Lactulose for Constipation, Chronic User Reviews (Page 3)

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

"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."

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

"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."

• mis...
• January 2, 2023

"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!"

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

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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

"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

"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

"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."

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

Lactulose "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

"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."

• tss...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2024

"It has changed my life! Only good! My entire life, I had experienced constipation. I have a redundant colon, and it is looped. It has made a wonderful difference. I'm able to go every day rather than maybe once or twice a week."

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 27, 2023

"Has anyone gained weight using lactulose? I’ve been taking it daily for the past almost two years. It works well for me, but the weight part is annoying. 20 pounds, ugh. I don’t know how to get the weight off. I don’t eat a lot. I drink liters and liters of water. I’m frustrated. Please, someone tell me how to lose the weight."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2022

"I developed chronic constipation out of nowhere and am a vegetarian, had tests run, colonoscopy, etc., no answers but was suffering daily, every day. Tried dietary changes, bowel training, Movicol, Metamucil, more water, you name it. Became extremely debilitating and distressing. After 8 months of this nightmare, I tried Lactulose (Actilax), and whilst it took a week to really work, now I’m having a normal BM same time daily. I’m currently taking 20 ml twice daily, you may need to see what dose works for you. I know medicine isn’t always a long-term solution, but when you are suffering, it’s worth a shot until you can find another solution. I will keep taking it daily along with a healthy diet, etc., until I can see another specialist. Beware, initially it can cause bloating and discomfort, so start off slowly and drink plenty of water and build up the dose rather than start big."

• Bjo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2023

"Lactulose 30ml twice a day with lots of water, doesn't seem to work on its own for me. I still need Senokot every three days to get things out, but I think the lactulose at least makes it soft so my hemorrhoids can heal. At this dose, a bottle only lasts 10 days, so I'm hoping I can reduce the dose gradually."

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2022

"I've had issues with constipation on and off my entire life, may be the cause of my decades of migraines, actually. Once went an entire MONTH without going, can you even imagine that?! Got a high colonic (colon cleanse), and that flushed it all out! This time a doctor prescribed this lactulose stuff for me, thought I'd give it a try. Suggested 30 ml a day, three days later, NOTHING but gas! Today, the fourth day, I decided to up the dose! So I took TWO 30 ml doses, five hours apart, and BOOM! Had one BM, and I KNOW there's lots more still in there, very bad gas too. I am feeling a little crampy, so probably tomorrow I will continue a higher dose and will go again. Eventually, I will lower the dose back down and even see if I can quit altogether as laxatives become a crutch that you can't function without eventually. I don't take any other drugs, no pain meds, and I eat healthy and am healthy in every other aspect but the migraines and constipation, would LOVE to get rid of those!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2022

"I have tried this stuff twice over the last 5 years and still doesn't work. I've had 25 ml twice this time, and it does nothing, which is annoying because when I sent the person to get laxatives in the first place, I told them not to buy this, but the guy behind the counter said it was the best. But twice in the last 5 years, I bought this, and it doesn't work. First time I was 18 years old, now I'm 23."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2021

"I have been constipated badly, many visits to ER, urgent care, and many CT scans, X-ray, and always dry stools stuck in the intestines. One doctor prescribed lactulose. At first, it caused me bloating. I called the pharmacist and recommended 15 ml and Gas X together. Now I have my normal BM."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2022

"I was prescribed Lactulose for constipation that had troubled me for over three years. Had tried other medications. I took Lactulose for two months every day as prescribed, and now have been with no medication at all for over a month. I had no adverse effects while taking it and would return to it if I need."

• Hon...
• November 27, 2021

"Brand: XactDose. Manufacturer: VistaPharm. Dose: 20g/30mL. Great results with this medication. I was using Miralax for a few days (4 or so) but didn't get any results. I then took XactDose after going to a doctor. First day taking it, I felt really gassy and bloated within 3-4 hours. My second day I experienced the same things, only this time I actually expelled a good amount of stool. It felt like a decent burden was done away with, and I felt lighter. It's my go-to whenever I get really constipated, it works very well. Didn't get the same results with generic lactulose (10g/15mL) that I got after I ran out of XactDose. I even tried a double dose of it. Maybe I should've tried one more day with the doubled dose? Oh, and it seems like Sam's Club pharmacy is the only place that is able to get this for you now. Many pharmacies don't have it. Call around and ask for lactulose made by the manufacturer VistaPharm and save yourself some gas."

• Ale...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2025

Lactulose "Today in the morning I had a hard constipation, and the bowel movement was stuck. I can't explain how much pain I was in. It hurt a lot. I drank water and ate broccoli and carrot, then the bowel movement worked with difficulty, but in the evening I went to a medical store, and I was recommended Duphalac. When I drank it, then within one hour I was able to pass stool with ease. I got a wonderful experience, and I had bowel movement three times today without any problem. I am feeling okay now."