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- Does Duphalac require a prescription in Spain? - February 23, 2026
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In Spain, Duphalac is a prescription-only medicine, and public reimbursement may be limited to specific indications and conditions.
Duphalac is an oral solution whose active ingredient is lactulose, an osmotic laxative used in constipation and in specific clinical situations where the goal is to soften stools, according to its official information.
Duphalac recipe Spain
Duphalac is listed as a prescription drug in health and professional databases used in Spain, which in practice means that the pharmacy usually requires a prescription to dispense it, even if the packaging is known for digestive use.
Is it covered by Social Security or is it always paid for?
The Ministry's official funding search engine indicates that funding may be restricted and linked to specific indications, with requirements such as visas, so a standard co-payment does not always apply to every use.
In practice, this means that there may be a difference between going with a "fundable" prescription for a covered indication and going with a private prescription, where the patient assumes the full cost of the medication.
What is Duphalac and what situations is it used for?
The official technical data sheet lists its use in the treatment of constipation and also in other specific medical contexts, and therefore it should be understood as a regulated medicine, not as a generic self-care product.
If the digestive problem recurs, or if there are doubts about the cause of the constipation, it is usually best to review the case with a professional, because not all constipation is handled the same way and may require a different approach.
Lactulose and alternatives in pharmacies: what changes and what doesn't.
In Spain there are other presentations with lactulose besides the Duphalac brand, and what usually changes is the commercial name or the packaging, while the active ingredient remains the same when it comes to lactulose.
For persistent constipation, people often compare lactulose with other osmotic laxatives, for example Movicol, and the final choice depends on the clinical context and the prescription.
Below is a quick way to understand what usually determines access in pharmacies, without going into usage guidelines.
| Usual situation | What usually happens in a pharmacy |
|---|---|
| Medical prescription submitted | Dispensing according to prescription |
| Restricted funding | Covered indication and requirements may be required |
| Private recipe | Full payment by the patient |
This text is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. For exact use, duration, and conditions, consult the official package leaflet and follow the instructions of your doctor or pharmacist.
