony (loss of normal bowel function).


Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

If you take more than the prescribed dose, abdominal pain and diarrhea may occur. In this case, the dosage should be reduced.
If excessive doses are taken for a long time, electrolyte imbalance due to diarrhea may occur.

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
mild abdominal pain*, flatulence*.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
diarrhea* with loss of mineral salts (electrolyte disturbances), vomiting*, nausea*.

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
too high a level of sodium in the blood (hypernatremia).

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
isolated pains similar to abdominal cramps or colic, more frequent in cases of severe constipation**;
alteration of the levels of mineral salts in the blood (electrolyte imbalance), caused by diarrhea, allergic reactions, skin rash, itching, hives.

*mainly following excessive dosages.
** They mainly appear during the first few days of treatment and normally disappear after a few days.

Reporting of side effects
If you experience any side effects, including any not listed in this leaflet, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system at: https://www.aifa.gov.it/content/segnalazionireazioni-avverse .
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.