Lactulose and Water Retention: What Users Say

• Lor...
• October 20, 2016

For Constipation, Chronic "I've literally tried everything for my constipation. A high-fiber diet made it worse, and I was relying on more dangerous laxatives. Lactulose didn't work for me to begin with until my gynecologist told me to increase my dosage, so I take 40 ml twice a day. I now have a bowel movement every day, whereas in the past, I'd go once a week and still be blocked up. It is a lifesaver. The only negative thing about it is the water retention. It has made my stomach so bloated and made me gain about 5 lbs in water weight, but these side effects are tolerable. I'll just keep to loose-fitted tops for the mean time :)"

• ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2024

"Wow, I suffered really bad bloating to the point I was so exhausted. I tried everything from probiotics to digestive enzymes, nothing was helping. I felt like I had so much water retention. I thought I needed to try something to see if it helps relieve the heavy bloating feeling. I took 15 ml, and within two hours, my stomach was rumbling away, then I broke wind numerous times. As much as this is gross, I knew it was working, and the relief I got from it was amazing. I felt like a massive balloon at first that slowly got smaller. Now I feel 7 lbs lighter."

• Ata...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 25, 2017

For Constipation, Acute "I have been taking Duphalac for the past 2 years and was quite satisfied with its results. But for the past 4 months, I have been having the problem of excessive water retention and bloating in my abdomen. Water retention was such that my stomach used to get swollen, and hence I had a loss of appetite. Because of my inflated abdomen, I used to feel chest pain along with dry coughing. It was really a miserable feeling as I had lost 5 kg in weight because of not having proper meals. Finally, I had to stop Duphalac, and within 3-4 days, the water retention, bloating, etc., had stopped. It's my advice to people facing a similar problem to stop Duphalac immediately and switch to some other laxative after consulting the doctor."