Lactose
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 22, 2024.
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
What is it?
Lactose (C12H22O11) is milk sugar. It is a disaccharide composed of one galactose and one glucose molecule. In the pharmaceutical industry, lactose is used to help form tablets because it has excellent compressibility properties. It is also used to form a diluent powder for dry-powder inhalations. Lactose may be listed as lactose hydrous, lactose anhydrous, lactose monohydrate, or lactose spray-dried.[1]
People who are lactose intolerant do not have the enzymes needed to digest lactose. Most medications do not contain enough lactose to cause lactose intolerance. But some patients with severe lactose intolerance may experience symptoms. Lactose can be found in birth control pills, and some OTC drugs to treat stomach acid or gas.[2] Patients who are specifically "allergic" to lactose (not just lactose intolerant) should not use tablets containing lactose, or ask their health care provider prior to use.
Some examples of medications containing Lactose
- Alprazolam 2 mg
- Alprazolam 0.5 mg
- Carvedilol 6.25 mg
- Carvedilol 3.125 mg
- Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10 mg
- Clonidine Hydrochloride 0.1 mg
- Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride 10 mg
- Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride 5 mg
- Hyland's Leg Cramps (Homeopathic) Cinchona Officinalis, Viscum Album, Gnaphalium Polycephalum, Rhus Toxicodendron, Aconitum Napellus, Ledum Palustre, Magnesia Phosphorica
- Lorazepam 0.5 mg
- Lorazepam 1 mg
- MucaphEd guaifenesin 400 mg / phenylephrine hydrochloride 10 mg
- Nitrofurantoin (Monohydrate/Macrocrystals) 100 mg
- Oxycodone Hydrochloride 30 mg
- Promethazine Hydrochloride 25 mg
- Promethazine Hydrochloride 12.5 mg
- Serophene 50 mg
- Unithroid 25 mcg (0.025 mg)
- Unithroid 100 mcg (0.1 mg)
- Viagra 100 mg
References
- [1]Dave RH. Overview of pharmaceutical excipients used in tablets and capsules. Drug Topics (online). Advanstar. 10/24/2008 http://drugtopics.modernmedicine.com/drugtopics/Top+News/Overview-of-pharmaceutical-excipients-used-in-tabl/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/561047. Accessed 08/19/2011
- Anon. Lactose Intolerance. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health. NIH Publication No. 09–2751 June 2009; http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/lactoseintolerance/#products. Accessed 08/19/2011
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.