Laxitol Syrup is a laxative used to treat constipation. Additionally, Laxitol Syrup 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 toxins from the body, which leads to loss of brain function.

Laxitol Syrup 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 Laxitol Syrup 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 Laxitol Syrup . Do not take Laxitol Syrup for more than a week as it might cause dependency on Laxitol Syrup for a bowel movement. Consult your doctor before taking Laxitol Syrup if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Laxitol Syrup belongs to the group of medicines called laxatives used to treat constipation. Additionally, Laxitol Syrup is also used to prevent hepatic encephalopathy (decrease in brain function due to liver disease). Laxitol Syrup 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.

• Abdominal distension
• Bloating
• Cramps
• Flatulence (gas)

Do not take Laxitol Syrup if you are allergic to any of its contents. Do not take Laxitol Syrup in case of ileostomy or colostomy. Regularly monitor serum electrolytes, blood lactose and blood glucose levels while taking Laxitol Syrup . Talk to your doctor if there is no bowel movement or if you find rectal bleeding after taking Laxitol Syrup . Do not take Laxitol Syrup 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 Laxitol Syrup if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your doctor will prescribe you Laxitol Syrup only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Do not take Laxitol Syrup for more than a week as it may cause dependency on Laxitol Syrup for a bowel movement.

Drug-Drug Interactions: Laxitol Syrup 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).

• NEOMYCIN
• AMPHOTERICIN B
• CARBENOXOLONE
• DIGITALIS
• CHLOROTHIAZIDE
• CHLORTHALIDONE
• INDAPAMIDE
• METOLAZONE

• 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).

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.

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.