lactitol
General
**Off Market Drug**
This medication is no longer available in the United States. Information provided here is for reference purposes only.
Pronunciation:
lak-ti-tol
Trade Name(s)
- Pizensy
Ther. Class.
Pharm. Class.
osmotics
Indications
Chronic idiopathic constipation.
Action
Acts as an osmotic agent, drawing water into the lumen of the GI tract.
Therapeutic Effect(s):
Increased complete, spontaneous bowel movements.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption: Minimally absorbed following oral administration.
Distribution: Unknown.
Metabolism and Excretion: Excreted in fecal contents.
Half-life: 2.4 hr.
TIME/ACTION PROFILE (bowel movement)
ROUTE | ONSET | PEAK | DURATION |
---|---|---|---|
PO | unknown | unknown | unknown |
Contraindication/Precautions
Contraindicated in:
- GI obstruction;
- Galactosemia.
Use Cautiously in:
- OB: Safety not established in pregnancy;
- Lactation: Use while breastfeeding only if potential maternal benefit justifies potential risk to infant;
- Pedi: Safety and effectiveness not established in children.
Adverse Reactions/Side Effects
CV: hypertension
GI: abdominal distention, abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence
GU: urinary tract infection
MS: ↑ creatine kinase
Resp: upper respiratory tract infection
* CAPITALS indicate life-threatening.
Underline indicate most frequent.
Interactions
Drug-Drug
May ↓ absorption and effectiveness of concurrently administered medications; administer other medications ≥2 hr before or after lactitol.
Route/Dosage
PO (Adults): 20 g once daily; ↓ to 10 g once daily if persistent, loose stools.
Availability
Powder: 280 g/bottle, 560 g/bottle
Assessment
- Assess bowel sounds and frequency, quantity, and consistency of stools periodically during therapy.
Potential Diagnoses
- Constipation (Indications)
Implementation
- PO Administer once daily with meals.
- Multi-dose bottle: Use bottle cap to measure 10 g of powder. Fill twice for 20-g dose. Pour dose into empty 8 oz glass. Add 4 oz of water, juice or other beverage (coffee, tea, soda) and stir to dissolve. Drink entire contents of glass.
- Administer oral medications at least 2 hr before or 2 hr after lactitol.
Patient/Family Teaching
- Instruct patient to take lactitol as directed and to take other medications at least 2 hr before or 2 hr after lactitol.
- Advise patient to stop lactitol and notify health care professional if persistent loose stools occur.
- Advise patient to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding.
Evaluation/Desired Outcomes
Increased complete, spontaneous bowel movements.