Diarrhoea sorbitol

This is a semisynthetic disaccharide which is not absorbed from the GI tract. It produces an osmotic diarrhoea of low pH, and discourages the proliferation of ammonia-producing bacteria. It is therefore useful in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. Osmotic laxatives like lactulose, sorbitol, and lactilol rarely cause significant adverse effects. Glycerol suppositories are useful in softening and lubricating passage of inspissated faeces. 

Osmotic diarrhoea. Occurs if osmotically active solutes are retained in the intestinal lumen water will not be absorbed and diarrhoea will result. Ingestion of poorly absorbed substrates, such as mannitol, sorbitol, Epson salts (MgS04) and some antacids (MgOHj), can occur in a number of malabsorption syndromes. For example, a failure to digest lactose (lactose intolerance) means that lactose remains in the intestinal lumen and osmotically holds water. 

The clinical picture is characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, dizziness and hypoglycaemia, not only following the intake of fructose (oral, intravenous), but also after sorbitol infusions (sorbitol is converted to fructose in the organism). Growth failure... 

Diarrhoea due to oral sorbitol is dose-dependent even a dose of 30 g, if divided over the day, will not increase intestinal motility (38 ). 

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