Hypernatremia after the Administration of Lactulose

Letters1 June 1977Hypernatremia after the Administration of LactuloseCHARLES KAUPKE, M.D., TIMOTHY SPRAGUE, M.D., GARY L. GITNICK, M.D.CHARLES KAUPKE, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, TIMOTHY SPRAGUE, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, GARY L. GITNICK, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-86-6-745 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptControlled studies have shown lactulose (1, 4-8-galactoside-fructose) to be an effective agent in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy (1). Reported side-effects have been minor in nature, including diarrhea, which is generally attributed to overdosage of the drug. Recently, a patient admitted to the UCLA Center for the Health Sciences with hepatic encephalopathy was treated with lactulose and developed severe hypernatremia within the first 3 days of treatment, while receiving standard doses of the drug.This 54-year-old man noticed the gradual onset of weakness and anorexia with a subsequent weight loss of approximately 13.5 kg. He admitted to alcohol intake of...References1. ELKINGTONFLOCHCONN SMH: Lactulose in the treatment of chronic portal-systemic encephalopathy. A double-blind clinical trial. N Engl J Med 281:408-412, 1969 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. BIRCHERMÜLLERGUGGENHEIM JJP: Treatment of chronic portal-systemic encephalopathy with lactulose. Lancet 1:890-893, 1966 MedlineGoogle Scholar3. BIRCHERHAEMMERLISCOLLO-LAVIZZARI JUG: Treatment of chronic portal-systemic encephalopathy with lactulose. Am J Med 51:148-159, 1971 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. CONNLEEVYMADDREY HCW: Lactulose in the treatment of chronic portalsystemic encephalopathy: a prospective double-blind cooperative comparison of lactulose with neomycin (abstract). Gastroenterology 67:784, 1974 Google Scholar5. FESSELCONN JH: Lactulose in the treatment of acute hepatic encephalopathy. Am J Med Sci 266:103-117, 1973 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Department of Medicine Center for the Health Sciences University of California at Los Angeles 10833 Le Conte Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90024 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByElevated serum sodium in recipients of liver transplantation has a substantial impact on outcomesGastrointestinal Problems in Acute Kidney InjuryPretransplantation EvaluationLactulose: How Many Ways Can One Drug Be Prescribed?Gastrointestinal Problems in Acute Renal FailureIntensive care of patients with acute liver failure: Recommendations of the U.S. Acute Liver Failure Study GroupDisturbances of acid-base balance in cirrhosis: a neglected issue warranting further insightsAdverse effects of laxativesEffects of oral administration of lactulose in healthy horsesGastrointestinal problems in acute renal failureThe management of constipation in adultsLabetalolSodium Phosphate-Induced Hypernatremia in an Elderly Patient: A Complex Pathophysiologic StateHypernatremia Due to Repeated Doses of Charcoal-SorbitolLactitol in prevention of recurrent episodes of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients with portal-systemic shuntLactitol vs. lactulose in the treatment of acute hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients: A double-blind, randomized trialLactitol versus lactulose in the treatment of chronic hepatic encephalopathySerum electrolyte abnormalities caused by drugsHepatic EncephalopathyLactitol in the treatment of chronic hepatic encephalopathy: an open comparison with lactulose.Use and Abuse of CatharticsLactulose-Induced HypernatremiaDrug-Induced Electrolyte DisordersDiarrhöenPortosystemic encephalopathy in two young dogs: some additional diagnostic and therapeutic considerationsTherapy of portal-systemic encephalopathy: The practical and the promisingTreatment of chronic portal-systemic encephalopathy with lactose in lactase-deficient patientsTreatment of chronic portal systemic encephalopathy with bromocriptineMiscellaneous drugs 1 June 1977Volume 86, Issue 6Page: 745-746KeywordsAddictionAlcoholsBrain diseasesDiarrheaDrugsHypernatremiaWeight loss Issue Published: 1 June 1977 PDF DownloadLoading ...