[A clinical comparative study of crystalline pure lactulose and powder pure lactitol in portasystemic encephalopathy of cirrhotic patients].

The efficacy and the tolerability of the new crystalline pure lactulose formulation (Laevolac Cristalli) vs lactitol is evaluated in 40 patients suffering from liver cirrhosis and treated for the associated encephalopathy (PSE). Both disaccharides proved to be effective in the maintenance therapy of PSE. With respect to the previous formulation of lactulose, the crystalline one has a significantly lower incidence of side-effects. Pure crystalline lactulose, showing a similar efficacy and rise of side-effects, proved to be better accepted by the subjects of this study.