Almost all people face bowel problems, regardless of age. Laxatives based on lactulose will help get rid of constipation and improve the functioning of the digestive tract. A safe remedy is Lactuvit - the instructions for use indicate that this medicine has a mild effect and does not cause side effects. Let us consider in more detail the features of the composition, the mechanism of action and reviews about the drug.
general description
Intestinal microflora is responsible for the health of the entire human body and inhibits the development of pathogenic microorganisms. With violations in the digestive system, difficulties often arise with bowel movements, which violates the usual rhythm of life. “Lactuvit” will help to cope with an unpleasant phenomenon. Instructions, contraindications and recommendations regarding the use of this drug will be discussed below.
The product in the form of a syrup is produced by the Ukrainian pharmaceutical company Yuria-Pharm. The drug is packaged in 100 ml bottles and plastic nebula (2 ml of syrup in each).
The laxative effect is provided by a synthetic disaccharide - lactulose. It is a unique carbohydrate found in breast milk. Synthetic substance is a bifidus factor that stimulates the growth of bifidobacteria, which allows not only to eliminate constipation, but also to affect their etiology - dysbiosis.
Structure
5 ml of syrup contains 3.335 g of the active ingredient - lactulose. The medicine has a viscous consistency, a light yellow tint and a pleasant sweetish taste. In quality of auxiliary components as a part of "Lactuvita" only purified water is used.
How does Lactuvit work?
Instructions for use classifies this medicine as an osmotic laxative. The mechanism of action of lactulose-based syrup is as close as possible to dietary fiber, and therefore is used as an ideal medium for the propagation of beneficial bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.
The syrup passes through the small intestine unchanged. The medicine begins to act only in the large intestine, where under the influence of bifidobacteria it breaks down into lactic, acetic, propionic and butyric acid.
The active substance improves and stimulates peristalsis, softens the contents of the lower parts of the large intestine. Under the influence of lactulose, there is a decrease in acidity and the formation of nitrogen-containing toxins. The enhanced growth of beneficial microflora contributes to the suppression of the vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms. In the gastrointestinal tract, the absorption of the components of the drug "Lactuvit" does not occur.
Instructions for use, expert reviews indicate that a laxative can be used to treat almost all patients suffering from constipation. The effect of the drug should be expected in about a day. If the dosage is observed, the product is excreted in processed form along with feces.
Indications for appointment
The main task of the syrup is to relax and normalize the work of the large intestine. A significant advantage of this medication is the lack of addiction, which allows you to use it for a long time.
But “Lactuvit” can only be prescribed by a specialist, after finding out the reasons that led to the development of difficulties with bowel movement. The manufacturer recommends the use of syrup in the following cases:
- chronic constipation;
- liver failure;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- intestinal dysbiosis;
- hypercholesterolemia;
- hepatitis;
- salmonellosis;
- hepatic encephalopathy;
- intoxication of the body of various etiologies.
The laxative "Lactuvit" instruction allows the use in the postoperative period to facilitate the bowel movement. Syrup is often prescribed to patients before a medical examination.
Pediatric Use
Parents of infants often face stool retention. This can be determined by the way the child is pushing, becoming restless and groaning when trying to defecate. By the way, constipation in babies is considered the absence of a stool for 2 days. However, it should be borne in mind that if the baby has a normal appetite, his stomach does not bother him and, despite the infrequent stool, the stool consistency is normal - you should not worry about delayed bowel movements.
With functional constipation in a baby, it is allowed to use drugs based on lactulose, for example Lactuvit syrup. Instructions for use (for children, the drug is absolutely safe) recommends giving the drug to babies from the first months of life. Osmotic laxative effectively eliminates stool retention and normalizes microflora.
Dosage
The initial dose for adult patients is 20 ml of syrup per day. In severe cases, you will need to take at least 30 ml of the drug. After normalization of the intestines, the syrup is taken in 10 ml as a maintenance dose. “Lactuvit” should be drunk once a day before meals and washed down with plenty of water (at least 200 ml).
For infants, syrup is prescribed 2.5 ml. Multiplicity of application - 1-2 times a day. For children from 1 to 6 years old, the dosage is increased to 2.5-5 ml, and from 6 to 12 years old - to 5-7.5 ml of the drug twice a day. According to this scheme, a laxative is taken within 7-10 days. If necessary, the doctor may extend the therapy with Lactuvit. Instructions for use recommend that you cancel the syrup gradually, reducing the dose within a week.
Patients with hepatic encephalopathy or coma are prescribed a large dose of the laxative "Lactuvit". At a time, you need to take 30-50 ml of syrup. Up to 190 ml of the drug is allowed to be used per day.
Contraindications, side effects
"Lactuvit" (syrup) instructions prohibit the appointment of persons with hypersensitivity to lactulose, intestinal obstruction, rectal bleeding, dehydration. For acute abdominal pain of an unknown genesis, vomiting and nausea, the drug is also not used.
Exceeding the recommended dosages by a specialist or specialist may lead to the development of side effects. Most often, this manifests itself in the form of diarrhea. It will be possible to normalize the condition when the dose of syrup is reduced or it is completely canceled.
In the first days of treatment with the drug, patients sometimes experience symptoms of transient flatulence, which pass on their own. Such unpleasant phenomena as bloating, colic and cramps may be disturbing. Allergic reactions rarely occur in the form of rashes on the skin, urticaria.
Reviews
Lactulose-based medicine has earned many positive recommendations. The advantage of Lactuvit syrup is its safety and high efficiency. It is often used in pediatric practice in the fight against functional constipation, even in infants. Means kids tolerate well.
If there is no result, replace Lactuvit. Instructions for use do not allow taking several laxatives at the same time.
On the basis of lactulose, drugs such as Dufalac, Normase, and Normolact are produced. But in addition to treatment with laxatives, it is necessary to use a large amount of liquid, normalize the diet, eliminating harmful products from it. To determine the exact etiology of constipation, it is better to consult a specialist.