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A Study of Controlled Lactulose Withdrawal

NCT00914056 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 7

Last updated 2013-03-20

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

After resolution of the initial episode of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), lactulose is routinely continued indefinitely as maintenance therapy. Although widely used for this indication, lactulose has never been shown in randomized, controlled trials to be effective for preventing exacerbations of HE. Indeed, lactulose was found to be ineffective at preventing HE when administered prophylactically to patients undergoing portosystemic shunt insertion. While some patients may be lactulose dependent following an initial episode of HE, it is likely that most could have their lactulose discontinued with no adverse consequences.

This goal is worth pursuing because lactulose is not innocuous. It has an unpleasant taste, and it routinely produces gastrointestinal symptoms, including bloating, gas and diarrhea. In high doses it can cause incontinence, dehydration and electrolyte derangements. Patients universally dislike taking lactulose and often are noncompliant with treatment. A recent trial showed that patients on lactulose had a substantial risk of hospital admissions due to lactulose-related complications and treatment non-compliance.

Conditions

  • Hepatic Encephalopathy

Interventions

DRUG

lactulose

withdrawal of lactulose

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Hunter Holmes Mcguire Veteran Affairs Medical Center

    lead FED

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
75 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2008-09-30
Primary Completion
2009-05-31
Completion
2012-05-31

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT00914056 on ClinicalTrials.gov