LACTULOSE TE*OS 200ML670MG/ML

What it is and what it is used for
Lactulose Teva is an aqueous solution of lactulose, a sugar that belongs to the class of medicines called laxatives with osmotic action, capable of facilitating intestinal motility and softening the stool, facilitating evacuation.
Lactulose Teva is used in the short-term treatment of occasional constipation, when a diet rich in fiber (bran, vegetables and fruit) supplemented by a significant amount of liquids and adequate physical exercise is not sufficient.

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 resolve the problem of constipation.
Many people think they suffer from constipation if they can't pass a bowel movement every day. This is a mistaken belief since this situation is completely normal for a large number of individuals. Consider, however, that constipation occurs when evacuations are reduced compared to one's personal habits and are associated with the emission of 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, nausea or vomiting, intestinal blockage (apart from normal constipation) or narrowing of some parts of the intestine (intestinal stenosis), rectal bleeding of unknown origin, severe dehydration;
- if you suffer from a serious genetic disease that prevents the digestion of galactose (galactosaemia);
- if you suffer from an acute inflammatory intestinal disease (such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), subocclusive syndromes, perforation or risk of perforation of the digestive system, abdominal pain of undetermined cause.

Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Lactulose Teva. During treatment with laxatives, you must drink a sufficient amount of liquids (approximately 2 liters per day, equal to 6 - 8 glasses).

Abuse of laxatives (i.e. frequent or prolonged use or in excessive doses) can cause persistent diarrhea resulting in loss of water, mineral salts (especially potassium) and other essential nutritional factors for your body.
In more severe cases, the onset of dehydration or a decrease in potassium levels in the blood (hypokalemia) is possible, which can lead to cardiac or neuromuscular dysfunction, especially in the case of simultaneous treatment with drugs called cardiac glycosides, diuretics or corticosteroids (see also paragraph “Other medicines and Lactulose Teva”).
Furthermore, the abuse of laxatives, especially contact laxatives (stimulant laxatives), can cause dependence (and, therefore, possible need to progressively increase the dosage), chronic constipation and loss of normal intestinal functions (intestinal atony).

Take particular care and ask your doctor for advice before taking Lactulose Teva if :
- have suffered from constipation for a prolonged period of time. Your doctor will examine you before starting treatment with Lactulose Teva. In fact, recurrent difficulty with bowel movements could be a sign of a more serious disease (such as a severe gastrointestinal inflammatory disease), especially if accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting and fever;
- the need to take a laxative derives from a sudden change in previous intestinal habits (frequency and characteristics of bowel movements) that lasts for more than two weeks;
- is an elderly patient or in poor health;
- suffer from a disease affecting the gastrointestinal system and the heart, called Roemheld Syndrome;
- suffer from symptoms such as bloating due to accumulation of excess gas (meteorism) in the intestine;
- is diabetic; in people suffering from diabetes being treated with high doses of lactulose, it is necessary to change the dose of antidiabetic medicines.

Contact your doctor when using a laxative fails to produce an effect .
Always follow the instructions contained in this leaflet to establish which dose and treatment time are best suited to your case.
Always keep in mind that prolonged use of this laxative, the use of excessive doses or abuse can cause diarrhea and disturbances of the electrolyte balance (the distribution of mineral salts in your body).
The treatment of chronic or recurrent constipation always requires the intervention of a doctor for diagnosis, prescription of drugs and monitoring during the course of therapy.

If you are an elderly patient or in poor general condition, inappropriate long-term use of lactulose can alter the balance of mineral salts.

Lactulose Teva may contain milk sugar (lactose), galactose or fructose.
If your doctor has diagnosed an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

Children
In children under 12 years of age the medicine can only be used after consulting a doctor.
As a rule, Lactulose Teva should not be given to infants and young children, as it may disturb the normal reflex that stimulates the passage of stool.
If in doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

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

When you take a higher dose than prescribed, abdominal pain and diarrhea may appear. In this case the dosage must 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 level of sodium in the blood (hypernatremia).

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

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

Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, including any not listed in this leaflet. 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.