Ispaghula+lactitol
About
Ispaghula+lactitol belongs to the class of medicines called laxatives used to treat constipation. Constipation refers to infrequent bowel movements in which the stools are often dry, painful, and hard to pass. Constipation occurs when the normal muscle contractions in the large intestine slow down, which causes the incomplete elimination of the bowel from the body. Symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain, and feeling as if the bowel movement is incomplete.
Ispaghula+lactitol contains Ispaghula and Lactitol. Ispaghula is a bulk-forming laxative that works by increasing the amount of water in the stool, making the stool softer and easier to pass. Lactitol is a disaccharide sugar. It works by breaking down into low-molecular-weight organic acids in the colon, which increases the osmotic pressure. This causes an increase in water content in stools and stool volume, thereby making the stool softer and easier to pass. Thus, Ispaghula+lactitol provides relief from constipation.
Take Ispaghula+lactitol as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Ispaghula+lactitol for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. You may experience certain common side effects in some cases, such as abdominal distension, cramps, and flatulence (gas). Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Drink plenty of fluids (at least 6-8 glasses) while taking Ispaghula+lactitol. Consult your doctor before taking Ispaghula+lactitol if you are pregnant or breastfeeding; your doctor will prescribe you Ispaghula+lactitol only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Inform your doctor if there is no bowel movement or if you find rectal bleeding after taking Ispaghula+lactitol. Do not take Ispaghula+lactitol for more than a week as it might cause dependency on Ispaghula+lactitol for a bowel movement.
Uses of Ispaghula+lactitol
Medicinal Benefits
Ispaghula+lactitol belongs to a group of medicines known as laxatives used to treat constipation. Ispaghula+lactitol is a combination of two drugs: Ispaghula and Lactitol. Ispaghula is a bulk-forming laxative that increases the amount of water in the stool, making the stool softer and easier to pass. On the other hand, Lactitol is a disaccharide sugar. It breaks down into low-molecular-weight organic acids in the colon, increasing the osmotic pressure. This causes an increase in water content in stools, and stool volume, thereby making the stool softer and easier to pass. Thus, Ispaghula+lactitol helps provide relief from constipation.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ispaghula+lactitol
- Bloating
- Stomach cramps
- Flatulence (gas)
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Ispaghula+lactitol if you are allergic to any of its contents. Consult your doctor before taking Ispaghula+lactitol if you are pregnant or breastfeeding; your doctor will prescribe you Ispaghula+lactitol only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Regularly monitor serum electrolytes, blood lactose, and blood glucose levels while taking Ispaghula+lactitol. Talk to your doctor if there is no bowel movement or if you find rectal bleeding after taking Ispaghula+lactitol. Do not take Ispaghula+lactitol if you have an ileostomy, colostomy, galactosemia (galactose indigestion disorder), intestinal obstruction, unexplained abdominal pain, or bleeding. Inform your doctor if you have diabetes or if you have to undergo a colonoscopy. Do not take Ispaghula+lactitol for more than a week as it may cause dependency on Ispaghula+lactitol for a bowel movement.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Ispaghula+lactitol may have Interaction with antibiotic medicines (e.g. neomycin, tetracycline), cardiac glycoside medicines (e.g. digitalis), anti-fungal medicines (e.g. amphotericin B), corticosteroid medicines (e.g. hydrocortisone), and thiazide diuretic medicines (e.g. chlorothiazide, indapamide), and medicines used to treat ulcers (e.g. carbenoxolone),
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Ispaghula+lactitol may have interactions with intestinal obstruction disorder, ileostomy, colostomy, and galactosemia (galactose indigestion disorder).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThe interaction of alcohol with Ispaghula+lactitol is unknown. Please seek medical advice from your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor before taking Ispaghula+lactitol if you are pregnant; your doctor will prescribe you Ispaghula+lactitol if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known whether Ispaghula+lactitol passes into the mother’s milk. Please consult your doctor before taking Ispaghula+lactitol if you are breastfeeding; your doctor will prescribe you Ispaghula+lactitol if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
safe if prescribedIspaghula+lactitol has negligible influence on your ability to drive.
Liver
safe if prescribedIspaghula+lactitol is safe to use if prescribed by the doctor. Please seek medical advice from your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
safe if prescribedIspaghula+lactitol is safe to use if prescribed by the doctor. Please seek medical advice from your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
cautionIspaghula+lactitol should not be given to children below 12 years of age as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Try maintaining a balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Stay hydrated, drink enough water and fluids.
- Exercise regularly, and stay fit.
- Get enough sleep.
- Try to make time to empty your bowels whenever the body tells you to.
- Eat fibre-rich foods such as whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, flaxseed, nuts, beans, lentils, fruits (berries, apples, oranges, bananas, pears, figs), and vegetables (broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, avocados).
Special Advise
- Maintain adequate fluid intake while taking Ispaghula+lactitol.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Constipation: It refers to infrequent bowel movements. The stools are often dry, painful, and hard to pass. Constipation is a condition in which the person has fewer than three bowel movements in a week. However, bowel patterns may vary from person to person. Symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain, and feeling as if the bowel movement is incomplete. Constipation occurs when the normal muscle contractions in the large intestine slow down, which causes the incomplete elimination of the bowel from the body. Constipation could be associated with a sudden change of diet, a diet with less fibre, not drinking enough liquids, and lack of exercise.
FAQs
Ispaghula+lactitol causes an increase in water content in stools and stool volume, thereby making the stool softer and easier to pass. Thus, providing relief from constipation.
Diarrhoea might occur if Ispaghula+lactitol is taken in larger doses. Drink lots of fluids and eat fibre-rich food if you experience diarrhoea. If you find blood in stools (tarry stools) or experience excess diarrhoea consult your doctor. Do not take anti-diarrheal medicine on your own.
Do not take Ispaghula+lactitol for more than a week as it might lead to dependency on Ispaghula+lactitol for a bowel movement. Taking Ispaghula+lactitol for longer durations might also cause dehydration and imbalance of fluids and salts in the body, affecting the tightness of muscles in the intestine. Consult your doctor if your bowel movement is irregular even after taking Ispaghula+lactitol for a week.
Please let your doctor know if you have a history of stomach or intestinal blockage, appendicitis, swallowing problems, rectal bleeding, diabetes, phenylketonuria and reduced bowel movements before starting Ispaghula+lactitol.
