Lactulose User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• 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."

• Mol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2024

For Constipation "I’ve suffered with IBS my whole life, but since becoming pregnant, I find it extremely hard to pass my stools. I don’t use lactulose every day, but I do when I haven’t pooped in a few days. 30 mL of this stuff, and it makes me poop in 2-3 hours, which is very quick considering it says it takes 2 days to kick in. The bulk-forming laxatives have never helped me as it hurts too much to push out the hard poops when I’m pregnant, and it takes too long to have an effect. The stimulant laxatives are also a no-no as I have a very sensitive belly from years of IBS, and all it does is make me cramp up. So lactulose has been a lifesaver, and I recommend it to anyone."

• Bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 14, 2023

For Constipation, Chronic "Absolutely brilliant. You must drink lots of water for it to work. Having been very constipated, my pharmacist advised 40 ml twice a day, but I only needed one dose at this amount. Would definitely recommend it."

• Caz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2020

For Constipation, Acute "If you are at all sensitive to sugars, beware. What it was supposed to help just made it 1,000x worse. When I actually looked it up, I figured out why I was suffering. Was not a fun night, my poor dog, lol."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2025

For Constipation, Chronic "Developed digestive issues out of nowhere and became consistently constipated. Doctor said to take MiraLAX, but after 24 doses over a period of 24 hours, nothing happened. Stool softener pills? Nope. Adding 20 g of daily fiber? Nope. One dose of lactulose (30 ml) and I pooped in 14 hours. One dose a day has kept me regular. A miracle."

• mis...
• January 2, 2023

For Constipation, Chronic "I have IBS-C, and it's slowly been getting worse over the years (I'm 26). I've tried everything from MiraLax to enemas. After two ER visits, I was prescribed 30 mL of lactulose. Well, I took one dose, and nothing happened, but that's because I didn't realize I needed to drink a boatload of water with it (you should drink at least 1-2 full cups of water after taking the dose). A few days later, I tried again, this time with a ton of water, and holy moly, did it clean me out. It wasn't painful; cramps weren't even that bad, just more like a lot of grumbling from my gut, and the more fluids I put in, the more my system 'cleaned house.' Sweet relief! My only qualm is the gas pockets afterward, which got a little uncomfortable, but at least I was able to go!"

• 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2020

For Constipation, Chronic "Haha, I am so laughing. You guys are funny. So mine is chronic for almost a year, after it started in the third trimester of pregnancy. It's never been an issue my whole life, I'm almost 40. I have tried everything you can think of. It works and then just suddenly stops working. Which most of the stuff gives such bad cramps. So I thought to try lactulose. Well, it's been day 3 with 15 ml morning and 15 ml night. I went twice, which is so little, and feeling it's not enough. Earlier, I took 40 ml and the gas, it's just gas."

• Eva...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2023

For Constipation, Chronic "After a colonoscopy, I was prescribed lactulose 10 ml. I have IBS, and the colonoscopist didn’t even ask if I have IBS. Within half an hour, I was in a bad way - diarrhea, feeling sick, then after that, I got spasms and muscle cramps in my foot. I’m pretty sure that was a side effect of the medication. This lasted through the night until the next day. Most of the symptoms went away, except the foot muscle cramps, and my whole foot is sore, numb, and tingling. I’m pretty sure it is a severe electrolyte imbalance that can cause serious health problems, such as muscle spasms, twitching, a seizure, or a fit. Yes, it’s awful, and I’ve been to the doctor, and they don’t do anything. Apparently, lactulose shouldn’t have been given to me if I am an IBS sufferer. I just hope this pain goes away. Painkillers don’t even help. I will never touch this stuff again."

• Ecl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2021

For Constipation, Acute "This worked well for me and relatively quickly too. I took my first dose at 2 pm, and by 10 pm, I was all cleared out and more comfortable than I had been for days. The process was comparatively painless, though not without its frustrations; literally hours of sitting on a toilet while a very slow but unstoppable molten flow issued from me! Other than a bit of a crampy and gurgly tummy, I suffered no side effects either. Before this, I had tried Laxido and Dulcosoft, both of which made me vomit within an hour of taking and gave me acute abdominal cramps. The taste of lactulose is much more palatable as well - it is very sweet, though could be diluted in juice or water if this bothers you."

• lro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2022

For Constipation, Chronic "This works better for me than Miralax — which worked well but less consistently after taking it for a few years. I am underweight due to the GI issues making it hard to eat (110 lbs, 5 ft 6 in man), so I take a small dose, 10 mL RIGHT before bed to avoid any gas pain (which isn’t bad, I sleep on my left side to help it pass, gone by AM) and drink 4-8 oz of water with it. If I’m not well hydrated, I learned I will cramp, but that’s an easy fix. By the AM after coffee, I’m good to go. No diarrhea usually, just normal stool w/o pain. No bloating or nausea either. It leaves a coating in the throat, so I chase it with juice and then drink water. I’d recommend using a syringe and aiming it past the tongue if the taste bothers you. Initially, I was backed up, so I took 15 mL 2x/day and now maintain with up to 10 mL nightly, occasionally 15 mL nightly if I’ve had a lot of carbs or fibrous veggies. I’m now able to eat well and gain weight."

• Emi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2021

For Constipation, Acute "After a week on codeine, I hadn’t gone to the toilet properly. Tried this before contacting my GP, took the max dose, and within 2 hours it had worked and cleared me out. Only downside is I can’t trust a fart!!! It said it would take up to 48 hours to work, but didn’t expect it to work as quickly. Feel much better and less bloated."

• DaD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2021

For Constipation, Chronic "The negative effects of this medication make it the worst I have ever experienced in 70 years of living! Abdominal bloating, incredibly painful stomach pressure, diarrhea, sweating, pressure on the prostate gland, and hardly any relief from constipation. Let the user beware!"

• Bos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2023

For Constipation, Chronic "After trying several other medications that didn’t work, my doctor prescribed Lactulose at 30 ml twice a day. I decided to take 15 ml to be safe. Well, I did have a bowel movement, but with the worst stomach cramps and bloating. The cramps are unbearable. I only took this medication once, and it’s horrible. I personally will never take it again."

• 3...
• August 27, 2017

For Constipation, Acute "Lactulose does not work at all. I got it in the ER and was told to go home and continue taking it. I finished the whole big bottle days ago and still nothing. Before the lactulose, I tried all the over-the-counter pills, psyllium husk, Fleet enemas, suppositories, magnesium citrate, etc., for 2 weeks. It's now approaching 3 weeks and still nothing. At least the mag citrate made me gassy, and I felt belly rumblings like there was something trying to happen, but with lactulose, no gas, bloating, nothing happening at all."

• T-H...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2023

For Constipation, Chronic "This really helps me. I have an ongoing stomach issue which leaves me constipated at times, with really bad pain. My husband brought it for me, and when I read the label, I was really disappointed as it says it takes 8 hours to work. BUT!!! To my absolute satisfaction, it worked in around 1 to 2 hours! It worked really well. But be warned to take it at home where you are readily accessible to a toilet, as you will be making a few very urgent trips once it starts working."

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2020

For Constipation, Acute "Take 45 ml in one go, usually use this for one major blowout as opposed to the 15 ml twice a day slow burner. Require constant toilet access for about 4 hours after. Toilet is pebble-dashed after, so being alone in the house while this is going on is best. Hate the consistency."

• Pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2021

For Constipation, Chronic "I’m on 30 ml, 3x daily. I’ve had chronic constipation since I was a child. Water, fiber, exercise, etc., doesn’t help. I took lactulose for 4 days and was about to give up and take a stimulant laxative. I thank whatever higher power that’s up there that I waited another 20 minutes because all hell broke loose. I was in the bathroom for 42 straight minutes with a constant bowel movement. Honestly debated calling 911 a time or two or praying I could get up long enough to get water. Is it a pleasant experience? No. Is it better than hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and being completely unable to have a BM? Yup. 100%. Also, pro tip, mix it with about a 1/2 cup to a cup (measuring cup) of apple juice. Completely masks the taste."

• Joy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2021

For Constipation, Chronic "I would never take this again. My naturopath prescribed it...so I figured it would be good. I got nausea, terrible abdominal cramps for hours! And I had trouble passing stools. And rectal pain and swelling! Stay away from this drug...side effects all next day!"

• Don...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 6, 2025

For Constipation, Chronic "65-year-old male. Have had chronic constipation for 15 years from pain meds for a bad back, sheet metal worker. Since retiring, the condition got worse. Tried everything on the planet. On a 25 mcg fentanyl patch every 3 days AND 5 mg oxy for pain flare-ups. What I have found that works for me is in the morning, I take 450 mg Relistor with coffee, get 25-40% out. Then take 1 290 mg Linzess with 15-20 ml lactose. Works 90% of the time with a restricting diet. Still drink a few beers. No liquor. Went through 12-15 gastroenterologists before finally getting relief. Finally had major back surgery 3 months ago. Healing well, went to have a torn rotator cuff fixed only to find out I have arthritis and cannot be fixed. Hope this helps someone younger. Life has been rough since retirement. Oh well, could be worse. Also take 2 Senokot before bedtime. Hope this helps someone younger."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2022

For Constipation, Chronic "I'm only 28 years old, almost 29, and I've suffered from chronic constipation since I was a young kid and all through my teenage years, with many trips to the emergency department to get treatment such as enemas and was also given Movicol fluid. Until very recently, I was prescribed Lactulose. I'm on 20 mls daily, and it works so well-no more pain or being curled up in a ball in a lot of pain."

• Joe...
• February 6, 2020

For Constipation, Acute "I was prescribed lactulose for constant bloating and constipation, but the taste is disgusting and tastes so overly sweet (like drinking syrup). Apart from that, I find that it doesn't work as well at all, unlike the sodium picosulphate, which works instantly after 7 hours. This laxative isn't as effective at all, apart from that, it causes excessive wind, and they smell so bad to the point it's too disgusting to bear. Plus, I can't tell when it's a fart or a poo, neither is it scary to expel it in case I poo myself. TMI, I know, but it's true! I don't think it's as good for constipation, but it's good for wind. It also has not helped with bloating, as I still wake up bloated and have it all day and night."

• Thu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2021

"Like 'weeing' out of your bottom? Take Lactulose... about 60 ml, then retire to a safe distance. Oh... you can't! This is lethal stuff. Works great if you are 'blocked up.' Tremendous flatulence, in both directions. Turns your 'poo' to liquid, which is an advantage if, like me, you have an anal fissure and any straining causes painful bleeding. USE WITH CAUTION."

• Duk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2021

Lactulose for Constipation, Chronic "Within an hour of taking a dose, I experience severe nausea and sometimes throw up, but when it starts working, I feel somewhat better. I still feel constipated some, but not as bad as I did. The taste keeps me from taking it twice a day as prescribed, or it would probably work better."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2022

For Constipation, Chronic "Suddenly, over Christmas, I just couldn’t go, so I drank loads of water and waited a few days, but still nothing. My GF went to the pharmacy and brought back a huge bottle of lactulose. I took 15 ml cautiously and then another 15 ml 20 minutes later. Nothing much happened apart from gas until 6 pm, when I got cramps, but that was from more gas. After 6 pm, I took a further 20 ml and still had painful wind. I managed to pass a few tiny nuggets and then had to sleep on my side so I could pass wind all night. The next day, I still had similar pains. I drank a glass or two of water and had a banana for breakfast and decided to have another 30 ml in one go this time. I lay in bed sipping water and all of a sudden felt cold and feverish. Cold sweat ran down my face as I felt sick and had to run to the bathroom and vomit my guts up. My body didn’t seem to like the 30 ml I’d had. 30 minutes later, the biggest, stinkiest log was ejected from my soul, finally saved at last."