Lactitol Monohydrate
About Lactitol Monohydrate
Lactitol Monohydrate is used to treat constipation. Additionally, it is also used to prevent hepatic encephalopathy (decreased brain function due to liver disease).
Lactitol Monohydrate contains Lactitol monohydrate, which works by softening stools, making them easier to pass. In patients with hepatic encephalopathy, it reduces toxin buildup and improves symptoms.
Lactitol Monohydrate may cause side effects such as abdominal distension, cramps, and gas. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Consult your doctor before taking Lactitol Monohydrate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and your doctor will prescribe you Lactitol Monohydrate only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Inform your doctor if there is no bowel movement or if you find rectal bleeding after taking Lactitol Monohydrate.
Uses of Lactitol Monohydrate
Medicinal Benefits
When used as prescribed, Lactitol Monohydrate may offer the following benefits:
For Constipation:
- Facilitates smoother bowel motions and helps soften faeces.
- When used as directed, it increases the frequency of stools and relieves chronic constipation without creating dependence.
- Serves as a prebiotic as well, encouraging beneficial gut flora that aid in smooth digestion.
- Compared to stimulant laxatives, it usually causes less discomfort and is kinder to the stomach.
For Hepatic Encephalopathy:
- By holding ammonia in the gut and encouraging its evacuation through faeces, lactitol monohydrate lowers blood ammonia levels.
- By keeping ammonia from entering the brain, it enhances mental alertness and cognitive function.
- Beneficial gut bacteria that create less ammonia are encouraged to flourish by lactitol.
- When used as directed, it can help prevent and treat recurrent hepatic encephalopathy.
Directions for Use
- Lactitol Monohydrate can be taken with food.
- It is recommended to take Lactitol Monohydrate once daily, preferably at bedtime, or as advised by your doctor.
- Check the label for directions before using this medication.
- Shake the bottle well before each use.
- Take the prescribed dose by mouth using the measuring cup provided with the pack.
- Avoid using regular household spoons, as they may not measure the dose correctly.
Storage
Side Effects of Lactitol Monohydrate
- Flatulence (gas)
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal cramps
- Indigestion
- Dehydration
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Lactitol Monohydrate if you are allergic to any of its contents.
- Avoid taking Lactitol Monohydrate in case of surgeries like ileostomy or colostomy.
- Consult your doctor before taking Lactitol Monohydrate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Regularly monitor serum electrolytes, blood lactose, and blood glucose levels while taking Lactitol Monohydrate.
- Talk to your doctor if there is no bowel movement or if you find rectal bleeding after taking Lactitol Monohydrate.
- Let your doctor know if you have galactosemia (galactose intolerance disorder), intestinal obstruction, unexplained abdominal pain, or bleeding.
- Inform your doctor if you have diabetes or if you have to undergo a colonoscopy.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Taking Lactitol Monohydrate with the following medication classes may cause adverse reactions.
- Antibiotic (neomycin)
• Potential effect: May reduce the effectiveness of Lactitol Monohydrate. - Water pills (furosemide)
• Potential effect: May cause dehydration and increase low potassium levels. - Cardiac glycoside (digoxin)
• Potential effect: May reduce the risk of digoxin toxicity.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have a history of the following conditions before taking Lactitol Monohydrate, as it may worsen your condition or cause complications.
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Intestinal obstruction disorder
- Diabetes
- Galactosemia (galactose intolerance).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorThe interaction of alcohol with Lactitol Monohydrate is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while using Lactitol Monohydrate.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorPlease consult your doctor before taking Lactitol Monohydrate if you are pregnant. Your doctor will prescribe you Lactitol Monohydrate if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorIt is generally safe to take Lactitol Monohydrate if you are breastfeeding. However, please consult your doctor before taking Lactitol Monohydrate if you are breastfeeding, your doctor will prescribe you Lactitol Monohydrate if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
safe if prescribedLactitol Monohydrate has negligible influence in your ability to drive.
Liver
safe if prescribedLactitol Monohydrate is safe to use if prescribed by the doctor. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
safe if prescribedLactitol Monohydrate is safe to use if prescribed by the doctor. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
cautionLactitol Monohydrate can be taken by children if prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Healthy eating and lifestyle changes for Costipation:
- Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and salads every day to increase your intake of fibre.
- Drink plenty of liquids, particularly water (8–10 glasses each day, unless otherwise prohibited).
- To encourage bowel movements, engage in regular exercise, such as yoga or walking.
- Don't ignore the need to go to the bathroom; instead, stick to a set schedule.
Healthy eating and lifestyle changes for Hepatic encephalopathy:
- Consume enough protein (as recommended): favour dairy and plant proteins (dal, legumes) over red meat.
- Eat little meals frequently to prevent ammonia accumulation.
- Reduce salt intake to lessen oedema and fluid retention.
- Steer clear of alcohol.
- Avoid sleep reversal (day-night disorientation) and get enough sleep.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Constipation: It refers to infrequent bowel movements. The stools are often dry, painful, and hard to pass. Constipation is a condition in which a person has fewer than three bowel movements in a week. However, bowel patterns may vary from person to person. Symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain, and feeling as if the bowel movement is incomplete. Constipation occurs when the normal muscle contractions in the large intestine slow down, which causes the incomplete elimination of waste from the body. Constipation could be associated with a sudden change of diet, a diet with less fibre, not drinking enough liquids, lack of exercise, loss of tone of the bowel muscles in older people, or staying in bed for a longer duration.
Liver encephalopathy: It is a liver disease in which the liver does not remove toxins from the body, which leads to loss of brain function. It may cause symptoms such as confusion, forgetfulness, altered behaviour, difficulty concentrating, and, in severe cases, loss of consciousness.
FAQs
Lactitol Monohydrate is used to treat constipation. Additionally, it is also used to prevent hepatic encephalopathy (decreased brain function due to liver disease).
Lactitol Monohydrate works by breaking down into low-molecular-weight organic acids in the colon, which increases the osmotic pressure. This causes an increase in water content in stools and stool volume, thereby making the stool softer and easier to pass and providing relief from constipation.
Do not take Lactitol Monohydrate with antacids and anti-bacterial medicines as it may cause decreased efficacy.
In patients with hepatic encephalopathy, lactitol lowers the colon pH, thereby suppresses the absorption of unionized ammonia and other toxins. It also enhances nitrogen excretion through faeces.
Diarrhoea might occur if Lactitol Monohydrate is taken in larger doses. Drink lots of fluids and eat food rich in fibre if you experience diarrhoea. If you find blood in stools (tarry stools) or if you experience severe diarrhoea, consult your doctor. Do not take anti-diarrheal medicine on your own.
Do not take Lactitol Monohydrate for more than a week for constipation, as it might lead to dependency on Lactitol Monohydrate for a bowel movement. Taking Lactitol Monohydrate for longer durations might also cause dehydration, imbalance of fluids and salts in the body, affecting the tightness of muscles in the intestine. If your bowel movement is irregular even after taking Lactitol Monohydrate for a week, consult your doctor.
Yes, you can drink water while taking Lactitol Monohydrate. To treat constipation effectively, it is advised to drink plenty of water (6-8 glasses).
Yes, Lactitol Monohydrate is a laxative. It contains lactitol monohydrate, which increases the amount of water in the intestines, softening stools to promote bowel motions.
The side effects of Lactitol Monohydrate include cramps, dehydration, indigestion, abdominal distension, and flatulence (gas). Consult the doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
Lactitol Monohydrate should be taken only for the duration prescribed by the doctor based on your medical condition. Lactitol Monohydrate should not be used for more than a week for constipation unless advised by the doctor as it might cause dependency for bowel movement.
Do not take Lactitol Monohydrate if you are allergic to any of its components or if you have galactosemia (galactose indigestion disorder), intestinal obstruction, unexplained abdominal pain, or bleeding.
To prevent the risk of side effects, Lactitol Monohydrate should be taken with other laxatives only if advised by the doctor.
Diarrhoea might occur if Lactitol Monohydrate is taken in more than the recommended dose. Always follow the dose prescribed by the doctor to reduce the side effects.
