Looz Syrup Uses in Constipation treatment and Side effects

Looz Syrup is allopathic medicine used in case of constipation. It is also used in the liver disease, and to treats, and prevent complications of the liver disease (hepatic encephalopathy). Looz works by drawing water into the intestine through osmosis, which makes the stool soft, and easier to pass.

Looz syrup salt composition

Lactulose

MANUFACTURER

Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd

What is Lactulose

Lactulose (B-galactosido-fructose), is a synthetic sugar used to treat constipation. It is a synthetic disaccharide which is not digested in the small intestine since the specific disaccharidase is lacking.

Lactulose is synthesized from fructose, and galactose, and is nondigestible in mammals.

It passes unabsorbed down to the large intestine where resident bacteria consume it, and produce lactic, acetic, and formic acids, which draw fluid into the bowel to soften the stool (laxative effect).

Acidification of the colon contents attracts ammonia from the bloodstream, assisting stool excretion.

Lactulose is helpful in the liver failure when ammonia cannot be detoxified.

Lactulose is also used to reduce the amount of ammonia in the blood of patients with the liver disease.

It works by drawing ammonia from the blood into the colon where it is removed from the body.

Looz Indications

Looz usually is taken once a day for the treatment of constipation, and three or four times a day for the liver disease.

• Constipation
• Hepatic encephalopathy

Hepatic encephalopathy (a the liver disease causing confusion, tremor, decreased level of consciousness including coma). This is also known as a ‘hepatic coma’.

Absorption, and Elimination

Looz is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract as no human enzyme that is capable of hydrolysis of this disaccharide is present in human gastrointestinal tissue.

Lactulose is completely metabolized in the colon by enteric bacteria. The primary route of elimination is fecal. Urinary excretion has been determined to be 3% or less, and is essentially complete within 24 hours.

Contraindications of Looz

Do not take Looz if:

• You are allergic (hypersensitive) to lactulose or any of the other ingredients of Lactulose Solution.
• You have a rare problem called ‘galactosaemia’.
• You have an intestinal blockage caused by anything else but normal constipation, digestive perforation or risk of digestive perforation.
• Do not take Looz if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Looz.

You should not take Lactulose Solution if you suffer from:

• Galactose or fructose intolerance
• Glucose-galactose malabsorption

Dosage, and how to use looz syrup

Lactulose Solution takes 2 to 3 days to start working.

Check the label for directions before use.  Squeeze the bottle until the liquid fills the recommended measure 5 ml/10 ml/ 15 ml/ 20 ml. Tilt the bottle, and drink it.

Constipation

Adults, and adolescents: The starting dose is 15-45ml per day. After this, the dose can be adjusted to 15-30ml daily.

• Children 7 to 14 years: The starting dose is 15ml. After this, the dose can be adjusted to 10- 15ml daily.
• Children 1 to 6 years: The usual dose is 5-10ml daily.
• Infants under 1 year: The usual dose is up to 5ml daily.

Hepatic encephalopathy (adults only)

Adults: The usual starting dose is 3 to 4 times a day of 30-45ml.

Use in Children: No information is available for the treatment of children (newborn to 18 years of age) with hepatic encephalopathy.

Use in elderly patients, and patients with renal or hepatic insufficiency: No special dosage recommendations exist.

You can mix your dose with one-half glass of water, milk, or fruit juice.

Looz Syrup may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

It is recommended that you drink plenty of fluids (approximately 6-8 glasses throughout the day).

Chronic use of unadjusted dosages (exceeding 2-3 soft stools per day) or misuse can lead to diarrhea, and disturbance of the electrolytes balance.

During the treatment with laxatives, you should drink sufficient amounts of fluids (approx. 2 liters/day, equal to 6-8 glasses).

Diabetes, and Liver disease

If you have diabetes, and are treated for hepatic encephalopathy, your dose of Lactulose Solution will be higher. This high dose contains a large amount of sugar. Therefore, your anti-diabetic medicine may need to be adjusted.

If you take Lactulose Solution for several days, and there is no improvement in your condition or if your symptoms worsen, please contact your doctor.

Looz syrup side effects

Like all medicines, Looz Solution can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Looz side effects include diarrhea, and resultant dehydration. Common side effects of Looz are given below:

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

Diarrhea

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• Flatulence (wind)
• Nausea (feeling sick)
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

Electrolyte imbalance due to diarrhea

Flatulence may occur during the first few days of treatment. As a rule, it disappears after a few days. When dosages higher than instructed are used, abdominal pain, and diarrhea may occur. In such a case the dosage should be decreased.

Pregnancy

Looz is probably safe to use during pregnancy.

Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effect on the fetus, however, there are limited human studies. Please consult your doctor.

Lactation

Looz Syrup is probably safe to use during lactation.

Limited human data suggest that the drug does not represent a significant risk to the baby.

Pediatric Use

In special circumstances, your doctor may prescribe Lactulose Solution for a child, infant or baby.

In these cases, your doctor will supervise the treatment carefully.

Lactulose Solution should only be given to infants, and smaller children if indicated as it can influence the normal reflexes for passing stools.

Suggestions

• Read the label.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist or nurse.