Duphalac Fruit: Comprehensive Guide and FAQs

Duphalac Fruit is a laxative solution containing lactulose, designed to alleviate constipation and promote softer stools. This guide provides detailed information on its usage, benefits, and potential side effects. We will also address frequently asked questions to ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of this medication.

What is Duphalac Fruit?

Duphalac Fruit is an oral solution containing lactulose, a type of sugar that is not absorbed by the body. Instead, it draws water into the bowel, softening stools and making them easier to pass. This makes Duphalac Fruit an effective treatment for constipation and related conditions.

Uses of Duphalac Fruit

Duphalac Fruit is primarily used for:

• Treating Constipation: It helps to relieve infrequent bowel movements and hard, dry stools.
• Producing Soft Stools: This is particularly beneficial for individuals with hemorrhoids or those who have undergone rectal or large bowel surgery.

How Duphalac Fruit Works

Lactulose, the active ingredient in Duphalac Fruit, works by drawing water into the bowel. This process softens the stools, making them easier to pass. Lactulose is not absorbed into the bloodstream, ensuring that its effects are localized to the digestive tract.

Before Taking Duphalac Fruit

Contraindications

Do not take Duphalac Fruit if you have:

• An allergy to lactulose or any other ingredients in the medicine.
• Galactosaemia: A genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to process galactose.
• An obstruction in your digestive tract (other than ordinary constipation).
• A perforation in your digestive tract or a risk of perforation (e.g., acute inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).

Struggling with constipation? Duphalac Fruit Syrup is the effective solution! 🌿💧 It helps soften stools and ease bowel movements without being absorbed into the body. Consult your doctor before use! #Health #Constipation #Duphalac #ConstipationRelief #WellnessTips #HealthyLivin pic.twitter.com/JSa1RLidnd

— Ahmed Abdelbaky, PharmD (@AhmedAbdelbaky) April 6, 2025

Warnings and Precautions

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking Duphalac Fruit if you have:

• Unexplained abdominal pain.
• Roemheld syndrome: A condition where gas accumulation in the gastrointestinal tract may cause cardiac complaints.
• An inability to digest milk sugar (lactose).
• Diabetes mellitus.

Special Conditions

Duphalac Fruit should not be used if you have:

• Galactose or fructose intolerance.
• Lapp lactase deficiency.
• Glucose-galactose malabsorption.

Interactions with Other Medicines

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines. Lactulose can increase the potassium loss caused by some other medicines, such as thiazides, corticosteroids, and amphotericin B. The simultaneous use of cardiac glycosides (e.g., digoxin) and lactulose may increase the effect of cardiac glycosides due to potassium loss.

How to Take Duphalac Fruit

Dosage

The dose may be taken as a single daily dose or divided into two daily doses. After a few days of treatment, the starting dose may be adjusted to the maintenance dose depending on the treatment response.

Adults and Adolescents

• Starting Dose: 15-45 ml (10-30 g lactulose), equal to 1-3 sachets.
• Maintenance Dose: 15-30 ml (10-20 g lactulose), equal to 1-2 sachets.

Children (7-14 years)

• Starting Dose: 15 ml (10 g lactulose), equal to 1 sachet.
• Maintenance Dose: 10-15 ml (7-10 g lactulose), equal to 1 sachet.

Children (1-6 years)

• Starting Dose: 5-10 ml (3-7 g lactulose).
• Maintenance Dose: 5-10 ml (3-7 g lactulose).

Infants under 1 year

• Starting Dose: Up to 5 ml (up to 3 g lactulose).
• Maintenance Dose: Up to 5 ml (up to 3 g lactulose).

Administration

• Take the dose at the same time each day.
• Swallow the medicine quickly; do not keep it in your mouth.
• You can take Duphalac Fruit oral solution undiluted or diluted in some liquid.
• If you are taking Duphalac Fruit in bottles, use the measuring cup provided.
• If you are taking Duphalac Fruit in 15 ml single-dose sachets, tear open the corner of the sachet and take the contents immediately.

Possible Side Effects

Like all medicines, Duphalac Fruit can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects have been reported:

• Very Common: Diarrhoea.
• Common: Flatulence (wind), nausea (feeling sick), vomiting, abdominal pain.
• Uncommon: Electrolyte imbalance due to diarrhoea.
• Not Known: Allergic reactions, rash, itching, hives.

Flatulence may occur during the first few days of treatment but usually disappears after a few days. If you experience abdominal pain or diarrhoea, reduce the dose.

Storage and Disposal

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the carton or bottle label.
• Partly used sachets must be discarded.
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use.
• This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.
• After first opening of the bottle, the medicine can be used for 21 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Duphalac Fruit used for?

Duphalac Fruit is used for the symptomatic treatment of constipation and to produce a soft stool. It is particularly beneficial for individuals with hemorrhoids or those who have undergone rectal or large bowel surgery.

2. How does Duphalac Fruit work?

Duphalac Fruit contains lactulose, which draws water into the bowel, softening stools and making them easier to pass. Lactulose is not absorbed into the bloodstream, ensuring its effects are localized to the digestive tract.

3. Can I take Duphalac Fruit if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

Duphalac Fruit can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There are no expected effects on fertility. However, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.

4. What should I do if I forget to take Duphalac Fruit?

If you forget to take Duphalac Fruit, do not worry. Take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

5. Can Duphalac Fruit be taken with food and drink?

Duphalac Fruit can be taken with or without food. There are no restrictions with regard to food and drink.

6. What should I do if I experience side effects from Duphalac Fruit?

If you experience side effects such as diarrhoea, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Reducing the dose may alleviate these symptoms.

7. How should I store Duphalac Fruit?

Keep Duphalac Fruit out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use it after the expiry date stated on the carton or bottle label. Partly used sachets must be discarded. This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.

8. Can Duphalac Fruit be used in children?

In special cases, the doctor may prescribe Duphalac Fruit for a child, baby, or infant. In such cases, the doctor will supervise the treatment carefully. Laxatives should only be used in children, babies, and infants in exceptional cases and under medical supervision.

9. What should I do if I take more Duphalac Fruit than prescribed?

If you take more Duphalac Fruit than prescribed, it may cause diarrhoea, loss of electrolytes, and abdominal pain. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have taken more than the prescribed dose.

10. Can Duphalac Fruit be used for prolonged periods?

Prolonged use of unadjusted doses (resulting in more than 2-3 soft stools per day) or misuse can lead to diarrhoea and disturbance of electrolyte balance. Without consulting your doctor, do not use Duphalac Fruit for more than 2 weeks.

Conclusion

Duphalac Fruit is an effective laxative solution for treating constipation and promoting softer stools. By following the guidelines provided in this article, you can ensure safe and effective use of this medication. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice tailored to your specific needs.