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Indications & Uses
Maxilax is indicated for:
Pharmacology
Lactitol Monohydrate is a disaccharide derivative made up of galactose and sorbitol. The body absorbs very little of it, and the disaccharidases in the GIT don't hydrolyse it, so it reaches the colon unchanged. There the intestinal flora break it down into short chain, low molecular weight organic acids. This raises the osmotic pressure in the colon, which increases the water content and volume of the stool, and that is how the laxative effect comes about. Lactitol Monohydrate works in the lumen of the colon, where it is virtually 100% bioavailable. Only minimal amounts are absorbed, and up to 2% can be found unchanged in the urine.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Lactitol can be mixed with hot or cold drinks, puddings and similar foods. The dose will need adjusting to get one bowel movement a day in constipated patients, and two bowel movements a day in patients with portal systemic encephalopathy.
In constipation
In adults, the starting daily dose should be 20 g, taken as a single dose with the morning or evening meal. After a few days, a daily dose of 10 g may be enough.
In children, the mean dose is 0.25 g/kg body weight daily. For 1 to 6 years it is 2.5 to 5 gm, for 6 to 12 years it is 5 to 10 gm, and for 12 to 16 years it is 10 to 20 gm.
The effect of lactitol mostly appears within a few hours of taking it. In some cases, though, the first laxative response may be delayed until the second or third day of use. So patients should be advised to keep up an adequate daily fluid intake.
In portal systemic encephalopathy
The dose should be adjusted to the severity of the patient's disease and how they respond. The recommended starting dose is 0.5 to 0.7 gm/kg body weight daily, divided into three doses taken with meals.
Side Effects
When you first start taking lactitol, you may get some stomach discomfort, such as flatulence, pain, cramps or a feeling of fullness. These effects usually ease or go away after a few days of taking Lactitol Monohydrate regularly. Nausea or anal pruritus (itching around the anus) has also been reported occasionally in some people.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
If an elderly or debilitated patient is on long-term treatment with lactitol, their serum electrolytes should be checked regularly. As with any laxative, fluid or electrolyte imbalance that is already present should be corrected before starting lactitol. After treatment with Lactitol Monohydrate, hydrogen may build up in the bowel. So a patient who needs an electrocauterisation procedure should have a thorough bowel cleansing with a non-fermentable solution first. Lactitol Monohydrate is not recommended in cases of ileostomy or colostomy. Laxatives shouldn't be used for long periods without a break.
Contraindications
Don't give Lactitol Monohydrate to anyone who is known to be hypersensitive to any of its ingredients.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Very little lactitol is absorbed into the body after it is taken by mouth, so it isn't known whether a mother's use of lactitol would expose the baby in the womb to the drug. There are no data on whether lactitol passes into human or animal milk. The effects on a breastfed infant and on milk production are also not known.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Storage
Keep Lactitol Monohydrate in a cool, dry place, away from light. Make sure children can't reach it.
Drug Interactions
Common questions about Maxilax 10 gm/15 ml
What is Maxilax 10 gm/15 ml Oral Solution?
Maxilax 10 gm/15 ml Oral Solution is a medicine that contains Lactitol Monohydrate. It is made by Opsonin Pharma Limited. It belongs to the Osmotic purgatives group of medicines.
What is Maxilax used for?
Maxilax is used for: Constipation.
What are the side effects of Maxilax?
When you first start taking lactitol, you may get some stomach discomfort, such as flatulence, pain, cramps or a feeling of fullness. These effects usually ease or go away after a few days of taking Lactitol Monohydrate regularly.
Can I take Maxilax during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Very little lactitol is absorbed into the body after it is taken by mouth, so it isn't known whether a mother's use of lactitol would expose the baby in the womb to the drug. There are no data on whether lactitol passes into human or animal milk. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
How should I store Maxilax?
Keep Lactitol Monohydrate in a cool, dry place, away from light. Make sure children can't reach it.
Can I take other medicines with Maxilax?
Some medicines can interact with Lactitol Monohydrate, for example: Neomycin Sulphate, Amphotericin B. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine you take.
Do I need a prescription for Maxilax?
Maxilax is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.