What is Constipation?
The most common digestive complaint in the United States is constipation. It affects one in every 50 people 1 and accounts for 2.5 million physician visits yearly. 2 Constipation is the uncomfortable passing of small, hard, dry amounts of stool, usually fewer than 3 times a week. When constipation arises, bowel movements become difficult and painful. Signs of constipation include infrequent bowel movements, difficulty and discomfort with bowel movements, low stool volume, a sense of incomplete evacuation or stools that are harder than usual. Unfortunately, constipation is something most people experience from time to time. Occasional constipation classified as acute is not as clinically significant as being constipated all the time, which is classified as chronic. Understanding the causes of constipation and learning how to prevent them can assist patients in finding a treatment that will bring them relief.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE: KRISTALOSE® (LACTULOSE) For Oral Solution is indicated for the treatment of constipation. In patients with a history of chronic constipation, lactulose therapy increases the number of bowel movements per day and the number of days on which bowel movements occur.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Initial dosing may produce flatulence and intestinal cramps, which are usually transient. KRISTALOSE is contraindicated in patients who require a low-galactose diet and should be used with caution in diabetics. Excessive dosage can lead to diarrhea with potential complications, such as loss of fluids, hypokalemia, and hyperatremia. Nausea and vomiting have been reported.
Please see full Prescribing Information.
References:
1. Johanson JF, Sonnenberg A, Koch TR. Clinical epidemiology of chronic constipation. J Clin Gastroenterol. 1989;11:525-536.
2. Jafri S, Pasricha PJ. Agents used for diarrhea, constipation, and inflammatory bowel disease: agents used for biliary and pancreatic disease. Hardman JG, Limbird LE, Gilman AG (eds). Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 10th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2001:1037–1058.
