Lactulose

[wibblewobbleball]

A pharmacist has just refused to sell me a bottle of lactulose saying it wasn't safe in pregnancy. Does anyone know why this might be the case? I googled it there and then and the NHS page says it is safe in pregnancy? I suffer with constipation every now and again when not pregnant and always just use a bit of lactulose as I find it the gentlest option for me compared to fybogel etc. I previously mentioned to my midwife and she said it was fine to continue taking on an ad hoc basis through pregnancy and to let her know if my constipation got very bad which it hasn't. The pharmacist wouldn't answer me when I said the midwife had said it was fine, and showed him the NHS page, just kept repeating it wasn't safe. Very frustrating at 8.5 months pregnancy after queuing for 20 mins to be served!!

I've also been told that it is safe. Can you not get it off the shelves? I'm sure you can in my local Tesco.

No, it's over the counter - or at least it is in my Tesco which I think is a Lloyds pharmacy?

I think it can depend on the shop. I've definitely bought it off the shelves, but not recently, so maybe things have changed.

Send your dh/partner or a friend for it

I've been told it's fine to take in pregnancy too. A pharmacist refused to give me a prescription because they disapproved of the cream being used on my chin as opposed to a limb. I would try another pharmacy or ask someone to get it for you. Constipation is horrible, especially when pregnant.

I was sold it by a Superdrug pharmacist when I was pregnant last year. Also, midwife and consultant suggested it so seems to be safe to me.

Alternatively request a prescription from your GP?

Thanks everyone. I ordered some online next day delivery in the end as I cannot face going out again today to try to get some. The pharmacist said about getting a GP to prescribe too... can't help but think what an absolute waste of NHS time and expense that would be for a £4 bottle of lactulose. Just wondered if there was a reason it was seen as unsafe in pregnancy but there doesn't seem to be.

Hey, my dr was going to prescribe this with my last pregnancy but I said I'd buy it, the pharmacist asked if I'd been recommended it by midwife/gp and gave it to me no problems. Hope you get some relief when it arrives today, I sympathise xx

My doctor has prescribed me lactulose
im
currently 20’weeks pregnant.

@wibblewobbleball oh I completely agree about it being stupid and a waste of NHS money! Not sure why there isn't joined up thinking between pharmacies and GPs/maternity services 🤷