Lactulose gegen Verstopfung

About lactulose

Verstopfung is a common problem. It can mean either going to the toilet less often than usual to empty your bowels, or passing hard or painful stools. Constipation can be caused by a number of things. Not eating enough fibre or not drinking enough fluid can cause constipation. Some conditions (such as pregnancy) can cause constipation, as can a lack of exercise or movement (such as being ill in bed) and some medicines.

Often, increasing the amount of fibre in your diet (such as by eating more fruit, vegetables, cereals, and wholemeal bread) and drinking plenty of water each day can effectively prevent or relieve constipation. You will have been recommended lactulose, a laxative, to help relieve constipation if you cannot increase the fibre in your diet or if this is insufficient. Lactulose works by drawing fluid into your bowel, which makes your stools softer and easier to pass. It is available on prescription, and it can also be bought without a prescription at pharmacies.

Lactulose also changes the acidity of the stools and this helps to discourage the growth of some germs (bacteria) present in the bowel. Because of this, lactulose is also prescribed for people with a liver disease called hepatic encephalopathy. If you have been prescribed it for this reason, ask your doctor if you need further information about the medicine.

Before taking lactulose

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking lactulose it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Wenn Sie so verstopft sind, dass Sie denken, Sie könnten einen Darmverschluss haben.

• If you are unable to digest milk sugar (lactose intolerant).

• If you have a condition called galactosaemia, where your body cannot process galactose.

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Lactulose is not known to be harmful to a baby, but while you are expecting or feeding a baby, you should only take medicines on the recommendation of a doctor.

• If it is intended for a child. This is because laxatives should only be given to children on the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional.

• If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or to any other medicine.

How to take lactulose

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from the pack. It will give you more information about lactulose and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience.

• Take lactulose exactly as your doctor tells you to, or as directed on the pack. The usual dose for constipation in an adult is 15 ml (three 5 ml spoonfuls) twice daily, although the dose you are advised to take may be different from this as it will be adjusted to suit your needs.

• If a doctor or healthcare professional has recommended lactulose for your child, check the label on the pack carefully to make sure that you give the correct dose for the age of your child.

• Wenn Sie eine Dosis vergessen haben, machen Sie sich keine Sorgen, nehmen Sie einfach die nächste Dosis, wenn sie fällig ist. Nehmen Sie nicht zwei Dosen zusammen, um eine vergessene Dosis auszugleichen.

Das Beste aus Ihrer Behandlung herausholen

• Lactulose can take up to 48 hours to act, so it may take two or three days before you feel the full benefit. However, if after several days you do not feel your symptoms are improving, or if they get worse, you should speak with a doctor for further medical advice.

• It is important for you to drink plenty while you are constipated. Adults should aim to drink at least two litres (about 8-10 cups) of fluid per day. Most sorts of drink will do, but as a start, try just drinking a glass of water 3-4 times a day in addition to what you normally drink.

• Versuchen Sie, eine ausgewogene Ernährung mit ballaststoffreichen Lebensmitteln wie Vollkorn- und Vollkornbrot und -getreide, Obst und Gemüse, braunem Reis und Vollkornnudeln zu sich zu nehmen. Wenn Sie nicht an eine ballaststoffreiche Ernährung gewöhnt sind, ist es möglicherweise am besten, die Menge an Ballaststoffen, die Sie essen, schrittweise zu erhöhen.

• Indem Sie Ihren Körper aktiv halten, unterstützen Sie Ihr Verdauungssystem dabei, in Bewegung zu bleiben. Versuchen Sie daher, regelmäßig täglich Sport zu treiben.

• Sie möchten möglicherweise einige Lebensmittel in Ihre Ernährung aufnehmen, die Sorbitol enthalten. Sorbitol ist ein natürlich vorkommender Zucker. Es wird nicht sehr gut verdaut und zieht Wasser in den Darm, was eine stuhlweichende Wirkung hat. Früchte (und deren Säfte), die einen hohen Sorbitolgehalt haben, sind Äpfel, Aprikosen, Stachelbeeren, Trauben (und Rosinen), Pfirsiche, Birnen, Pflaumen, Backpflaumen, Himbeeren und Erdbeeren.

• You can read more about how to prevent or treat constipation in the separate health information leaflets called Verstopfung (für Erwachsene) und Verstopfung bei Kindern.

Can lactulose cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the ones which can occur with lactulose. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Wenn Sie andere Symptome bemerken, die Ihrer Meinung nach auf das Medikament zurückzuführen sind, sprechen Sie mit Ihrem Arzt oder Apotheker für weitere Ratschläge.

How to store lactulose

• Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.

• An einem kühlen, trockenen Ort aufbewahren, fern von direkter Hitze und Licht.

Wichtige Informationen über alle Medikamente