Lactulose, works well, tastes disgusting.

[Rogerro]

Does anyone know what I can put in lactulose to improve the taste! I have to take it, like many here, but to be honest it almost makes me gag. I always have a lemon drink in one hand with the lactulose in the other, still is a quite close thing though😕. Does any manufacturer sell a flavoured version. Took me a while to believe HE was a problem for me, I was working on a purely "denial" reaction to my NASH diagnosis but recent events have shown me that "they" (the specialists) were spot on. So now behaving myself and taking everything they suggest. Most are fine but Lactulose ughhh!

[LAJ123]

Hello there,

Totally agree that the taste is awful.

The way I made is acceptable to drink was, not to mix it with anything but to follow it immediately with something that I did like. In my case it was strawberry Ensure, which was also prescribed so I got twice the goodness in one go.

You are in the right place to talk about hepatic encephalopathy as many of us either had it pre-transplant or are living with it right now. There is lot of advice on the British Liver Trust website, including a link to an 'HE Passport' which they produced in collaboration with a drug company. My biggest problem during my pre-transplant days was the HE resulting in a total of 80 nights in hospital in a nine month period, so I know what you're going through.

Take care,

Jim

britishlivertrust.org.uk/he...

[Rogerro in reply to LAJ123]

Thanks for that, I downloaded it for the wife.

[Hidden in reply to LAJ123]

Hi

Sorry to but in , I'm glad you like the taste of ensure. My son had to have it when he was diagnosed with Crohn's, he hated it!! My Mum used to give him so much a sip so as you can imagine he took the smallest sip to make more money!!! Take care Lynne

[Rogerro in reply to LAJ123]

When you say it ended up with 80 nights in hospital, could I ask what were the symptoms that needed hospital visits? I am trying to make sure I avoid stuff that could bring it on and what my wife should be aware of. I downloaded the HE passport, but I haven't found anything about what would necessitate a hospital visit. I would understand if you may not want to talk about it but it would be helpful.

[Bootandall]

I take mine with cold water over ice, but mine is flavored, lemon or orange I think. Then I drink more water to get rid of the taste! 😜 I have mine with my medications and then I eat breakfast, so I don't really dwell on the taste. At night, I take it the same way, with another rifaximin. Yep, good times. The worse part for me is the urgency of functions that follows. 😲

[Rogerro in reply to Bootandall]

Thanks, I don't currently have overt signs of HE so they have started this quite early in the process because I am self employed and need to drive long distances frequently, so getting the timing and doses right have taken me quite a while, got lactulose and Rifaximin just about right but spironolactone and furosemide also cause issues, spironolactone is fine but furosemide is an issue as if I take it I need to pee about every 20 minutes😕. But the only one that gives me trouble is taking lactulose.

[carllovatt]

I understand there are flavors available in the states? but nothing is going to hide that flavor.

I also believe there other products that are similar to lactoses speak to your pharmacist and dr

whatever you add to it, it will only increase the size of the drink

[Hidden]

My husband used to just hold his nose and knock it back !!

[AyrshireK in reply to Hidden]

Same with hubby, always says "i'll never get used to that stuff .... yuk!" but needs must.

[Rogerro in reply to AyrshireK]

Yes, my wife says that I say almost the same thing every time I take it🤪😁

[mncold in reply to Rogerro]

Hi Rogerro,

My husband does the same - takes it with his other pills and then does breakfast.

He takes it twice a day, the supper time one he just grabs a coke afterward.

So sorry there doesn't seem to be any help from us. I seem to remember one of his doctors saying he could mix it with juice.

Best wishes,

Mary

[Rogerro in reply to mncold]

Thanks Mary, all information is helpful, glad that my experience is not unusual, I asked my pharmacist today and he said pretty much the same. Grit your, teeth take it and follow with something you like. It works so take a little comfort in that.

Thanks for your reply.

[mncold in reply to Rogerro]

HI,

You are very welcome.

mary

[Willh0]

Hi Rogerro,

Iactulose was the bain of my life for about 18 months. I hated it but in the end I had to just knock it back. Like a shot of some alcohol that tastes disgusting but you have at the end of the night when you need it least!!! But you get it down you somehow. I was on 4 different types 4 times a day. The other 3 that I took were passable. I used to get the nurses to mix them all together into a well how can I put it??? A cocktail patented as a “shit the bed” . It did exactly what the name suggests, well if you weren’t quick enough. Thankfully I don’t have to take anymore, but I found having a bit of fun with it and laughing with the nurses helped a bit. Good luck with it all.

Will

[Hidden]

Hi

Fortunately I don't mind the taste. The worst one for me is the stuff you have to take for a colonoscopy!! Ugh!!! Take care Lynne

[Bootandall in reply to Hidden]

Hi Lynne, I agree, that stuff is awful!! 😝