Lactulose Solution 10 g/15mL Solution, 473 mL
🆔 Identity & classification
Where does this data come from?
🏷️ RxNorm drug class
This medicine belongs to the Osmotic Laxative class.
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🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
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🩺 Clinical
Lactulose is a synthetic sugar used to treat constipation. It is broken down in the colon into products that pull water out from the body and into the colon. This water softens stools. Lactulose is also used to reduce the amount of ammonia in the blood of patients with liver disease. It works by drawing ammonia from the blood into the colon where it is removed from the body. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Read the full MedlinePlus article ↗- Lactulose has two main uses. Some products — like Constulose and Kristalose — are prescribed specifically for constipation. Other products, like Enulose and Generlac, are used for...
- For constipation, it usually takes 24 to 48 hours to produce a bowel movement, so don't be worried if nothing happens right away. For portal-systemic encephalopathy, improvement ma...
- How long does it take lactulose to work?
- The most common side effects are digestive — gas, bloating, belching, and mild stomach cramping. These are pretty typical, especially when you first start. The one to watch for is...
Patient education
Supplement & herbal interactions
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Ask a licensed pharmacist directly — free, answered by our team.
💊 What it looks like
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🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients
Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.
💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.
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UNII 35SW5USQ3G
A synthetic yellow dye used to color medicines. It helps make tablets, capsules, and liquids visually distinct so patients can easily identify their medication.
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UNII H77VEI93A8
A synthetic yellow dye used to color medications. It helps identify the drug and make it visually distinctive, with no effect on how the medicine works.
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UNII 059QF0KO0R
Water is a liquid solvent that dissolves and mixes ingredients together in liquid medicines, syrups, and injections. It helps distribute the active drug evenly throughout the product.
3 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.
Where does this data come from?
ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.Inactive ingredient FAQ
Are inactive ingredients the same for every manufacturer?
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💲 Pricing
A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.
| Price system | Per mL | Per package |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly | $0.013 | $6.15 / 473 ml |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | $0.0229 | $10.83 / 473 ml |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · Q2 2026 | $0.0465 | $21.99 / 473 ml |
Where does this data come from?
🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
| Product | Labeler | Pack | NADAC/unit | TE | Status | Price vs. this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lactulose Solution 10 g/15mL 81033-0241-32 | Kesin | 946 ml | $0.013 | AA | Availability likely | save 4% |
| Enulose 10 g/15mL 45963-0438-64 | Actavis | 473 ml | $0.013 | AA | Availability likely | — |
| Generlac 10 g/15mL 62135-0892-47 | Chartwell | 473 ml | $0.013 | AA | Availability likely | — |
| Lactulose Solution 10 g/15mLthis 64980-0592-48 | Rising | 473 ml | $0.013 | AA | Availability likely | — |
| Lactulose 10 g/15mL 00116-4005-08 | Xttrium | 237 ml | $0.019 | AA | Availability likely | +49% |
| Constulose 10 g/15mL 45963-0439-63 | Actavis | 237 ml | $0.019 | AA | Availability likely | +49% |
| Lactulose 10 g/15mL 83745-0405-08 | APOZEAL | 237 ml | $0.019 | AA | Availability likely | +49% |
| Lactulose 10 g/15mL 62135-0003-37 | Chartwell | 237 ml | $0.020 | AA | Availability likely | +52% |
| Lactulose 10 g/15mL 51672-4243-09 | Sun | 1 bottle | $0.022 | AA | Availability likely | +72% |
| Lactulose 10 g/15mL 00121-0873-06 | PAI | 16 cups | — | AA | FDA listed | — |
| Lactulose 20 g/30mL 00121-1154-06 | PAI | 16 cups | — | AA | Discontinued | — |
| Lactulose 20 g/30mL 00121-1746-00 | PAI | 10 cups | — | AA | FDA listed | — |
| Lactulose 10 g/15mL 00121-4577-06 | PAI | 16 cups | — | AA | Discontinued | — |
| Lactulose 10 g/15mL 00527-5125-68 | Lannett | 237 ml | — | AA | FDA listed | — |
| Lactulose 10 g/15mL 17856-0874-03 | Atlantic | 50 cups | — | AA | FDA listed | — |
| Lactulose 10 g/15mL 18124-0002-16 | Fresenius | 473 ml | — | AA | FDA listed | — |
| Lactulose 20 g/30mL 55154-9448-05 | Cardinal | 5 cups | — | AA | FDA listed | — |
| Lactulose Solution 10 g/15mL 61037-0471-02 | Bajaj | 236 ml | — | AA | FDA listed | — |
| Lactulose 10 g/15mL 62135-0002-24 | Chartwell | 10 cups | — | AA | FDA listed | — |
| Lactulose 10 g/15mL 62135-0004-24 | Chartwell | 10 cups | — | AA | FDA listed | — |
| Enulose 10 g/15mL 63629-8800-01 | Bryant | 473 ml | — | AA | FDA listed | — |
| Lactulose 10 g/15mL 68999-0002-24 | Chartwell | 10 cups | — | AA | FDA listed | — |
| Lactulose 20 g/30mL 68999-0004-24 | Chartwell | 10 cups | — | AA | FDA listed | — |
| Lactulose 10 g/15mL 82804-0107-47 | Proficient | 473 ml | — | AA | FDA listed | — |
| Lactulose 10 g/15mL 83745-0249-08 | APOZEAL | 237 ml | — | AA | FDA listed | — |
Where does this data come from?
⏳ Availability & generic status
This product is an FDA-approved generic. Other versions of the same drug are listed under Therapeutic equivalents, least expensive first.
Where does this data come from?
🗺️ Medicaid utilization & spend
💊 Medicaid utilization by pack size
🔬 Reported adverse events (FAERS)
Top reported reactions
Age at onset
Reporter sex
Where does this data come from?
📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Per unit | Per pack | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64980-0592-12 | 118 mL in 1 BOTTLE (64980-592-12) | — | — | 2023-05-25 | Active |
| 64980-0592-24 | 236 mL in 1 BOTTLE (64980-592-24) | — | — | 2023-05-25 | Active |
| 64980-0592-48 You're viewing this | 473 mL in 1 BOTTLE (64980-592-48) | $0.0130 / mL | $6.17 | 2023-05-25 | Active |
| 64980-0592-95 | 946 mL in 1 BOTTLE (64980-592-95) | $0.0125 / mL | $11.83 | 2023-05-25 | Active |
You're viewing one of 4 pack sizes for this product.
Per mL, this pack runs about 4% above the cheapest pack (946 mL, $0.0125 vs $0.0130 NADAC).
In Medicaid, this is the most-dispensed pack of this product — about 72% of fills over the last four reported quarters. See all packs ↓
Pack size FAQ
What quantity is in NDC 64980-0592-48?
What is the difference between NDC 64980-0592-48 and NDC 64980-0592-12?
What NDC number is used to bill for this package of Lactulose Solution 10 g/15mL Solution?
Prices are the latest CMS NADAC pharmacy acquisition cost per NDC; per-pack figures are per-unit × pack quantity, shown only when the pack is denominated in the same measure NADAC prices.
📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
INDICATIONS AND USAGE For the prevention and treatment of portal-systemic encephalopathy, including the stages of hepatic pre-coma and coma. Controlled studies have shown that lactulose solution therapy reduces the blood ammonia level by 25 to 50%; this is generally paralleled by an improvement in the patients’ mental state and by an improvement in EEG patterns. The clinical response has been observed in about 75% of patients, which is at least as satisfactory as that resulting from neomycin therapy.
An increase in patients’ protein tolerance is also frequently observed with lactulose solution therapy. In the treatment of chronic portal-systemic encephalopathy, lactulose solution has been given for over 2 years in controlled studies.
⏱️ Dosage and Administration ▾
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Oral Adult: The usual adult oral dosage is 2 to 3 tablespoonfuls (30 to 45 mL, containing 20 g to 30 g of lactulose) three or four times daily. The dosage may be adjusted every day or two to produce 2 or 3 soft stools daily. Hourly doses of 30 to 45 mL of lactulose may be used to induce the rapid laxation indicated in the initial phase of the therapy of portal-systemic encephalopathy.
When the laxative effect has been achieved, the dose of lactulose may then be reduced to the recommended daily dose. Improvement in the patient’s condition may occur within 24 hours but may not begin before 48 hours or even later. Continuous long-term therapy is indicated to lessen the severity and prevent the recurrence of portal-systemic encephalopathy.
The dose of lactulose for this purpose is the same as the recommended daily dose. Pediatric: Very little information on the use of lactulose in young children and adolescents has been recorded. As with adults, the subjective goal in proper treatment is to produce 2 to 3 soft stools daily.
On the basis of information available, the recommended initial daily oral dose in infants is 2.5 to 10 mL in divided doses. For older children and adolescents, the total daily dose is 40 to 90 mL. If the initial dose causes diarrhea, the dose should be reduced immediately.
If diarrhea persists, lactulose should be discontinued. Rectal When the adult patient is in the impending coma or coma stage of portal-systemic encephalopathy and the danger of aspiration exists, or when the necessary endoscopic or intubation procedures physically interfere with the administration of the recommended oral doses, lactulose solution may be given as a retention enema via a rectal balloon catheter. Cleansing enemas containing soap suds or other alkaline agents should not be used.
Three hundred mL of lactulose should be mixed with 700 mL of water or physiologic saline and retained for 30 to 60 minutes. Lactulose enema may be repeated every 4 to 6 hours. If this lactulose enema is inadvertently evacuated too promptly, it may be repeated immediately.
The goal of treatment is reversal of the coma stage in order that the patient may be able to take oral medication. Reversal of coma may take place within 2 hours of the first enema in some patients. Lactulose given orally in the recommended doses, should be started before lactulose by enema is stopped entirely.
⛔ Contraindications ▾
CONTRAINDICATIONS Since lactulose solution contains galactose (less than 1.6 g/15 mL), it is contraindicated in patients who require a low galactose diet.
⚠️ Warnings ▾
WARNINGS A theoretical hazard may exist for patients being treated with lactulose solution who may be required to undergo electrocautery procedures during proctoscopy or colonoscopy. Accumulation of H 2 gas in significant concentration in the presence of an electrical spark may result in an explosive reaction. Although this complication has not been reported with lactulose, patients on lactulose therapy undergoing such procedures should have a thorough bowel cleansing with a non-fermentable solution.
Insufflation of CO 2 as an additional safeguard may be pursued but is considered to be a redundant measure.
🤒 Adverse Reactions ▾
ADVERSE REACTIONS Precise frequency data are not available. Lactulose may produce gaseous distention with flatulence or belching and abdominal discomfort such as cramping in about 20% of patients. Excessive dosage can lead to diarrhea with potential complications such as loss of fluids, hypokalemia, and hypernatremia. Nausea and vomiting have been reported.
🔄 Drug Interactions ▾
Drug Interactions There have been conflicting reports about the concomitant use of neomycin and lactulose solution. Theoretically, the elimination of certain colonic bacteria by neomycin and possibly other anti-infective agents may interfere with the desired degradation of lactulose and thus prevent the acidification of colonic contents. Thus the status of the lactulose-treated patient should be closely monitored in the event of concomitant oral anti-infective therapy.
Results of preliminary studies in humans and rats suggest that nonabsorbable antacids given concurrently with lactulose may inhibit the desired lactulose-induced drop in colonic pH. Therefore, a possible lack of desired effect of treatment should be taken into consideration before such drugs are given concomitantly with lactulose. Other laxatives should not be used, especially during the initial phase of therapy for portal-systemic encephalopathy, because the loose stools resulting from their use may falsely suggest that adequate lactulose dosage has been achieved.
🤰 Pregnancy ▾
Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects; Pregnancy Category B. Reproduction studies have been performed in mice, rats, and rabbits at doses up to 2 or 4 times the usual human oral dose and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to lactulose. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
🧒 Pediatric Use ▾
Pediatric Use Very little information on the use of lactulose in pediatric patients has been recorded (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
🆘 Overdosage ▾
OVERDOSAGE Signs and Symptoms: There have been no reports of accidental overdosage. In the event of overdosage, it is expected that diarrhea and abdominal cramps would be the major symptoms. Medication should be terminated.
Oral LD 50 : The acute oral LD 50 of the drug is 48.8 mL/kg in mice and greater than 30 mL/kg in rats. Dialysis : Dialysis data are not available for lactulose. Its molecular similarity to sucrose, however, would suggest that it should be dialyzable.
🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ▾
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Lactulose causes a decrease in blood ammonia concentration and reduces the degree of portal-systemic encephalopathy. These actions are considered to be results of the following: Bacterial degradation of lactulose in the colon acidifies the colonic contents. This acidification of colonic contents results in the retention of ammonia in the colon as the ammonium ion.
Since the colonic contents are then more acid than the blood, ammonia can be expected to migrate from the blood into the colon to form the ammonium ion. The acid colonic contents convert NH 3 to the ammonium ion [NH 4 ] + , trapping it and preventing its absorption. The laxative action of the metabolites of lactulose then expels the trapped ammonium ion from the colon.
Experimental data indicate that lactulose is poorly absorbed. Lactulose given orally to man and experimental animals resulted in only small amounts reaching the blood. Urinary excretion has been determined to be 3% or less and is essentially complete within 24 hours.
When incubated with extracts of human small intestinal mucosa, lactulose was not hydrolyzed during a 24-hour period and did not inhibit the activity of these extracts on lactose. Lactulose reaches the colon essentially unchanged. There it is metabolized by bacteria with the formation of low molecular weight acids that acidify the colon contents.
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
HOW SUPPLIED Lactulose Solution, USP, 10 g/15 mL is a clear, yellow to golden-yellow solution supplied in 4-ounce (118 mL) amber plastic bottle, 8-ounce (236 mL) white plastic bottle, 1-pint (473 mL) amber plastic bottle, 32-ounce (946 mL) white plastic bottle, and 15 mL and 30 mL unit-dose cups. Lactulose solution contains: 667 mg lactulose/mL (10 g/15 mL). Store at 20-25°C (68-77°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].
Do not freeze. Keep tightly closed. Under recommended storage conditions, a normal darkening of color may occur.
Such darkening is characteristic of sugar solutions and does not affect therapeutic action. Prolonged exposure to temperatures above 86°F (30°C) or to direct light may cause extreme darkening and turbidity which may be pharmaceutically objectionable. If this condition develops, do not use.
Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures may cause change to a semisolid, too viscous to pour. Viscosity will return to normal upon warming to room temperature. Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container as defined in the USP, with a child-resistant closure.
Distributed by: Rising Pharma Holdings, Inc. East Brunswick, NJ 08816 Revised: 08/2025
📋 Description ▾
DESCRIPTION Lactulose is a synthetic disaccharide in solution form for oral or rectal administration. Each 15 mL of Lactulose Solution USP contains 10 g lactulose (and less than 1.6 g galactose, less than 1.2 g lactose, and 0.1 g or less of fructose). It also contains D&C Yellow No.
10, FD & C Yellow No. 6 and Purified Water. Lactulose is a colonic acidifier for treatment and prevention of portal-systemic encephalopathy.
The chemical name for lactulose is 4-0-ß-D-galactopyranos-D-fructofuranose. It has the following structural formula: The molecular weight is 342.30. It is freely soluble in water. struc