The chemical name for lactulose is 4-0-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-D-fructofuranose. It has the following structural formula:

Lactulose is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and no enzyme capable of hydrolysis of this disaccharide is present in human gastrointestinal tissue. As a result, oral doses of lactulose solution reach the colon virtually unchanged. In the colon, lactulose is broken down primarily to lactic acid, and also to small amounts of formic and acetic acids, by the action of colonic bacteria, which results in an increase in osmotic pressure and slight acidification of the colonic contents. This in turn causes an increase in stool water content and softens the stool.

Since lactulose does not exert its effect until it reaches the colon, and since transit time through the colon may be slow, 24 to 48 hours may be required to produce the desired bowel movement.

Lactulose solution given orally to man and experimental animals resulted in only small amounts reaching the blood.

Urinary excretion has been determined to be 3% or less and is essentially complete within 24 hours.