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Details

Stereochemistry ABSOLUTE
Molecular Formula C12H22O11
Molecular Weight 342.2965
Optical Activity UNSPECIFIED
Defined Stereocenters 9 / 9
E/Z Centers 0
Charge 0

SHOW SMILES / InChI
Structure of .ALPHA.-LACTULOSE

SMILES

[H][C@@]2(O[C@@H]1[C@@H](CO)O[C@](O)(CO)[C@H]1O)O[C@H](CO)[C@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@H]2O

InChI

InChIKey=JCQLYHFGKNRPGE-FCVZTGTOSA-N
InChI=1S/C12H22O11/c13-1-4-6(16)7(17)8(18)11(21-4)22-9-5(2-14)23-12(20,3-15)10(9)19/h4-11,13-20H,1-3H2/t4-,5-,6+,7+,8-,9-,10+,11+,12-/m1/s1

HIDE SMILES / InChI

Molecular Formula C12H22O11
Molecular Weight 342.2965
Charge 0
Count
MOL RATIO 1 MOL RATIO (average)
Stereochemistry ABSOLUTE
Additional Stereochemistry No
Defined Stereocenters 9 / 9
E/Z Centers 0
Optical Activity UNSPECIFIED

Description

Lactulose is a non-absorbable sugar used in the treatment of constipation and hepatic encephalopathy. It is a disaccharide (double-sugar) formed from one molecule each of the simple sugars (monosaccharides) fructose and galactose. Lactulose is not normally present in raw milk but is a product of heat-processed: the greater the heat, the greater amount of this substance. Lactulose is not absorbed in the small intestine nor broken down by human enzymes, thus stays in the digestive bolus through most of its course, causing retention of water through osmosis leading to softer, easier to pass stool. It has a secondary laxative effect in the colon, where it is fermented by the gut flora, producing metabolites which have osmotic powers and peristalsis-stimulating effects (such as acetate), but also methane associated with flatulence. Lactulose is metabolized in the colon by bacterial flora to short chain fatty acids including lactic acid and acetic acid. These partially dissociate, acidifying the colonic contents (increasing the H+ concentration in the gut).[14] This favors the formation of the nonabsorbable NH+4 from NH3, trapping NH3 in the colon and effectively reducing plasma NH3 concentrations. Lactulose is used in the treatment of chronic constipation in patients of all ages as a long-term treatment. Lactulose is used for chronic idiopathic constipation, i.e. chronic constipation occurring without any identifiable cause. Lactulose may be used to counter the constipating effects of opioids, and in the symptomatic treatment of hemorrhoids as a stool softener.

CNS Activity

Originator

Approval Year

Targets

Primary TargetPharmacologyConditionPotency

Conditions

ConditionModalityTargetsHighest PhaseProduct
Primary
CEPHULAC
Primary
CEPHULAC

PubMed

Sample Use Guides

In Vivo Use Guide
The usual adult, oral dosage is 2 to 3 tablespoonfuls (30 mL to 45 mL, containing 20 grams to 30 grams of Lactulose) three or four times daily. The dosage may be adjusted every day or two to produce 2 or 3 soft stools daily.
Route of Administration: Oral
In Vitro Use Guide
Unknown
Substance Class Chemical
Record UNII
9XH2P2N8EP
Record Status Validated (UNII)
Record Version