LACTULOSE ZEN*SYR 200ML

LATTULOSIO ZENTIVA 66.7 g/100 ml syrup

What it is and what it is used for
LATTULOSIO ZENTIVA contains the active ingredient lactulose, a sugar that belongs to a group of medicines called laxatives, used to facilitate intestinal bowel movements (evacuation).
This medicine is indicated for the short-term treatment of occasional constipation.

Consult 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
Do not take LATTULOSIO ZENTIVA
- if you are allergic to lactulose or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6);
- if you suffer from galactosemia, a genetic disease that prevents the digestion of certain sugars;
- if you have an obstruction or narrowing (stenosis) of the intestine;
- if you have abdominal pain of unknown origin, nausea, vomiting;
- if you notice the presence of blood of unknown origin in your stools (rectal bleeding);
- if you are in a state of severe dehydration.

LATTULOSIO ZENTIVA is generally contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding (see section "Pregnancy and breastfeeding") and in children under 3 years of age.

Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking LATTULOSIO ZENTIVA.

Consult your doctor before taking this medicine in the following cases:
- if you suffer from diabetes or if you are on a weight-loss diet (low-calorie), because this medicine contains some sugars (lactose, galactose);
- if you are elderly or not in good health;
- if you suffer from an intestinal disorder called meteorism (gas in the intestine). In this case, take the minimum dose at the beginning of the treatment, which can be gradually increased according to your condition;
- if you suffer from constipation that lasts for long periods (chronic) or is frequent;
- if the need for a laxative results from a sudden change in previous bowel habits (frequency and characteristics of stool elimination) that has lasted for more than two weeks or when the use of the laxative fails to produce effects, or if the disorder has also occurred in the past.

Excessive use of laxatives can cause persistent diarrhea with consequent loss of water, mineral salts (especially potassium) and other essential nutrients for the body. In the most severe cases, severe dehydration and a decrease in potassium levels in the blood (hypokalemia) can cause heart, nerve and muscle problems (cardiac or neuromuscular dysfunction), especially in case of concomitant use of medicines used for heart rate problems (cardiac glycosides), medicines used to lower blood pressure (diuretics) and cortisone anti-inflammatories.
Abuse of laxatives, especially contact laxatives (stimulant laxatives), can cause dependence and habituation (the need to constantly increase the dosage), chronic constipation and loss of normal bowel function (intestinal atony).

Health education notes: Please note that, in most cases, a balanced diet rich in water and fiber (bran, vegetables and fruit) can solve the problem of constipation. Many people think they suffer from constipation if they do not have a bowel movement every day. This is an incorrect belief as this situation is completely normal for a large number of people.
Instead, constipation is considered to be present when bowel movements are reduced compared to personal habits and are associated with the passage of hard stools. If episodes of constipation occur repeatedly, a doctor should be consulted.

Children
In children under 12 years of age, LATTULOSIO ZENTIVA should only be used after consulting a doctor.

Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Adhering to the instructions contained in the package leaflet reduces the risk of side effects.

Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following side effects:
- excessive emission of gas from the intestine (flatulence) and even severe abdominal pain (colic), more frequent in cases of severe constipation.
- allergic reactions, skin rash, itching, hives (frequency not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data).
These side effects are generally temporary.

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.