LATTULAC*SYR 200ML 67G/100ML

Lattulac 67.0 g/100 ml syrup
lactulose

What it is and what it is used for
Lattulac contains lactulose which belongs to a category of medicines called osmotic laxatives.
Lattulac is indicated for the short-term treatment of occasional constipation.

What you need to know before taking the medicine
Do not use Lattulac
- if you are allergic to lactulose or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
- if you have unexplained abdominal pain or rectal bleeding, if you have nausea, vomiting, a blockage or narrowing of the stomach or intestines, or severe dehydration
- if you suffer from a hereditary disease characterized by galactose accumulation, called galactosemia.

Lattulac is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding unless your doctor considers its administration necessary.
Lattulac is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
Do not administer Lattulac to children under 12 years of age unless after consulting your doctor.

Consult your doctor even if these disorders have occurred in the past.

Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Lattulac.

Use Lattulac with particular caution:
- if you suffer from disorders caused by excessive intestinal meteorism (gas in the intestine): in this case, it is advisable to start treatment with minimal doses, which can be gradually increased depending on your response.

Pay particular attention and inform your doctor who will monitor you:
- if you suffer from chronic or recurrent constipation
- if the need for laxatives stems from a sudden change in previous bowel habits (frequency and characteristics of bowel movements) that has lasted for more than two weeks or when the use of laxatives fails to produce effects
- if you are taking medicines for heart failure (digitalis)
- if you are elderly or in poor health
- after a short period of treatment without evident results
- even in cases where constipation-related disorders have occurred in the past.

Please note that:
- you should avoid using this medicine continuously
- the urge to defecate may be different than usual during treatment
- you should consult your doctor if symptoms persist for more than seven days or worsen during treatment.

The abuse of laxatives (frequent or prolonged use or with excessive doses) can cause:
- persistent diarrhea with consequent loss of water, mineral salts and other essential substances
- in the most severe cases, dehydration or a severe decrease in potassium in the blood may occur, which can lead to dysfunctions of the heart or nerves and muscles, especially if you are simultaneously taking heart medications (digitalis), medicines to increase urine production (diuretics) or corticosteroids (anti-inflammatories)
- the need to progressively increase the dosage
- chronic constipation
- loss of normal intestinal functions (decreased intestinal tone).

Health education notes
A balanced diet rich in water and fiber (bran, vegetables and fruit) can permanently solve the problem of constipation. Many people think they suffer from constipation if they cannot have a bowel movement every day: this is a misconception as this situation is completely normal for a large number of people.
Constipation can be described when bowel movements are reduced compared to one's personal habits and are associated with the emission of hard stools.
Consult your doctor if episodes of constipation occur repeatedly.

Children
Lattulac can be used in children under 12 years of age only after consulting a doctor.

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

The following side effects may occur:
- abdominal pain or cramps, more frequent in cases of severe constipation;
- gas emission from the intestine (flatulence);
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- alteration of salt and water levels, due to diarrhea.

Reactions with unknown frequency (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
allergic reactions, rash, itching, hives.

Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, including any not listed in this leaflet, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. 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.