A 55-year-old male with a history of alcoholic cirrhosis is admitted with confusion, asterixis, and lethargy. His ammonia level is elevated. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial pharmacotherapy for this patient's condition?

✓ Correct Answer: Option B

Lactulose is the first-line treatment for hepatic encephalopathy. It works by acidifying the gut lumen, converting ammonia (NH3) to ammonium (NH4+), which is then trapped in the colon and excreted, thereby reducing systemic ammonia levels.