{"ok":true,"entry":{"slug":"lactulose","kind":"medication","name":"lactulose","aliases":["Duphalac"],"brands_sg":["Duphalac","Lactus","Lactul","Dhactulose"],"class":"osmotic laxative","tags":["digestive"],"use_for":"constipation · also used for hepatic encephalopathy","use_after":"nhs: 15 ml twice a day to start · 2 days to take effect","use_duration":null,"take_with":"with or without food · can be diluted with water or juice","pros":["general sale list in sg — no prescription needed","nhs: no known problems mixing it with other medicines","draws water into the bowel to soften stools"],"cons":["nhs: takes at least 2 days to work","diarrhoea, bloating and wind are common","contains lactose and galactose — not for everyone"],"dose_note":"nhs: “the usual dose for constipation is: adults – 15ml, taken twice a day as a starting dose”, and “your dose … can go up or down, depending on how well the medicine is working”; the us lactulose oral solution label puts the constipation dose at “1 to 2 tablespoonfuls (15 to 30 mL …) daily” and adds “the dose may be increased to 60 mL daily if necessary”; none of the four sg-registered lactulose products publishes a dosing section on the national drug formulary — as directed on the label or by your pharmacist","dosage":null,"ul_status":null,"sg_class":"general-sale","cautions":["galactosaemia — nhs: tell your doctor or pharmacist first","diabetes — nhs: high doses over a long time may affect blood sugar","irritable bowel syndrome — nhs: lactulose increases gas and bloating","lactose or milk intolerance, or a history of bowel obstruction — healthhub: inform your healthcare professional"],"clashes":[{"src":["nhs_lac_interactions"],"note":"nhs: 2 laxatives together only on a doctor's or pharmacist's advice — increased risk of side effects","with":"other laxatives"}],"sources":[{"id":"nhs_lac_about","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/lactulose/about-lactulose/","label":"NHS medicines A–Z — About lactulose","quote":"Lactulose is a laxative taken to treat constipation. It's also taken to help a condition caused by severe liver disease called hepatic encephalopathy … Lactulose relieves constipation by drawing water into your bowel to make poo softer","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_lac_keyfacts","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/lactulose/about-lactulose/","label":"NHS medicines A–Z — About lactulose, Key facts","quote":"The most common side effects are diarrhoea, bloating and wind … Lactulose takes at least 2 days to work … If you find the taste … too sweet, you can dilute it with fruit juice or water","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_lac_dose","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/lactulose/how-and-when-to-take-lactulose/","label":"NHS medicines A–Z — How and when to take lactulose","quote":"Your dose … can go up or down, depending on how well the medicine is working. The usual dose for constipation is: adults – 15ml, taken twice a day as a starting dose … You can take lactulose with or without food","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_lac_who","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/lactulose/who-can-and-cannot-take-lactulose/","label":"NHS medicines A–Z — Who can and cannot take lactulose","quote":"Lactulose … tell your doctor or pharmacist if you: … cannot process a sugar called galactose (galactosaemia); have diabetes, as lactulose may affect your blood sugar levels if you need to take high doses for a long time … have irritable bowel syndrome","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"nhs_lac_interactions","url":"https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/lactulose/taking-lactulose-with-other-medicines-and-herbal-supplements/","label":"NHS medicines A–Z — Taking lactulose with other medicines and herbal supplements","quote":"There are no known problems mixing lactulose with other medicines or herbal remedies … Only take 2 laxatives together on the advice of your doctor or pharmacist, as there's an increased risk of side effects","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"healthhub_lactulose","url":"https://www.healthhub.sg/medication-devices-and-treatment/medications/lactulose","label":"HealthHub (MOH Singapore) — Lactulose, medication information leaflet, article last reviewed 12 August 2026","quote":"This medication is used to treat constipation. It encourages bowel movement by drawing water into the bowel … This includes a history of lactose or milk intolerance … pre-existing / or a history of bowel obstruction … This preparation contains both lactose and galactose","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"dailymed_lactulose","url":"https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=0f19e4ed-c90a-4330-a7fa-bf911aa98f09","label":"FDA DailyMed — Lactulose oral solution (10 g/15 mL) prescribing information, PAI Holdings LLC dba PAI Pharma, setid 0f19e4ed-c90a-4330-a7fa-bf911aa98f09, effective 15 Sep 2025 (constipation indication)","quote":"The usual dose is 1 to 2 tablespoonfuls (15 to 30 mL, containing 10 g to 20 g of lactulose) daily. The dose may be increased to 60 mL daily if necessary","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"ndf_duphalac","url":"https://www.ndf.gov.sg/about-drugs/product-information/sin02818p/","label":"Singapore National Drug Formulary — DUPHALAC SYRUP [SIN02818P] product information (no indication or dosing section published)","quote":"DUPHALAC SYRUP [SIN02818P] … Active Ingredient and Strength LACTULOSE - 67 G/100 ML … Forensic Classification GENERAL SALE LIST … Licence Holder ABBOTT LABORATORIES (SINGAPORE) PRIVATE LIMITED","accessed":"2026-08-27"},{"id":"hsa_register","url":"https://data.gov.sg/datasets/d_767279312753558cbf19d48344577084/view","label":"HSA — Listing of Registered Therapeutic Products (data.gov.sg dataset d_767279312753558cbf19d48344577084, managed by Health Sciences Authority, last updated 7 Aug 2026), Forensicclassification column","quote":"DUPHALAC SYRUP | SIN02818P | General Sale List — all 4 oral lactulose products in the register are General Sale List (LACTUS SYRUP 66% w/v, LACTUL SOLUTION 670MG/ML, DHACTULOSE SYRUP) (pulled via datastore_search API, 27 Aug 2026)","accessed":"2026-08-27"}],"brand_certs":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-29T16:16:23.779398+08:00"},"disclaimer":"kozen-x is not a medical device and does not give medical advice. it lists what published sources have written down. absence of a record is not the same as safe."}