What is Enulose Syrup Used for?

Sometimes called by its generic name lactulose, Enulose syrup is a prescription medication. Enulose is typically prescribed to treat portal-systemic encephalopathy.

Background

• Portal-systemic encephalopathy is a condition that arises due to cirrhosis of the liver. The conditions is marked by a buildup of harmful toxins in your body that your liver is unable to remove due to decreased functioning.

Function of Enulose

• When Enulose enters your colon after digestion, it breaks down into an acid due to the presence of bacteria found naturally in the organ. The acid attracts ammonia molecules in the blood to enter the colon, where it combines with the sugars contained in Enulose to form a solid mass that is eliminated through defecation.

Benefits

• Removing ammonia from your bloodstream helps decrease the level of toxins in your body, decreasing the likelihood of coma or death from portal-systemic encephalopathy.

Risks

• The most common side effects of Enulose include flatulence, belching and abdominal pain, which occurs in approximately 20 percent of patients, according to RxList.

Considerations

• Because its effects upon fetal development are unknown, doctors rarely prescribe Enulose syrup for use by pregnant women unless there is no safe alternative to treatment. Additionally, patients who have a sensitivity to galactose cannot safely take Enulose.