Osmotic laxative
Last reviewed July 2026
Who is this for?
Lactulose is a type of sugar solution that works as a laxative by drawing water into your bowel to soften your stool and make it easier to pass.
Increases stool osmolarity by remaining unabsorbed in the colon, drawing water into the intestinal lumen and softening faeces to promote bowel motility. In hepatic encephalopathy, reduces colonic pH through bacterial metabolism to ammonia, promoting conversion of ammonia to non-absorbable ammonium ions and decreasing systemic ammonia levels.
Constipation (hard stool, difficulty going to toilet), hepatic encephalopathy (confusion caused by liver problems where the liver cannot clear toxins properly)
Available Over The Counter
Get this from any pharmacy or chemist: no prescription needed.
Explore this drug
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, just skip the missed one. Do not take a double dose to catch up.
Buy only trusted brands like Constistop, Jolax, Lactusafe, or Osmowin from registered pharmacies, and avoid buying from roadside sellers or open markets where storage conditions are poor. If constipation does not improve after 3 days of use, see a doctor rather than increasing the dose on your own. Drink plenty of water while taking lactulose to help it work properly and prevent dehydration.
Avoid taking antacids (like magnesium-containing ones) at the same time as lactulose, as they can reduce its effectiveness. If you are taking other laxatives alongside lactulose, you may lose too much water and minerals from your body. Lactulose may affect how certain antibiotics like neomycin work if you are using it for liver problems.
Check your specific combination
Is it safe to take Lactulose with your other drugs?
Lactulose is generally considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but it is best to consult your doctor before using it.
Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight and heat. Do not freeze it. Keep the bottle tightly closed after use and store it where children cannot reach it. In hot Nigerian weather, a cool dry cupboard is ideal.
For information only: not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.
Names this drug is sold under, especially in Nigerian and West African pharmacies
Tap a brand for packaging, NAFDAC details and authenticity check
Counterfeit Drug Warning
Fake drugs are a serious problem in Nigeria. Always buy from a registered pharmacy. If the packaging looks different from what is described above, do not use it.