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.

laxatives

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)

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.