Lactose in drugs and lactose intolerance – realities and myths
Lactose intolerance is a set of clinical symptoms occurring after lactose intake, characterised by abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhoea. Adult-type hypolactasia is the most common cause of lactose intolerance and is associated with the physiological loss of lactase activity in adulthood. Hypolac...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Medical Communications Sp. z o.o.
2018-10-01
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| Series: | Pediatria i Medycyna Rodzinna |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.pimr.pl/index.php/issues/2018-vol-14-no-3/lactose-in-drugs-and-lactose-intolerance-realities-and-myths?aid=1221 |
| Summary: | Lactose intolerance is a set of clinical symptoms occurring after lactose intake, characterised by abdominal pain, bloating
and diarrhoea. Adult-type hypolactasia is the most common cause of lactose intolerance and is associated with the
physiological loss of lactase activity in adulthood. Hypolactasia occurs in 30% of the population of Polish adults. It should
be noted that the presence of lactase deficiency does not mean that the patient will develop symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Currently, many patients self-diagnose lactose intolerance based on the occurrence of various symptoms and begin to apply
a restrictive diet, avoiding dairy products without consulting a doctor. Self-reported lactose intolerance is often not confirmed
by objective tests. A restrictive diet can, however, lead to complications. Studies have shown that the occurrence of lactose
intolerance symptoms depends on the dose of consumed disaccharide, and the dose of 12 g is considered to be well-tolerated
in most patients. This means that, for many patients, it is not necessary to completely eliminate lactose from diet. Lactose is
one of the most commonly used excipients in pharmaceutical industry. Some studies have shown that small amounts of
lactose contained in medicines do not cause symptoms in patients; however, their role in inducing symptoms of lactose
intolerance has not been confirmed so far. Moreover, the information on the exact content of lactose in drugs is often limited.
This data could positively impact the quality of care for lactose intolerant patients and increase their medication compliance. |
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| ISSN: | 1734-1531 2451-0742 |