According to the instructions, Dufalac helps adults and children with constipation. The medication is available in the form of a syrup, has a rather viscous consistency. Color options - from transparent to brownish and yellowish shades. The main component that ensures the effectiveness of the drug is lactulose. 100.7 ml of the drug contains 66.7 g of the active compound. As an auxiliary substance, purified water is used. Consider the features of the effectiveness of Dufalac and the rules for its safe use.
What's on sale?
There are four forms of release of Dufalac. The drug in any of the options is made in the form of a syrup, but it is packaged in containers that differ in volume. The smallest option is a bag containing one dose of medication. Its volume is 15 ml. The manufacturer packs such bags in cardboard boxes - ten pieces per package. In some pharmaceutical outlets you can only buy full packaging, some are sold individually.
Large in size, the release form of Dufalac is a bottle made of polyethylene. Capacity - 200 ml. The manufacturer completes the product with a glass, which is convenient to measure the dose recommended by the doctor.
Another form of release of Dufalac is a half-liter plastic bottle. The maximum capacity is liter. In any of the options, the manufacturer supplies a measuring cup complete with medicine. This simplifies the use of the medication in accordance with the volumes recommended by specialists.
Basic information
Regardless of the form of release, Dufalac is a laxative. Whatever the packaging, the composition of the drug in it does not change. The drug has inherent osmotic and hypoammonia effects. Lactulose is active in the intestinal lumen. Due to the presence of useful microscopic life forms, cleavage occurs, and low-molecular acidic organic compounds are generated that lower the level of acidity of the intestinal lumen. The volume of substances in the intestines increases due to the effect of osmosis, peristalsis is activated. Under the influence of the remedy, the consistency of the excreted becomes normal, the constipation disappears, the physiological rhythm stabilizes.
According to the instructions for Dufalac syrup, to explain the effectiveness of the drug in the case of precoma, liver coma, encephalopathy of this organ, it is necessary to pay attention to several mechanisms of its action. Experiments have shown that the active compound inhibits the spread of proteolytic microorganisms, as it stimulates the reproduction of acidophilic. Under the influence of the agent, ammonia ions are captured, as the intestinal contents become acidic. A gradually decreasing level of acidity leads to an effective cleansing of the intestinal tract from accumulated contents. The role of the effect of osmosis plays a role.
Process features
Studies have shown that the use of Dufalac for constipation against the background of pathological conditions of the liver is associated with the utilization of ammonia molecules for biological reactions inside the cell. The metabolic processes occurring with the participation of bacteria are somewhat corrected, and a particularly pronounced effect is observed with respect to nitrogen compounds.
The doctor, planning to prescribe the remedy, must take into account that an excess of ammonia cannot provoke neuropsychic encephalopathic hepatic manifestations. Ammonia can be considered as a sample reflecting reactions involving other nitrogen compounds.
As a probiotic, the use of Dufalac syrup is reasonable if it is necessary to activate the ability of the bacteria necessary for human health to develop. The substance is particularly pronounced affects the colony of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria. At the same time, the ability of microorganisms that are potentially dangerous to humans to inhibit the ability to reproduce is inhibited. In particular, Dufalac controls the development of colonies of E. coli, clostridia. The use of syrup allows you to achieve an optimal healthy balance of various forms of microscopic life in the intestinal tract.
Kinetics
When using Dufalac, adults and children have a reduced ability to absorb the active compound. Lactulose does not transform with the passage of the esophagus and stomach; it invariably enters the colon, where metabolic reactions involving microscopic life forms occur. It is here that organic acidic substances appear. Absolute metabolism is noted when taking volumes of 25-50 g, 40-75 ml. If you use the product in large volumes, a certain percentage of the absorbed drug is excreted in urine. The non-transformed (initial) form of the active compound is detected in the liquid.
When is it useful?
The use of Dufalac for children and adults is recommended in case of constipation, since the product belongs to the class of effectively regulating the physiological intestinal rhythm, normalizes and stabilizes the process of emptying the intestinal tract. The medicine is prescribed if the patient's condition requires softening of the intestinal contents due to medical indications. This is possible, in particular, against the background of hemorrhoids, it is shown to people who have undergone surgery in the intestinal tract, perianal zone.
Dufalac is prescribed if liver encephalopathy is established. The drug is not only therapeutic, but also prophylactic, it reduces the risks of precoma, liver coma.
Dosage
How much “Dufalac” to take, how long the program is needed, the doctor will tell you by writing out a remedy. The medication is intended for oral administration. It can be diluted, but not necessary. The volume for a single dose should be swallowed immediately. It is forbidden to hold the medicine in the mouth for a long time. The doctor determines the volumes individually, based on the diagnosis and the expected effect.
If the doctor has prescribed to take "Dufalac" once a day, it is advisable to use the drug stably at the same time. The manufacturer advises, if possible, to take the medication while having breakfast. The entire period of the use of laxatives requires drinking one and a half liters of fluid daily. The optimal amount in glasses is from six to eight.
Sometimes the daily dosage of the drug is divided into two servings. To determine the volume, you must use a measuring cup that accompanies the medicine. A few days after the start of the therapeutic course, a transition to a support program is allowed. In order to have a therapeutic effect, Dufalac has to be taken within 2-3 days.
About the specifics
Syrup is the main form of release of Dufalac (capsules with this name are not produced). Dosage characteristics take into account the liquid consistency of the drug.
Children under the age of one year are recommended to use 5 ml of the substance. Initial and maintenance doses are the same. For babies under the age of six, the doctor determines the dose in the range of 5-10 ml. For children under 14 years of age, it is indicated to begin treatment with 15 ml of the drug. The maintenance dosage is 10-15 ml. Persons older should use "Dufalac" in an amount of 15-45 ml at first. To maintain the therapeutic effect, the drug is prescribed from 15 ml to twice as much volume.
In case of precoma, liver coma “Dufalac” is prescribed only if the patient is an adult. Initially, the medicine is used in an amount of 30-45 ml up to four times daily. Gradually, the patient is transferred to a maintenance dosage. The doctor determines its volumes strictly individually, based on the reaction of the body of a particular patient. It is necessary to provide the patient the opportunity to defecate from two to three times a day.
Undesirable consequences
According to the instructions for use with Dufalac syrup, the risk of gas formation in adults and children at first increases. Flatulence worries only the first few days, then the phenomenon is independently exhausted. If the patient uses the medicine in a dosage exceeding the recommended accompanying documentation, there is a possibility of diarrhea, the stomach may hurt. In order to neutralize undesirable reactions, it is necessary to reduce the amount of active compound entering the body.
It is not yet possible to establish exactly how often side effects occur, since all information about them became available only after the marketing program. As noted in the instructions, with constipation "Dufalac" helps to soften the contents of the intestines, but there is a risk of diarrhea. So, there is a risk of imbalance of salts and fluids in the body.
As observations of patients have shown, taking the drug can provoke soreness in the abdomen, increased gas formation. Occasionally sick and vomit.
Is it possible or not?
“Dufalac” for constipation, liver encephalopathy is strictly forbidden to take if increased susceptibility of the active substance of the drug is established. If a person knows the allergic reactions to the ingredients used in the pharmaceutical industry, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the accompanying instructions before starting the next package, in which the manufacturer lists all the components that make up the drug. The composition of the drug may change over time, which means that there is a chance of introducing components that provoke allergies.
It is forbidden by the Dufalak instruction for children and adults in case of obstruction of the intestinal tract. A categorical contraindication is galactosemia.
Dufalac is allowed to be used by pregnant and lactating mothers. Lactulose - the main active component of the drug - does not have a systemic effect on the body. A study was conducted of more than a thousand pregnant women who used Dufalac for constipation. The results prove the absence of the fetotoxic, embryonic poisoning effect of the drug. Similarly, due to the lack of a systemic effect, the substance is not dangerous for a breast-fed baby.
Special occasion
It is allowed to use the remedy for liver diseases. There is no information about taking the drug by people with impaired renal function.
According to the instructions, for children "Dufalac" is recommended only when strictly necessary. It is necessary to observe a doctor during the entire course of use of the drug. There is a possibility of a violation of the defecation reflex. These risks must be considered when planning a therapeutic program.
If for several days in a row the desired result is not observed, you need to consult a doctor for a second consultation. With lactose intolerance, the medication is prescribed exclusively carefully, monitoring the patient's condition. Caution requires diabetes. If encephalopathy of the liver, precoma or coma of the organ became the reason for prescribing the drug, this forces the use of Dufalac in high dosage.
Against the background of diabetes, it is especially important to control the amount of lactulose that enters the body. The preparation contains fructose, galactose, lactose. You can not take the remedy if a person has rare genetic diseases associated with intolerance to these substances, lack of lactase.
Overdose
It is established that excessive use of the drug "Dufalac" can be the cause of an overdose. It is indicated by pain in the stomach, pathological loose stools. When observing such manifestations, it is necessary to reduce the volume of the drug or completely abandon the therapeutic course. Excessive loss of moisture against the background of loose stools, vomiting can cause a violation of the ratio of electrolytes, fluid in the body.
What patients say
As can be seen from the reviews, “Dufalac” is prescribed quite often, since problems with stools to one degree or another are sooner or later observed in many. Persons taking the drug note its safety, a mild effect. Adverse reactions (except flatulence) are observed quite rarely. Doctors also recognize Dufalac as effective and safe, which makes it suitable for use in pediatrics.
For the smallest
The peculiarity of the baby is an imperfect, rather poorly functioning digestive system. The first few months of autonomous existence after birth are associated with problems with the stomach. A newborn suffers from them, but parents also quickly notice that something is wrong - the child cries, eats badly and sleeps. In children at this age, dysbiosis, constipation are most often detected. One of the effective methods for correcting the condition is the considered Dufalac remedy.
The first few weeks after the birth of a child, the number of bowel movements per day reaches a dozen. The process is gradually getting better, after a few months the baby defecates no more than three times daily, but the intestinal tract is still not fully functioning, therefore, the risk of constipation increases significantly. They are diagnosed if there is no act of defecation for 2-3 days, if the parents note that the bowel movement is difficult for the child, the child cries, strains. In this case, the discharge will be dry and dense.
Features
It is noted that in children who are fed breast milk, constipation is rare, as the product is well and quickly absorbed, rich in beneficial microflora, which optimizes digestive processes. Constipation is more likely to bother those who eat mixtures and artificial substitutes for the product. The child does not always tolerate the ingredients used by the manufacturer in the manufacture of baby food. In addition, parents may practice improper feeding, which also increases the risk of constipation. However, do not overestimate the danger of this condition: systemic treatment is not necessary.
Noting the child's problems with stool, you need to show the child to the doctor. The doctor will determine what caused the phenomenon, and on the basis of this will choose an effective correction method. Often prescribed "Dufalac." A distinctive feature of the product is the naturalness of the components, since the drug is prepared on whey. Lactulose does not cause degenerative changes in the digestive tract. Carbohydrate belongs to the class of disaccharides, there is no systemic absorption. It is able to absorb water, stimulating the dilution of contents and an increase in substances in volume. As a result, the muscle walls contract.
A child receiving Dufalac usually has a healthy intestinal microflora, as its composition normalizes. Under the influence of the drug, phosphate, calcium compounds are better absorbed, poisonous components that come from the external environment are more quickly eliminated.
Risks and their absence
As studies have shown, you can give "Dufalac" even to newborns who were born a day or two ago. Under the influence of the medication, addiction is not formed. Its use does not lead to dehydration. If the doctor prescribes Dufalac, do not be afraid that the product will harm the baby - the drug is natural and safe.
In pharmacies, he is released without a special prescription form. The taste of the drug is sweet, which simplifies the treatment of the child. The medication can be prescribed for children with enteritis, colitis. The drug is used as part of a combined course of treatment for foodborne infection.