Lactulose and Gas: What Users Say

• Alb...
• December 24, 2020

For Constipation, Acute "Wow! I took 60 mL of lactulose and OH WOW, two hours later my farts became atomic. They kept coming, one after another - shooting out like a machine gun. Once I raced to the toilet, it was as if a hydrogen bomb had gone off. The back splash was a deluge, almost a tidal wave. It was mind-altering."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 8, 2019

For Constipation, Chronic "I'm on lactulose 15-30 ml for almost two years. I've had constipation my entire life. Until I was four, I thought it was normal. I've bounced from specialist to specialist. Nobody can give me a diagnosis, but all I knew was the feces buildup was releasing toxins into my body and it was just unhealthy. An x-ray of my torso showed that the buildup was literally putting pressure on my lungs and it had impacted my breathing. Specialists gave me one of two options: laxatives or surgery. So, I tried countless laxatives, diets, exercise regimens. The only thing that's helped so far in my 15 years of life is sennas and enemas, both of which are extremely painful and give me awful diarrhea. Until lactulose. It's helped tremendously, and I can have natural movements. The only uncomfortable thing is all the flatulence, but that's better than curling up into a ball in pain."

• MiM...
• August 23, 2020

For Constipation, Chronic "I have a muscle contraction condition that won't allow me to go. I poured a load of lactulose in orange juice, and 20 minutes later, I barely made it to the toilet for my blowout. If you eat or drink anything, you'll blow every time. It takes an entire day to get back to normal. The gas would have set my house on fire if I didn't have an electric stove. I took about 3 tablespoons, and it was worth the relief I felt."

• Jaw...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 7, 2020

For Constipation, Chronic "This drug is a miracle worker, as I have MS and slow digestive transit. As a result, my stools dry out and I can't go for 7-8 days. Taking only 25 ml of lactulose every second day does the trick, no bloating, no pain, just regular movements that are normal to pass. A side effect for me is, yes, wind-normally 4-8 hours after taking the dose, but 4 hours of wind is a small price to pay. It is very sweet, sweeter than sugar, but I actually like it, I must have a very sweet tooth. It’s in no way unpleasant to take, just sweet."

• Pud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2019

Lactulose for Constipation, Chronic "I’ve been struggling to have a bowel motion for years. I am on a high dose of OxyContin and Oxycodone daily due to pancreatic cancer, so I have what they call opioid-induced constipation. I was going two weeks without having a bowel motion, then my doctor started me on Generlac, and it works wonderfully. I took 30ml for the first dose, and 24 hours later, I was on the toilet. I take 15ml daily to keep me going. No cramping or diarrhea... just a little gas."

• Mis...
• January 9, 2014

For Constipation, Chronic "I've taken codeine and morphine for a long time and have been constipated for years, on and off. I've tried senna, Movicol, and they'd take at least 5 days to work. And the taste of 2 Movicol sachets with 250ml was yuck. Also made me bloated. I've started lactulose on 15ml 3 times a day, but around 2 hours after taking 15ml, I was going to the bathroom! It's very convenient too as I just add the 15ml to a drop of juice/squash. Very happy to have found something so good, but it does cause me a lot of wind."

• Kit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2014

For Constipation, Chronic "I've suffered with Irritable Bowel Syndrome all my life, got worse in adulthood. Mixture of constipation and diarrhea. I'm now 6 months pregnant, got no more IBS cramps, but painful gas that doesn't pass. I took this for the first time in my life this morning at 9 AM. Took 30mls as suggested by the pharmacist. Only ONE hour later and I'm having bowel movements and a lot of wind. No pain or cramps for once! Only thing is it's been non-stop toilet runs for 10 hours."

• Sll...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2020

For Constipation, Chronic "I took 30 ml twice a day on day 1, then 30 ml three times a day on day 2. Then today on day 3, I've taken 30 ml twice, and it has done nothing for me besides give me really bad gas and make me feel like I'm going to poop myself sometimes when I do pass gas."

• Wha...
• September 15, 2019

For Constipation, Chronic "I had to see the doctor eventually due to having an anal fissure, a very painful thing to have. I was finding it hard to get any sleep without pain. My doctor suggested taking a lactulose brand called Actilax. I haven't ever taken laxatives. My first dose was after I purchased it at lunchtime and then in the evening. The next day at lunchtime, I had a soft bowel motion twice. Two days later, I took it once a day, no more pain going or blood. I suggest not diluting, yes, it is a thick syrup with an odd taste! But drink lots of water during the day. Side effects: wind! Didn't come with the special dosage cup. Lower the dosage on the third day. I'm so surprised I have no more bleeding, which I had for weeks."

• Ear...
• January 14, 2016

For Constipation, Chronic "I have early menopause-related constipation. For the last 5 years, moderate constipation. I've used lots of things - with success but also with fear of dependence. People have recommended lactulose as a non-dependent choice. I take 30 mL at night. It gives me a lot of wind. It does work, but it is an accumulative effect that takes about 4 days of regularly dosing to start working and produce a bowel movement... Not sure why so many others are lucky enough to get success the same day???"

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 26, 2017

For Constipation, Chronic "This has literally changed my life for the better. I have been told since I was 21 that I have IBS. I had IBS A (alternating between D & C). At 46, at my wit's end, I tried lactulose as my bowels didn’t know what they wanted! Most nights, I take 1 full soup spoon before dinner with a large glass of water, within two hours, along with huge amounts of wind, I am on the loo. If I get a little sluggish, I up the dose by 1/2 a spoon or even 1 spoon. Worst case scenario, there is more wind or a quicker dash to the loo or even a dose of D... but never any cramping anymore! I then reduce the dose. It is all about the dose. For anyone struggling, you may need a bigger dose to get it going, then a smaller dose to maintain. I have my life back! Finally, at 46, I am free again!"

• Pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2020

Lactulose for Constipation, Acute "The worst medication I have ever taken. Not only does it not work, it makes everything 10x worse. Painful gas and flatulence at an unprecedented level. Took it to deal with constipation post-surgery, and it made the surgery pain so much worse. Useless!"

• Pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2020

Lactulose for Constipation, Acute "The worst medication I have ever taken. Not only does it not work, it makes everything 10x worse. Painful gas and flatulence at an unprecedented level. Took it to deal with constipation post-surgery, and it made the surgery pain so much worse. Useless!"

• Omg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2020

For Constipation, Acute "So... I have been having trouble passing a bowel motion as currently there is a tear. Anyway, I would hurt when I was trying. So I was quite scared to go to the toilet knowing it was going to hurt. My partner has lactulose, which was for himself previously. So I took the recommended dose. A couple of hours passed, and I was delayed by the fact I needed to go to the loo. So I took another dose. OMG... DO NOT TAKE ANOTHER DOSE 2 HOURS AFTER. I was farting, burping, farting, left, right, and center, stinking the place out. I was ready to go to bed when the trapped wind came along. So I ran to the toilet, and that’s when all hell broke loose. OMG. I’ve never been that bad ever. It’s really gross, and I wouldn’t want anyone to go through that. My partner came through to see if I was okay, and funny enough, he’s making a joke out of it, but trust me, DO NOT TAKE MORE IN 2 HOURS, your toilet will hate you. I’m okay now, it does its job if that’s what you were looking for."

• Omg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2020

For Constipation, Acute "So... I have been having trouble passing a bowel motion as currently there is a tear. Anyway, I would hurt when I was trying. So I was quite scared to go to the toilet knowing it was going to hurt. My partner has lactulose, which was for himself previously. So I took the recommended dose. A couple of hours passed, and I was delayed by the fact I needed to go to the loo. So I took another dose. OMG... DO NOT TAKE ANOTHER DOSE 2 HOURS AFTER. I was farting, burping, farting, left, right, and center, stinking the place out. I was ready to go to bed when the trapped wind came along. So I ran to the toilet, and that’s when all hell broke loose. OMG. I’ve never been that bad ever. It’s really gross, and I wouldn’t want anyone to go through that. My partner came through to see if I was okay, and funny enough, he’s making a joke out of it, but trust me, DO NOT TAKE MORE IN 2 HOURS, your toilet will hate you. I’m okay now, it does its job if that’s what you were looking for."

• Lis...
• July 13, 2016

For Constipation, Acute "I was prescribed this only a few days ago because I generally only pass a bowel motion about once a week. My dosage is 20 mls per day, and I initially didn't think it was working, but it has most definitely kicked in now! I've had heaps of flatulence since first taking it, and now, 2 hrs after my 3rd dose, I feel about 5 kilos lighter. I'm so glad that I am not at work because the smell of this first visit to the bathroom is absolutely revolting... (sorry for over-sharing). It tastes sickly sweet, but I'm getting used to it. I think this product will actually change my life for the better. P.S. I'm in New Zealand, where a lot of medication is funded by the government."

• Squ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2021

For Constipation, Chronic "Given lactulose for chronic constipation from IBS. At first, it wasn't too bad, but then I started getting severe gas pains, lots of gas, abdominal pain, and nausea. Yes, it worked for the constipation, but I felt sick all the time, and it made IBS pain much worse."

• Squ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2021

For Constipation, Chronic "Given lactulose for chronic constipation from IBS. At first, it wasn't too bad, but then I started getting severe gas pains, lots of gas, abdominal pain, and nausea. Yes, it worked for the constipation, but I felt sick all the time, and it made IBS pain much worse."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2020

For Constipation, Chronic "I was prescribed lactulose at 10 ml, 2-3 times a day. It looks like syrup and tastes like syrup with a lot less sugar in it. I did not suffer from cramps, but did pass a lot of gas while taking it. Also, it did improve my constipation quite a bit, so I'm happy with it."

• Lil...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 2, 2020

For Constipation, Acute "Try different ways of taking this medicine, lactulose. For me, taking it the way the label said just didn’t do anything. It caused major and very embarrassing gas. Honestly, don’t leave the house the day you begin this dosing. What I found was it hindered my sleep because of the gas, a lot of tummy rumbling, luckily, I was sleeping alone that night. Don’t underestimate the frequency of the gas either, constant. I think try out different ways. I take 1 entire capful, and that usually does the trick. Just don’t make any plans for that day."

• bpm...
• July 25, 2017

For Constipation, Acute "If you don't mind the overwhelming feeling of urgency and flatulence, you can take 5 tablespoons of lactulose along with a bowl of bran cereal for breakfast. No matter how hard they try, most people won't be able to hold back the results after 4 hours."

• Axa...
• May 29, 2020

For Constipation, Acute "I started to take this the way it says on the label, 15 mL twice a day. It did nothing for me other than cause terrible, vile flatulence. The smell was like a sewer, and zero relief. Annoyed after about 3 days, I decided to take more. So I took 60 mL in one. Within 2 hours, I had had a bowel movement. In the end, all that came out was liquid. There seemed to be less flatulence also. I find it’s sort of unpredictable when you take it day and night, you may or may not have a movement the next day. Or you might, and it might not be satisfactory (could be very small, still feel like you need to go after), which is very almost upsetting really when you know what it’s like to suffer so much from constipation. The flatulence ends if you take it for a few days, it’s as though your body needs time to get used to it. If you’re going to use this, use it on a day when you don’t need to be anywhere or meet anyone! Take the 60 mL and take it with a warm drink to help it along."

• Esp...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 20, 2017

For Constipation, Chronic "I have a motility problem after some of my bowel was cut out after diverticulitis. Then 2 hernias repaired. I have no sense of needing to go to the toilet at all. I have to take either lactulose or magnesium sulfate to empty my bowel twice a week. I prefer lactulose, it's easier on my bowel, it doesn't make my bowel as sore as magnesium. I take 60 ml of lactulose, a single dose, twice a week. Sure, there is some flatulence, but it works fine."

• Smi...
• July 20, 2021

For Hepatic Encephalopathy "My Dr. said this would soften stool. Well, it does do that. Like liquid water in a matter of hours. Stayed up all night on the pot with constant diarrhea and some seriously explosive gas, but I felt a lot better by morning."

• kja...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 10, 2016

For Constipation, Acute "I suffered from iron deficiency, and I was put on iron tablets. With these, they cause constipation, so my doctor also prescribed lactulose. It works really well, and it gives you a lot of gas and a bowel movement within eight hours of taking the medicine."