Medicines labeled for the same conditions
Alternatives to lactulose
16 other medicines are given the same way (oral) and in the same FDA class as lactulose or labeled mainly for the same use (constipation); 3 are in its class, osmotic laxatives: polyethylene glycol 3350, magnesium sulfate and sodium phosphate dibasic and sodium phosphate monobasic; the others include 1 chloride channel activator and 1 serotonin-4 receptor agonist (FDA labels read October 8, 2026). In the same class, the lowest pharmacy cost is $0.0039 per gram (Epsom salt) (what pharmacies paid in the NADAC survey; strengths differ).
Which medicines are labeled for the same conditions as lactulose?
Constipation lists all 20 medicines labeled for it, by any route. Each row shows the conditions both labels name. They are listed as public records, not as substitutes: whether one can replace another depends on the person and is a prescriber's decision.
| Medicine and FDA class | Shared indication | Generic labelers (oral) | Pharmacy cost | Boxed warning | Shortage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lactuloseosmotic laxative | this medicine | 22 labelers | $8.22 per packet 10 g packet | No | No current entry |
| Polyethylene glycol 3350osmotic laxative · same class | Constipation | 73 labelers | $0.0286 per gram 3350 powd | No | No current entry |
| Magnesium sulfatecalculi dissolution agent · same class | Constipation | none listed | $0.0039 per gram Epsom salt | No | No current entry |
| Sodium phosphate dibasic and sodium phosphate monobasicosmotic laxative · same class | Constipation | 1 labeler | n/a | No | No current entry |
| Docusate | Constipation | none listed | $0.0276 per unit 100 mg softgel | No | No current entry |
| Sennosides | Constipation | none listed | $0.0258 per tablet 8.6 mg tablet | No | No current entry |
| Bisacodyl | Constipation | none listed | $0.0441 per tablet 5 mg tablet | No | No current entry |
| Magnesium hydroxide | Constipation | none listed | $0.0095 per mL Milk of magnesia suspension | No | No current entry |
| Magnesium citrate | Constipation | none listed | $0.0066 per mL Magnesium citrate solution | No | No current entry |
| Lubiprostonechloride channel activator | Constipation | 10 labelers | $0.651 per capsule 24 mcg capsule | No | No current entry |
| Prucaloprideserotonin-4 receptor agonist | Constipation | 18 labelers | $0.639 per tablet 1 mg tablet | No | No current entry |
| Psyllium husk | Constipation | none listed | n/a | No | No current entry |
| Calcium polycarbophil | Constipation | none listed | $0.0591 per unit 625 mg caplet | No | No current entry |
| Mineral oil | Constipation | none listed | $0.0099 per mL Mineral oil | No | No current entry |
| Castor oil | Constipation | none listed | $0.0193 per mL Castor oil | No | No current entry |
| Methylcellulose | Constipation | none listed | $0.0135 per gram Fiber therapy powder | No | No current entry |
| Polyethylene glycol 3500 | Constipation | 1 labeler | n/a | No | No current entry |
Source: FDA drug labels (indications) via openFDA; FDA NDC Directory; CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026; FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do pharmacies pay for each?
The headline NADAC price per unit of each medicine's most widely listed form; strengths differ, so compare like with like on each record.
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey, October 7, 2026: what retail pharmacies paid per unit; not a counter price
What next?
- Lactulose: the full record
- label, generics, price, shortages, recalls
- Polyethylene glycol 3350 vs lactulose
- two records side by side
- Lactulose vs docusate
- two records side by side
- Sennosides vs lactulose
- two records side by side
- Bisacodyl vs lactulose
- two records side by side