Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Lactitol is a sugar alcohol used as an osmotic laxative for the treatment of constipation, including in children. Its efficacy is supported by a body of scientific evidence. Lactitol works by drawing water into the bowel, softening stools and promoting bowel movements. Several randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have evaluated its use in pediatric populations. For example, a 2018 review in the journal Pediatric Drugs concluded that lactitol is effective and generally well-tolerated for childhood constipation, with efficacy comparable to lactulose and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Studies indicate that lactitol increases stool frequency, improves stool consistency, and relieves associated symptoms such as abdominal pain. Adverse effects are usually mild and include flatulence and bloating.

Lactitol is recommended in several clinical guidelines as a second-line or alternative osmotic laxative when other agents (such as PEG or lactulose) are not suitable or effective. While PEG has more robust evidence and is usually preferred, lactitol remains a validated option. The evidence base includes multiple clinical trials and observational studies, as well as long-term safety data. Thus, the use of lactitol for pediatric constipation is supported by scientific validation with a moderate to high level of evidence.

More about lactitol
More about Constipation (children)

Other ingredients used for Constipation (children)

2'-Fucosyllactose
Agar
Alexandrian senna
Allium tuberosum
Almond fruit
Aloe vera
Aloin
alpinia galangal
Amomum
Amor seco
anise
anthraquinone
apple
Appleblossom Cassia
apricot
arabinoxylan
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
Asteraceae
atractylodes
atractylone
Bacillus
bacillus coagulans
bacteria
bael
bamboo
basil
Bassia scoparia
bee products
beet
belleric myrobalan
Bidens pilosa
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black salt
black seed
blackberry
blackboard tree
blueberry
Bombax
borassus palm
borneol
bottle gourd
bran
Broussonetia
butternut
bасора
cabbage
cactus
cantaloupe
carrot
cascara sagrada
cascaroside
castor oil
Celosia
chamomile
Chenopodium
chicory
chirata
Chondrus
cinnamon
Citrus
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
Clostridium butyricum
coconut
coconut milk
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
cucumber
Curcuma
currant
curry leaf
Cyclanthera pedata
Cynomorium
date
dianthrone
dioscorea
dodder
Eclipta
fennel
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
fig
Frangula
fructan
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
galactomannan
galactooligosaccharides
Galangal
Glucofrangulin
grape
green banana
guar gum
Guava
honey
hydroxyanthracene derivatives
Hydroxycellulose
Hygrophila
Indian bael
Indian kinotree
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Jalap
jujube
jungli-bean
karaya gum
Kefir
lactitol
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactococcus rhamnosus
lemon
ligustilides
lodhtree
long pepper
luffa
Methylcellulose
Moringa
Mucilage
Mugwort
Myrobalan
Nettle
nut grass
Nutmeg
Nymphaea nouchali
Oligosaccharides
Operculina turpethum
Ophiopogon
orange
Oryza sativa
Osmanthus
Palmyra
papaya
peach
pear
Phaeophyceae
phellodendron amurense
Phyllanthus
pineapple
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
Plantago
plum fruit
Polygonum
polyphenols
polysaccharides
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
probiotics
prune
psyllium
pumpkin
punarnava
Pyrrosia
raspberry
Rhamnus nakaharai
rhizome
rhubarb
ricinoleic acid
root tuber
Rubiaceae
seaweed
senna
Sennosides
Sesbania
Sete sangrias
Sicklepod
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Solanum indicum
soursop
spinach
squawvine
streptococcus thermophilus
Sulfated polysaccharide
sweet flag
Tamaricaceae
Tamarind
Tea
Triphala
turmeric
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
Watermelon
Wax Gourd
Wheat
Yacon
Yerba buena
Zedoary
Zingerone
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by lactitol

Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Digestion (poor)

Products containing lactitol

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.