I've just been diagnosed as being lactose intolerant and am watching my dairy intake. How does a person become lactose intolerant? Can the lactose in oral medications cause me problems?
Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products, and lactose intolerance
occurs when a person does not produce enough of the enzyme called lactase.
Most people who are lactose intolerant can tolerate the lactose in oral medication because it
usually takes around 12 to 18 gm of lactose - about the amount in 8 to 12 oz of milk - to cause
the symptoms that include gas, bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Most oral medications
contain far less than this amount. However, some individuals may still experience those
symptoms from very small amounts of lactose. In these cases, lactase enzyme supplementation may
help. These supplements, available over the counter, help by breaking down lactose. Probiotics, which
contain beneficial bacteria that may help break down lactose, are another possible remedy.
If you are sensitive enough, talk to your doctor about switching to either a different
formulation of the medication or a different medication altogether. If these options are
unavailable, ask about having the medication compounded without the lactose.
Learn more about lactose intolerance in the Health Encyclopedia.
View lactose intolerance products available on Walgreens.com.
If you're looking for more specific answers to specific questions, ask a Walgreens pharmacist here.
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