Can “diabetic babies” take lactulose oral solution?

If you have a "diabetic baby" (a baby with diabetes), you need to be careful about what they eat and take medicine, especially foods or medicines that contain "sugar". The doctor prescribed lactulose oral solution for a constipated "diabetic baby", and the parents were panicked: "Lactulose contains sugar, can it be used by the "diabetic baby"? Will it affect blood sugar?" Let's unveil the mystery of lactulose oral solution.

1.What is lactulose?

Lactulose is an osmotic laxative that retains water and electrolytes in the intestines, increases stool bulk, and thus stimulates intestinal peristalsis, keeps stools smooth, and relieves constipation.

2. Does lactulose affect blood sugar?

Lactulose is a synthetic disaccharide. Since the human body does not have an enzyme that can decompose lactulose, lactulose is hardly absorbed after oral administration and enters the colon in its original form. Therefore, lactulose itself has no effect on blood sugar. However, in addition to non-absorbable lactulose, lactulose oral solution also contains a small amount of auxiliary materials such as galactose and lactose. After lactose is decomposed, glucose can be produced and absorbed, which increases blood sugar.

As can be seen from the table above, the absorbable sugar content contained in lactulose oral solution is very small, and the absorbable sugar content at the dose for constipation treatment is even smaller.

3. Can “diabetic babies” take lactulose?

Lactulose is not absorbed after oral administration, has a mild effect and good safety. Only at the dose for constipation treatment, it will not affect diabetic patients, and children with good blood sugar control can take it with confidence; when lactulose oral solution is used to treat hepatic coma or pre-coma, the dose is higher, and diabetic patients should use it with caution. In addition, it is contraindicated for those who are intolerant to lactose or galactose.

4. Precautions for using lactulose

① The lactose content in products from different manufacturers may vary. Sucrose, caramel, etc. may be added to the auxiliary materials of some products, which may affect blood sugar and require close monitoring.

② Lactulose oral solution should be taken once about 20 minutes before breakfast. Drinking plenty of water after taking it will have a better effect. It usually takes 1-2 days to take effect. If there is no improvement after 2-3 days, please consult a doctor.

③ If taken for more than 6 months, regular blood tests are required to monitor electrolytes. Patients with poor blood sugar control, gastrointestinal obstruction, allergies to lactulose and its components, and diabetic patients with lactase deficiency or galactosemia should avoid using it.

Tips:

Although lactulose is effective and safe, drugs are not the first choice for treating constipation. Increasing the intake of dietary fiber and water, increasing exercise and other lifestyle adjustments, and establishing good bowel habits (regular toileting, keeping a bowel movement diary, establishing a reward system for successful bowel movements, etc.) are basic measures for treating constipation. When these measures are ineffective, drug treatment or other treatments can be used.

References:

1. Instructions for use of lactulose oral solution.

2. Medication Assistant APP

3. Consensus of Chinese experts on chronic constipation (2019, Guangzhou)