I am taking Lactulose and it works well for me. My doctor wonders why I would always need it. Miralax doesn't work for me. Is there anything OTC that is comparable to Lactulose so that I don't have to depend on a doctor to get the help I need? Thanks
Is there anything OTC comparable to Lactulose?
Question posted by LymaBeane on 3 Sep 2014
Last updated on 7 February 2017
4 Answers
Stephen Treloar
5 Sep 2014
Is Lactulose a prescription product in the USA? I buy a generic 'Actilax' here (AU; on the shelf) but it is still expensive. I pay ~$10/500ml. If I was given a choice, Lactulose wouldn't be at the top of the list (it is for medical reasons: ammonia removal) but in the past plant fiber laxatives have worked well and far more predictably and reliably. Metamucil, (psyllium husk fiber) is a good one and you can just increase the amount to where it becomes effective. The chemical ones I have never been keen on.
Good luck.
ld261
4 Sep 2014
It is funny. Today I had conversation with my pharmacist and after with my doctor. Both agreed that I would need to try to take Lactulose syrup. I didn’t try yet but it is good to hear that someone else use it already and it works for him/her.
May I ask you what is Miralax?
kaismama
4 Sep 2014
miralax is a powder you take in a liquid daily. Its ethylene glycol. I don't find it a great laxative for people who are truly constipated. Lactulose has been used for years as a laxative. Its a sugar syrup. It was first used for alcoholics who had liver damage and needed it to lower there high blood levels of things that shouldn't be high and they found it made a great laxative.
ld261
4 Sep 2014
Thank you so much for your fast reply as always!
Lmbates
7 Feb 2017
Ethylene glycol??? That's antifreeze.
balbanese
3 Sep 2014
How's your diet? Getting enough roughage and drinking enough water? Exercise (walking)?
LymaBeane
13 Sep 2014
I do a lot of walking for my age (57). Roughage just backs me up. I ate some Frosted Mini Wheats and got so sick I was doubled over for days and couldn't move anything. Even rye bread which I love did the same thing. I do eat yogurt, and quite a bit of salad. My quality of life is greatly reduced because of this.
kaismama
3 Sep 2014
No there is nothing like lactulose. Are you on medications that cause constipation? Do you take stool softeners?
LymaBeane
13 Sep 2014
Stool softeners, Miralax, do not work for me. I am thinking the Welbutrin I take may have been the culprit. I have weaned back a lot but see no difference. I have tried EVERYTHING I can think of. Prune juice, dulcolax, suppositories, enemas, squatty potty, (don't get me started on fiber - it just backs me up and I can't go at all!), water, fruits, veggies don't really do much of anything. Sometimes it does help but most of the time it doesn't. Olive oil helps sometimes.
SRRRDB
28 Dec 2016
I use it 2 times a day and I am on the toilet 7 to 8 times a day and it is a very sloppy mess. What do I do to stop the mess ?
Related topics
miralax, constipation, constipation - acute, constipation - chronic, lactulose, doctor, otc, rectocele
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