Laxatract 667 mg/ml Syrup for Dogs and Cats

Lactulose

Last verified

Veterinary medicinal product: syrup. Distribution category: POM-V (Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3). Active substance: Lactulose.1

In short: questions and answers

Does Laxatract 667 mg/ml Syrup for Dogs and Cats need a prescription?
Prescription only. As stated in the registration decision.1
Which animals is Laxatract 667 mg/ml Syrup for Dogs and Cats for?
Cats, Dogs.1
What is the active substance in Laxatract 667 mg/ml Syrup for Dogs and Cats?
Lactulose. ATCvet code: QA06AD11.13
What is the withdrawal period of Laxatract 667 mg/ml Syrup for Dogs and Cats according to the leaflet?
No withdrawal period is set for this drug: it is not intended for food-producing animals.3
Dispensing
Prescription only1

POM-V: Prescription Only Medicine - Veterinarian. Supplied only on a prescription written by a veterinary surgeon who has assessed the animal.12

Supplied only on a veterinarian's prescription. As stated in the registration decision.

Animal species
Cats1, Dogs1
Active substance
Lactulose
ATCvet code
QA06AD113
Manufacturer
Marketing authorisation holder: Dechra Regulatory B.V.

Withdrawal period

No withdrawal period is set for this drug: it is not intended for food-producing animals.3

Summary of product characteristics

Composition

Each ml contains

Active substance:

Lactulose 667.0 mg

(as lactulose, liquid)

Excipients:

Qualitative composition of excipients and other constituentsQuantitative composition if that information is essential for proper administration of the veterinary medicinal product
Benzyl alcohol (E1519)2.0 mg
Water, purified

Clear, viscous liquid, colourless or pale brownish-yellow.

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Pharmacological properties

4.1 ATCvet code: QA06AD11

4.2 Pharmacodynamics

Lactulose is a disaccharide (galactose/fructose) that is not hydrolysable by mammalian gut enzymes. Upon reaching the colon, lactulose is metabolized by the resident bacteria resulting in the formation of low molecular weight acids (lactic, formic and acetic acid) and CO2. These acids have a dual effect; they increase osmotic pressure drawing water into the bowel causing a laxative effect and also acidify colonic contents. The acidification causes NH3 (ammonia) to migrate from the blood into the colon where it is trapped as [NH4]+ (ammonium ion) and expelled with the faeces.

4.3 Pharmacokinetics

Lactulose is poorly absorbed after oral administration and it reaches the colon unchanged. In dogs and cats, less than 2% of an oral dose of lactulose is absorbed (in the small intestine). The absorbed drug is not metabolized and excreted unchanged in the urine within 24 hours.

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Target species

Dogs and cats.

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Indications

For the treatment of constipation (e.g. due to intestinal atony after surgery, hairballs, massive intestinal contents).

For the symptomatic treatment of disease conditions which require facilitated defecation (e.g. partial obstructions due to for example tumours and fractures, rectal diverticulum, proctitis and poisoning).

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Dosage

Oral use.

Dogs and cats: 400 mg lactulose per kg bodyweight per day, corresponding to 0.6 ml veterinary medicinal product per kg body weight per day. This should preferably be divided into 2-3 doses over the day. The dosage may be adjusted as needed. To ensure a correct dosage, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible.

Approximately 2-3 days of treatment may be necessary before a treatment effect occurs.

Contact a veterinarian to adjust the treatment if abdominal discomfort or diarrhoea occur. The veterinary medicinal product can be mixed with feed or given directly into the mouth.

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Contraindications

Do not use in animals with total gastro-intestinal obstruction, digestive perforation or risk of digestive perforation.

Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.

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Adverse reactions

Dogs and cats:

FrequencyAdverse events
Common (1 to 10 animals / 100 animals treated)Flatulencea, Gastric distensiona, Abdominal crampa
Very rare (<1 animal / 10.000 animals treated, including isolated reports)Diarrhoeab
Undetermined frequency (cannot be estimated from the available data)Dehydrationb

a Early in therapy, generally abate with time.

b Signs of (relative) overdose, a veterinarian should be consulted.

Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to either the marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for respective contact details.

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Warnings

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:

Lactulose solution contains some free lactose and galactose, and may alter the insulin requirements in diabetic patients. Use with caution in animals with pre-existing fluid and electrolyte imbalances, since lactulose may exacerbate these conditions, if diarrhoea occurs.

Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals

This veterinary medicinal product may cause flatulence and diarrhoea. Accidental ingestion should be avoided, especially by a child. To avoid accidental ingestion, the veterinary medicinal product must be used and kept out of reach of children. Always replace the cap after use.

This veterinary medicinal product contains benzyl alcohol. This preservative may cause hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions. People with known hypersensitivity to benzyl alcohol should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product. Wash hands after use. In case direct contact with skin or eyes should occur, rinse with clean water. If irritation persists, seek medical advice and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.

Special precautions for the protection of the environment:

Not applicable.

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Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

Pregnancy and lactation:

Can be used during pregnancy and lactation.

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Interactions

None known.

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Overdose

An overdose does not cause other adverse effects than those stated in section 4.6. Replace fluids and electrolytes if necessary.

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Special warnings

None.

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Withdrawal period

Not applicable

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Incompatibilities

In the absence of compatibility studies, this veterinary medicinal product must not be mixed with other veterinary medicinal products.

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Immediate packaging

50 ml and 125 ml: HDPE bottle closed with a (LDPE) syringe inlay and a (HDPE) cap.

325 ml: HDPE bottle closed with a (LDPE) syringe inlay and a cap (PP).

Oral syringe (5 and 10 ml): Polypropylene (PP) barrel and plunger, graduated per 0.2 ml.

Cardboard box of 1 bottle of 50 ml with a 5ml oral syringe

Cardboard box of 1 bottle of 125 ml with a 5ml oral syringe

Cardboard box of 1 bottle of 325 ml with a 10ml oral syringe

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

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Storage

This veterinary medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

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Shelf life

Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 2 years

Shelf life after first opening of the immediate packaging: 3 months

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Disposal of unused product

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater.

Use take-back schemes for the disposal of any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived thereof in accordance with local requirements and with any national collection systems applicable to the veterinary medicinal product concerned.

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Additional information

Vm 50406/4000

8 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

22 May 2019

9 DATE OF THE LAST REVISION OF THE SUMMARY OF THE PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

July 2026

10 CLASSIFICATION OF VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Veterinary medicinal product subject to prescription.

Find more product information by searching for the ‘Product Information Database’ on www.gov.uk.

Approved: 02 September 2026

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Registration holder

Dechra Regulatory B.V.

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Regulations

Sources

  1. VMD Product Information Database: Laxatract 667 mg/ml Syrup for Dogs and Cats, 50406/4000 UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (OGL v3.0), checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04
  2. The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3 (categories of veterinary medicinal products) UK Government, legislation.gov.uk, checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04
  3. Summary of Product Characteristics: Laxatract 667 mg/ml Syrup for Dogs and Cats UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, SPC of the marketing authorisation holder, checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04

The same active substance in other countries

These are different medicines with different authorisations. The dispensing status is the one on each product's own page, which gives its basis. The leaflet of the product in hand applies.

Spain

All products with this active substance (2)

Poland