Lactose in Medicines: What You Need to Know
Lactose is best known as a sugar found in milk, but many people are surprised to learn that it also appears in some medicines. It is commonly used as a filler to help tablets hold their shape and dissolve properly. For most people, this causes no problems, yet for those with lactose intolerance or milk-related sensitivities, it can raise understandable questions. Knowing why lactose is used in medicines, how much is typically present, and when it might matter can help you make informed choices and know when to ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice.
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Why do medications often contain lactose?
Many medications in tablet and capsule form often contain lactose as a carrier ingredient due to its desirable properties in manufacturing. It allows the pills to be formed and the powder mixture to distribute the active ingredient equally. Lactose is also a natural substance that can be ingested safely. Individuals who are lactose intolerant, however, have trouble digesting lactose and can suffer from uncomfortable side effects such as bloating, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and nausea.
How much lactose do medications often contain?
Individuals vary in the severity of their lactose intolerance. Studies have shown that many lactose-intolerant individuals can ingest 12g of lactose daily without any side effects. The daily dose of many medications is less than 2g of lactose a day. So, unless an individual is highly intolerant and suffers from even the smallest amount of lactose or takes many different medications daily, the lactose found in many medicines is insignificant.
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Lactose-free medication
Lactose is often found in tablets, dry powder inhalation and even some liquid products, but there are lactose-free formulations. Some medicines may not have a lactose-free product available, so if it is unavoidable, other medication alternatives or a special manufacturer may need to be supplied in extreme circumstances. SPS website (www.sps.nhs.uk) contains specialist medicines information and has produced research on the available lactose-free medications, the analysis is incomplete, and some types of medication do not have all published products.
You can check with your pharmacist if there are lactose-free products available.
Healthwords Pharmacists Advice
Unless lactose intolerance is severe and lactose needs to be avoided altogether, medication with lactose is often safe to take with limited to no side effects. Lifestyle factors and careful diet control can help, as certain meals have identical amounts of lactose. Alternative products may be available but hard to guarantee, or source and special products are expensive and unlicensed. Lactase aid pills can help reduce the effects of lactose intolerance.
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