Constipation often occurs during childhood and can even develop in newborn babies. However, you should not rush to give the baby a laxative. First you need to consult a pediatrician. The doctor will decide whether the toddler needs some kind of medicine, and may prescribe one of the drugs in demand in children called "Lactulose".
Release form and composition
The drug is presented in only one form - syrup, the volume of which in one bottle is 200, 500 or 1000 ml. It has a sweet taste and a sticky texture. Such a liquid is transparent and usually colorless, but it also happens with a brown or yellow tint.
The main ingredient of the syrup is also called lactulose and is contained in 100 ml of syrup in an amount of 66.7 grams. Citric acid and water are the inactive ingredients. For ease of dispensing, a measuring cup is attached to the bottle.
Operating principle
Lactulose is a disaccharide that does not exist in nature, that is, it is obtained synthetically. Its laxative properties have been known for several decades, and at the moment such a substance is considered one of the most effective and safe remedies with a laxative effect. For this reason, it is often added to food (yoghurts, milk, kefir, oatmeal) and even to infant formula.
Once in the small intestine, lactulose is not broken down or absorbed, therefore it is transported with food masses further into the large intestine, where it is used by bifidobacteria and other beneficial microbes as a substrate for their reproduction. Microorganisms convert this disaccharide into organic acids, which have osmotic activity.
It is thanks to this activity that water is retained in the intestinal lumen, which leads to an increase in the volume of feces and activation of peristalsis. The result of such changes will be the stimulation of emptying. Wherein the effect of "Lactulose" appears after 1-2 days after application, since it takes some time for the syrup to enter the intestine and break it down by bacteria.
Indications
Most often "Lactulose" is prescribed for constipation, because such a drug helps to establish physiological bowel movement. It is also used for hemorrhoids, after rectal surgery or before examinations, for example, as a preparation for an irrigoscopy. Another reason for using the syrup can be severe liver disease, which led to encephalopathy. In such patients, Lactulose reduces the level of toxic nitrogen-containing substances, which helps prevent coma and coma.
At what age is it prescribed?
The use of "Lactulose" is possible from birth. Such a medicine is given to both infants and older children, but only on the recommendation of a doctor. The use of such a syrup without an appointment and a preliminary examination by a doctor is not recommended, because in some cases it can harm or be ineffective.
Contraindications
Treatment with Lactulose is prohibited in such situations:
- with intolerance to any ingredient in the syrup;
- if you suspect intestinal obstruction or appendicitis;
- with galactosemia;
- in the presence of an ileo- or colostomy;
- with rectal bleeding;
- with glucose-galactose malabsorption;
- with intolerance to fructose or galactose;
- with a lack of lactase in the body.
If the child has diabetes mellitus, the syrup should be used under medical supervision.
Side effects
Since "Lactulose" stimulates the growth of microflora and gases are formed during the vital activity of beneficial bacteria, their amount often becomes excessive (this is often the case in children under 2 years of age), which causes abdominal pain and other uncomfortable symptoms. To eliminate this side effect, treatment is recommended to start with small doses and increase the dosage gradually.
The use of high doses of syrup provokes diarrhea, to eliminate which should be canceled "Lactulose" or reduce the volume of the drug per day. If the diarrhea is severe, then the use of the drug will lead to an imbalance in electrolyte balance, which will manifest itself as headache, arrhythmia, seizures, weakness and other symptoms.
Instructions for use
It is usually recommended to give "Lactulose" to young patients once a day. The entire daily dose of syrup is given at the same time, for example, after breakfast. Babies are advised to give the remedy before feeding, so that the baby does not give up the syrup and does not regurgitate the drug. A measuring cup is used for dosing, and the smallest children can be given medicine from a syringe without a needle.
The duration of the use of the medication is determined individually and can range from several weeks to 4 months. Babies of the first year of life only need 5 ml of medicine per day. Children 1-7 years old "Lactulose" can also be given 5 ml, but let’s take 10 ml per day. Patients over 7 years old are given 10-15 ml of syrup at one time.
These are the average daily dosages of the drug, but it is worth starting treatment with lower doses, for example, a 6-month-old baby with constipation can first be given only 1 ml of syrup. The next day, a single dose will be 2 ml, and so on. Having determined the effective dosage, the drug continues to be given in it.
If the effect does not appear even when using 5 ml (the recommended dose for babies of the first year), you need to consult a doctor. Higher doses are prescribed for encephalopathy.
Overdose
If a child accidentally drinks more syrup than his or her age, it will cause diarrhea and abdominal pain. To eliminate such symptoms, "Lactulose" is immediately canceled and the patient's condition will soon return to normal. If, due to diarrhea, dehydration has begun or the ratio of electrolytes has been disturbed, the child should be given special drugs that will eliminate these consequences, for example, "Regidron".
Drug interactions
"Lactulose" should not be given simultaneously with any other drugs, so that this does not affect their effectiveness. If the child has to take any other medicine, then there should be a break of about 2 hours between such a reception and the use of Lactulose. When treated with antibiotics and antacids, the therapeutic effect of lactulose is reduced.
Terms of sale and storage
Lactulose is a non-prescription drug, but when buying for a child, it is recommended to consult a doctor first. Store the syrup at home at a temperature below 25 degrees Celsius, placing the bottle in a place hidden from children. The shelf life of the medicine is 3 years.
Reviews
The use of "Lactulose" in children is almost always answered well. According to mothers, such a medicine has a mild effect and good tolerance. In addition, giving it to babies is very convenient, because it is syrup. Side effects while taking "Lactulose", for example, allergies, are rarely noted by parents.
The advantages of the medication also include an affordable price, ease of dosing and the ability to use from birth. In rare negative reviews, they complain of a cloying taste, lack of a healing effect, or addiction with prolonged use.
Analogs
The most famous analogue of Lactulose is the drug Duphalac. It is also a sweet syrup that is sold in 200, 500 and 1000 ml bottles, as well as 15 ml portioned sachets. The concentration of lactulose in this drug is the same, and the indications for admission, possible harm if the dose is exceeded and the side effects of Duphalac and Lactulose are the same.
Other lactulose-based preparations are no less popular, for example, Normaze, Goodluck, Romfalak and Portalak. All of these drugs are also syrups and are used in the same situations as their counterparts. In addition, they, like Lactulose, are also prescribed from birth.
There are also combination drugs in which lactulose is only one of the components. For example, in the composition of "Lactofiltrum" it is supplemented with hydrolytic lignin - a substance with the properties of an enterosorbent. Such tablets are prescribed for children over a year old with dysbiosis, atopic dermatitis and other problems. They can help relieve bloating, bad breath, and other uncomfortable symptoms.
In addition to products that contain lactulose, other medicines can also eliminate constipation in babies. These can be glycerin-based suppositories called "Glycelax". Once introduced into the intestines, they cause reflex motility activation. In a children's dosage, such suppositories are used from three months.
Another laxative drug with a physiological effect that is in demand in childhood is called Forlax. This powder contains macrogol, and after dilution, the solution can be given to children over 6 months old.
For information on what to do so that the child does not have constipation, see the next video.
