Lactitol+benzoic Acid
About
Lactitol+benzoic Acid belongs to the group of medicines called laxatives used to treat constipation. Additionally, Lactitol+benzoic Acid is also used to prevent hepatic encephalopathy (decrease in brain function due to liver disease). Constipation refers to infrequent bowel movements in which the stools are often dry, painful and hard to pass. Hepatic encephalopathy is a liver disease in which the liver does not remove the toxins from the body, which leads to loss of brain function.
Lactitol+benzoic Acid is a combination of two drugs: Lactitol (laxative) and benzoic acid (organic compound). Lactitol causes an increase in water content in stools and stool volume, thereby making the stool softer and easier to pass and providing relief from constipation. In patients with hepatic encephalopathy, lactitol lowers the colon pH, thereby suppressing the absorption of unionized ammonia and other toxins. It also enhances nitrogen excretion through faeces. Benzoic acid acts as a preservative.
You are advised to take Lactitol+benzoic Acid for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects 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.
Regularly monitoring of serum electrolytes, blood lactose and blood glucose levels is advised. Talk to your doctor if there is no bowel movement or if you find rectal bleeding after taking Lactitol+benzoic Acid. Do not take Lactitol+benzoic Acid for more than a week as it might cause dependency on Lactitol+benzoic Acid for a bowel movement. Consult your doctor before taking Lactitol+benzoic Acid if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your doctor will prescribe you Lactitol+benzoic Acid only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Uses of Lactitol+benzoic Acid
Medicinal Benefits
Lactitol+benzoic Acid belongs to the group of medicines called laxatives used to treat constipation. Additionally, Lactitol+benzoic Acid is also used to prevent hepatic encephalopathy (decrease in brain function due to liver disease). Lactitol+benzoic Acid is a combination of two drugs: Lactitol (laxative) and benzoic acid (organic compound). 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 and providing relief from constipation. In patients with hepatic encephalopathy, lactitol lowers the colon pH, thereby suppressing the absorption of unionized ammonia and other toxins. It also enhances nitrogen excretion through faeces. Benzoic acid acts as a preservative.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Lactitol+benzoic Acid
- Abdominal distension
- Bloating
- Cramps
- Flatulence (gas)
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Lactitol+benzoic Acid if you are allergic to any of its contents. Do not take Lactitol+benzoic Acid in case of ileostomy or colostomy. Regularly monitor serum electrolytes, blood lactose and blood glucose levels while taking Lactitol+benzoic Acid. Talk to your doctor if there is no bowel movement or if you find rectal bleeding after taking Lactitol+benzoic Acid. Do not take Lactitol+benzoic Acid if you have galactosaemia (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. Consult your doctor before taking Lactitol+benzoic Acid if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your doctor will prescribe you Lactitol+benzoic Acid only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Do not take Lactitol+benzoic Acid for more than a week as it may cause dependency on Lactitol+benzoic Acid for a bowel movement.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Lactitol+benzoic Acid may interact with an antibiotic (neomycin), cardiac glycoside (digitalis), a drug used to treat ulcers (carbenoxolone), anti-fungal (amphotericin B), thiazide diuretics (chlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, indapamide, metolazone), corticosteroids.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor if you have irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal obstruction disorder, ileostomy, colostomy and galactosemia (galactose indigestion disorder).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is not known if alcohol interacts with Lactitol+benzoic Acid. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor before taking Lactitol+benzoic Acid if you are pregnant, your doctor will prescribe you Lactitol+benzoic Acid if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult your doctor before taking Lactitol+benzoic Acid if you are breastfeeding, your doctor will prescribe you Lactitol+benzoic Acid if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
safe if prescribedLactitol+benzoic Acid has negligible influence in your ability to drive.
Liver
cautionPlease consult your doctor before taking Lactitol+benzoic Acid if you have liver impairment/liver disease.
Kidney
cautionPlease consult your doctor before taking Lactitol+benzoic Acid if you have kidney impairment/kidney disease.
Children
cautionLactitol+benzoic Acid can be taken by children only if prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Try maintaining a balanced diet which includes fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Stay hydrated, drink enough water and fluids.
- Exercise regularly and stay fit.
- Get enough sleep.
- Trying making time to empty your bowels whenever the body tells you to.
- Eat food rich in fibre such as whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, flaxseed, nuts, beans, lentils, fruits (berries, apples, oranges, bananas, pears, figs) and vegetables (broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, avocados).
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 slowdown, which causes the incomplete elimination of 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.
Hepatic encephalopathy: It is a liver disease in which the liver does not remove the toxins from the body, which leads to loss of brain function.
FAQs
Lactitol+benzoic Acid 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 makes the stool softer and easier to pass and provides relief from constipation.
In patients with hepatic encephalopathy, lactitol lowers the colon pH, thereby suppresses the absorption of unionized ammonia and other toxins. It also enhances nitrogen excretion through faeces.
Do not take Lactitol+benzoic Acid with antacid and anti-bacterial medicines as it may cause decreased efficacy. Consult your doctor before taking any other medicines with Lactitol+benzoic Acid.
Yes, Lactitol+benzoic Acid is used to treat hepatic encephalopathy. Hepatic encephalopathy is a liver disease in which the liver does not remove the toxins from the body, which leads to loss of brain function.
Diarrhoea might occur if Lactitol+benzoic Acid is taken in larger doses. Drink lots of fluids and eat non-spicy food if you experience diarrhoea. If you find blood in stools (tarry stools) or if you experience severe diarrhoea consult your doctor. Do not take anti-diarrheal medicine on your own.
Do not take Lactitol+benzoic Acid for more than a week as it might lead to dependency on Lactitol+benzoic Acid for a bowel movement. Taking Lactitol+benzoic Acid for longer durations might also cause dehydration, imbalance of fluids and salts in the body which can affect the tightness of muscles in the intestine. If your bowel movement is irregular even after taking Lactitol+benzoic Acid for a week, consult your doctor.
