What side effects are possible with this medication?

A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. A side effect may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does not occur in everyone. Not everyone will experience side effects, and which side effects a person experiences cannot be anticipated.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of the medication.

• bowel gas or cramping (with first few doses on increases in dose)
• diarrhea
• nausea or vomiting

Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.

Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

Be sure to inform your doctor of all your medical conditions before you begin taking a medication. Some conditions can affect how you should take this medication.

Colon or bowel surgery or tests: Inform your doctor that you are taking lactulose if you undergo colon or bowel surgery or tests.

Diabetes: Lactulose is broken down to the sugars galactose and lactose in the intestine, and should be used with caution by people with diabetes.

Diarrhea: If you experience severe diarrhea after using lactulose, contact your doctor.

Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not know whether lactulose passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of lactulose have not been established for children.

What other drugs could interact with this medication?

An interaction between medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. The following medications may affect the way lactulose works, be affected by lactulose, or increase the risk of side effects:

• certain antacids

If you are taking any of these or other medications (including non-prescription, herbal, and supplement products), speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want to change your therapy or may suggest ways of managing any interactions. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your doctor know if you use them. Medications other than those listed above may also interact with this medication.