Laxitol Laxative Sachet

✔️ Uses of Laxitol

Lactitol is used in constipation.

✔️ How does Laxitol work?

Laxitol works by drawing water into the intestine through osmosis, which makes the stool soft and easier to pass.

✔️ Side Effects of Laxitol

• Initial Treatment: Abdominal discomforts like flatulence, pain, cramps, or fullness.
• Diminishing Effects: Tend to diminish or disappear after regular intake.
• Occasional Reports: Nausea or anal pruritus.

✔️ Quick Suggestions:

• Laxitol is used for the treatment of constipation.
• It should preferably be taken at bedtime as it requires 6 to 8 hours to show effect.
• It is usually taken once a day as needed for up to 2 weeks. Take it exactly as prescribed by the doctor.
• Eat more fiber in your diet. Recommended daily intake is 20-35g
• Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day
• Exercise regularly at least 3 times per week
• Do not hold in stool as that can worsen bowel issues
• Take it at least 2 hours after taking other medicines, as it may interfere with the absorption of other medicines.
• Inform your doctor if you have a history of stomach disorders such as appendicitis or a blockage in your bowel.

✔️ Indication of Laxitol

• It can be used for treating constipation
• The ingredients of the powder help to treat the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
• It works by lowering the intestinal pH and ammonia production

✔️ Pharmacology

• Composition: Disaccharide derivative of galactose and sorbitol.
• Absorption: Weakly absorbed, not hydrolyzed by GIT's disaccharidases.
• Mechanism: Reaches the colon undamaged, broken down by intestinal flora, increases osmotic pressure, and raises stool water content, and volume. Laxative action in the colon's lumen.

✔️ Dosage & Administration of Laxitol

• Mixing: Can be mixed with hot or cold beverages, puddings, etc.
• Constipation (Adults):
  • Initial: 20 g daily, taken with morning or evening meal.
  • Adjusted: After a few days, 10 g daily may be sufficient.
• Constipation (Children):
  • Mean Dosage: 0.25 g/kg body weight daily.
  • Examples:
    • 1 to 6 years: 2.5 to 5 gm.
    • 6 to 12 years: 5 to 10 gm.
    • 12 to 16 years: 10 to 20 gm.
• Portal Systemic Encephalopathy:
  • Initial Recommended Dose: 0.5 to 0.7 gm/kg body weight daily.
  • Divided into three daily doses with meals.

✔️ Interaction

• Avoidance: Antacids and neomycin in cirrhotic individuals with portal-systemic encephalopathy.
• Risk Increase: May increase potassium loss with certain medications (thiazide diuretics, corticosteroids, carbenoxolone, amphotericin B).

✔️ Contraindications

Contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of its constituents.

✔️ Pregnancy & Lactation

• Absorption: Minimally absorbed systemically orally.
• Fetal Exposure: Unknown if maternal use results in fetal exposure.
• Lactation: No data on the presence of human or animal milk, effects on the infant, or milk production.

✔️ Precautions & Warnings

• Regular Monitoring: Elderly or disabled patients on long-term lactitol should have regular serum electrolyte checks.
• Fluid/Electrolyte Imbalances: Rectify pre-existing imbalances before starting treatment.
• Hydrogen Accumulation: May collect in the bowel; thorough bowel cleanse before electrocauterization.
• Contraindicated: Avoid ileostomy or colostomy.
• Avoid Prolonged Use: Best to avoid long-term use without breaks.

✔️ Storage Conditions

• Temperature: Below 30°C.
• Protection: Away from light and moisture.
• Safety: Keep out of children's reach.