Duphalac is a drug used in gastroenterology and family medicine to treat chronic constipation and disorders caused by liver failure. The preparation affects the digestive tract and has laxative properties. Duphalac is available as a syrup and is available without a prescription.
Duphalac (Solvay Pharma Polska)
| form, dose, packaging | availability category | the active substance |
| syrup 0,667 g / ml (10 g / 15 ml) (10 sachets 15 ml, 150 ml) | OTC (over-the-counter) | lactulose |
Duphalac – indications for use
The active substance in Duphalac is lactulose, an osmotic laxative. It is given to people suffering from constipation in order to regulate the physiological function of the colon, as well as to soften the stool for medical reasons (haemorrhoids, conditions after operations in the colon or anus).
Dosage of Duphalac:
- Adults: initially 15-45 ml / day, then 15-30 ml / day.
- Children from 7 to 14. years of age: initially 15 ml / day, then 10-15 ml / day.
- Children from 1 to 6 years of age: 5-10 ml / d.
- Infants: 5 ml / day.
- Hepatic encephalopathy – prevention and treatment of hepatic coma and pre-coma: initially 30-45 ml 3-4 × / day, then adjust the dose individually so that the patient passes 2-3 loose stools / day; Stool pH should be in the range of 5,0-5,5.
Duphalac and contraindications and warnings
Contraindications to the use of Duphalac are: hypersensitivity to any component of the preparation, galactosemia, sudden abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction.
Duphalac – warnings:
- If constipation does not improve after a few days of using the preparation, a doctor should be consulted.
- The preparation contains galactose (up to 100 mg / ml) and lactose (up to 60 mg / ml); should not be used by people with hereditary intolerance to certain sugars. Patients with diabetes should know that the use of the preparation in doses recommended for the treatment of constipation should not affect the regulation of blood glucose (sugar) levels; higher doses used to treat hepatic coma may have this effect.
- Prolonged or improper use of the preparation may lead to diarrhea and disturbances in water and electrolyte balance.
- When using laxatives, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids (1,5-2 liters a day, i.e. about 6-8 glasses).
- Before using the drug during pregnancy or breastfeeding, consult your doctor.
Duphalac – interactions:
Since lactulose lowers the pH of the large intestine (the contents of the large intestine become acidic), it may reduce the effect of drugs whose release depends on the pH of the colon (e.g. drugs from the aminosalicylate group).
Duphalac – side effects:
The following may occur: transient flatulence (especially in the initial period of using the preparation), abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting. If the administered dose is too high, diarrhea and abdominal pain may occur; then the dose should be reduced.