Name
Lactulose Teva 670 mg/ml oral solution


What it is and what it is 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 are constipated if they are unable to have a bowel movement every day. This is a mistaken belief because this situation is completely normal for a large number of individuals. Instead, consider that constipation occurs when bowel movements 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;
- 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.
Consider, instead, 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.
Treatment of chronic or recurrent constipation always requires the intervention of a doctor for diagnosis, prescription of drugs 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 a laxative fails to produce effects.

Laxative abuse
Frequent or prolonged use or excessive doses of laxatives can cause persistent diarrhea with consequent 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 potassium in the blood) may occur, which may cause cardiac or neuromuscular disorders, 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 intestinal functions).


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

When taking a higher dose than prescribed, 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 diarrhoea, 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 get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects 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.