Lactulose

CAS 4618-18-2

Lactulose is a synthetic disaccharide consisting of a fructose molecule linked to a galactose molecule. It is not naturally occurring and is produced commercially by the isomerization of lactose. Unlike most carbohydrates, lactulose is not digested or absorbed in the human small intestine. Instead, it travels to the colon where it is fermented by gut bacteria. This action makes it a widely used medication to treat constipation and to manage a liver disease called hepatic encephalopathy.