Sofitol Syrup

1. What Sofitol Syrup is and what it is used for

Sofitol Syrup contains lactitol monohydrate, which belongs to a group of medicines known as osmotic laxatives.

It is used for:

• Treatment of chronic constipation
• Prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, a condition associated with liver disease where toxins such as ammonia accumulate in the body.

Lactitol works by reaching the colon where it is broken down by intestinal bacteria, increasing water content in the stool and helping to promote bowel movement.

2. What you need to know before you take Sofitol Syrup

Do not take Sofitol Syrup if you:

• are allergic to lactitol or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
• have appendicitis
• have intestinal obstruction
• have unexplained abdominal pain or intestinal bleeding
• have galactosemia (a rare inherited disorder of galactose metabolism)

Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Sofitol Syrup if you:

• have electrolyte imbalance or dehydration
• are elderly or debilitated and require long-term treatment
• have lactose intolerance or diabetes
• are on a low-galactose diet
• have faecal impaction, which should be treated before starting this medicine
• have ileostomy

Long-term use of laxatives should be avoided unless recommended by your doctor.

If watery diarrhea occurs, reduce the dose or stop treatment and consult your doctor.

During treatment, blood electrolytes may need to be monitored, particularly in elderly patients.

Hydrogen gas may accumulate in the bowel during treatment. Patients undergoing procedures such as electrocauterisation may require bowel cleansing with a non-fermentable solution.

Lifestyle measures such as adequate fluid intake, fibre-rich diet and physical activity should be followed in the management of constipation.

Other medicines and Sofitol Syrup
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines.

Sofitol Syrup may interact with:

• Diuretics (e.g., thiazide diuretics)
• Corticosteroids
• Amphotericin B
• Carbenoxolone

These medicines may increase potassium loss, which can increase the risk of digitalis toxicity.

Taking broad-spectrum antibiotics may reduce the therapeutic effect of lactitol by altering intestinal bacteria.

Taking neomycin together with lactitol may increase the activity of neomycin.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Pregnancy: Lactitol is minimally absorbed after oral administration. However, there is limited information regarding its use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown no harmful effects on fetal development. Sofitol Syrup should be used during pregnancy only if clearly necessary and prescribed by your doctor.

Breast-feeding: It is not known whether lactitol passes into breast milk. Since the drug is minimally absorbed, exposure to the infant is expected to be low. Your doctor will decide whether you should continue breastfeeding or take Sofitol Syrup.

Driving and using machines
Sofitol Syrup has no or negligible effect on the ability to drive or operate machines.