Who can take lactulose
Most adults and young people aged 14 years and over can take lactulose.
Babies and children aged under 14 can take lactulose if their doctor recommends it. Do not give lactulose to a child under the age of 14 unless their doctor has said it's OK.
Who may not be able to take lactulose
Lactulose is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:
- have ever had an allergic reaction to lactulose or any other medicine
- have a rare health problem where the body cannot process a sugar called galactose (galactosaemia)
- have diabetes, as lactulose may affect your blood sugar levels if you need to take high doses for a long time to treat hepatic encephalopathy
- have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as lactulose increases gas and bloating in the stomach, which can make IBS worse