The following laxative lowers blood ammonia level in hepatic encephalopathy
Correct Answer: Lactulose
Description: Lactulose:- It is a semisynthetic disaccharide of fructose and lactose which is neither digested nor absorbed in the small intestine--retains water. Fuher, it is broken down in the colon by bacteria to osmotically more active products. In a dose of 10 g BD taken with plenty of water, it produces soft formed stools in 1-3 days. Flatulence and flatus is common, cramps occur in few. In patients with hepatic encephalopathy, lactulose causes reduction of blood NH3 concentration by 25-50%. The breakdown products of lactulose are acidic--lower the pH of stools. Ammonia produced by bacteria in colon is conveed to ionized NH4 + salts that are not absorbed. Ref:- kd tripathi; pg num:-676
Category:
Pharmacology
Get More
Subject Mock Tests
Practice with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects and improve your knowledge.
Attempt a mock test nowMock Exam
Take an exam with 100 random questions selected from all subjects to test your knowledge.
Coming SoonGet More
Subject Mock Tests
Try practicing mock tests with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects.
Attempt a mock test now