I have recently discovered that most anti-histamines TABLETS seem to contain lactose. The syrups do not. I never knew this before, and having recently been diagnosed with a severe dairy allergy my dietician informed me to always check the labels of any drugs or supplements, and to buy some antihistamine syrup instead, which is lactose free. Lactose does not dissolve in water, so the syrup is generally lactose free.
Never assume anything
Please always check with your doctor and pharmacists before taking any drugs, including antihistamines. Don’t assume they will know or check ingredients in drugs, always read and check the ingredients yourself before taking anything. I even asked my pharmacists if Piriton contained lactose and was told that it definitely did not, however when I got home I discovered that it did. Ingredients can also change if a drug is improved so always check each time, even if you think something is safe or you checked when you took it previously. She obviously didn’t realise but it could have been a dangerous assumption to make; I will make sure I revisit the chemists in question and let them know for future enquiries.
This is very worrying, that someone can be diagnosed drugs that contain lactose to treat a dairy allergy. Lactose is a milk sugar. If you are allergic to cows milk you may be able to tolerate lactose, but if you have a serious dairy allergy it could cause you more problems, and worsen your symptoms.
Please be safe; always check ingredients and never ever assume doctors and pharmacists know everything there is to know.
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Watch out with the syrup though. I needed some anti histamine last week and the syrup had kind of got stuck around the top and I couldn’t open it for love nor money. The manufacturers say to wipe carefully around the lid every time you use it. Good advice but who is actually going to remember to do that? I have to wait till my husband is there to get the damn thing open. So remember to try to wipe the rim of the bottle clean after each use.
I have found a lactose-free prescription antihistamine on the Net. It’s called Fexofenadine. Has anyone tried it?
No. Never heard of it. Where did you fine it? Is it available across the world? and who makes it? Sounds interesting…
Comment from Ron Wise: (Sorry Ron for deleting your original comment, it got deleted with the horrible spam I get so much of to my blog. Fexofenadine hydrochloride, the active ingredient of ALLEGRA tablets, ALLEGRA ODT and ALLEGRA oral suspension, is a histamine H1-receptor antagonist
I am also allergic to Lactose and have discovered nearly all my prescribed medications contain lactose including the capsule form of Benadryl (for allergies). Allegra was recommended to me by my pharmacist.
Thanks Ron, this is brilliant. Neither my doctor nor my allergy specialist knew about this drug so I’ll let them both know. Great stuff. I’ve been carrying about glass jars of the syrup with weigh too much really and not great when going with a small handbag!
I have now managed to get Fexofenadine. It’s 120mg tablets and they work really well. Took me a while to get them though. Via chemist who found them, then had to beg the doctor. Got there in the end, and better than having to carry around glass bottles.
Be careful with which pharmaceutical company makes your generic Fexofenadine. Out of the six companies that I checked with a couple of months ago, four of them had lactose in the preparation. Dr. Reddy’s brand is lactose free, but I can’t remember which other one was as well. I have to check every time that the pharmacy has given me the correct brand.
Crikey! No I didn’t know this. I get Telfast, Sanof brand. Just ordered some more. Must check with pharmacist when I collect.
Drs can’t always have a drug bible, mine doesn’t. When she called the WalMart Pharmacy they told her the pharmaceutical companies do not tell them the ingredients. When I asked the pharmacist during consultation about lactose in Atenolol that were prescribed for me that he’d just boxed up, he said there’s no way to know, go online to find out. So I’m taking a Beta Blocker Atenolol 50mg with povadone (allergen) which was just increased to 100mg and a diuretic Hydrochlorothiazide 25mg with lactose. Also taking a generic antihistamine Chlortab 2mg with lactose to counteract the allergens, and caffeine when needed to counteract the lights/migraine. Is this why my blood pressure never goes below 140/85??? I’m also taking Forskohlii, Hawthorne berries, Red Yeast Rice, Niacin 500mg time release during the day and 500 mg before bed. No one seems to be able to help me find drugs without allergens/side effects. Any suggestions???
Your doctor should have a bible. I’m guessing you’re in the US if you mention Walmart? Our doctors here in the UK do have a big manual/catalogue thing but it really is like a huge bible. Bigger and longer than the bible, and they have always been happy to look for alternatives for me but I have to always ask, otherwise I’ll get prescribed the cheapest easiest thing which often contains dairy. Surely the Pharma companies HAVE To disclose the ingredients? That’s mad. and atually seriously worrying – what are they hiding? I have a dairy free anti-histamine but had to ask for it. Often the liquid form is dairy free here. And also disolvable options, if available are usually lactose free but taste horrible! You can’t have it all. Hope this helps. But I would seriously go back to your doctor and insist on him/her finding out and checking the ingredients. Have you read the blog post about prednisolone currently on the home page? Not sure if the links in that might help… Good luck and let me know how you get on.
Yes am in the USA, mountains of north central AZ. Seems most Drs & Walmart Pharmacists dont want to be bothered with knowledge, just take your paid-for meds & get out of their face. Moved to another pharmacy as they all sell $4 a month/$10 for 3 months generic prescriptions. Am just starting Medicare this month, seeing a new Dr. (Internist) today. My Medical Assistant sister-in-law 2000 miles away recommended stick with Interns as they have more schooling & know more. Time will tell…
Good luck! I would not be at all surprised if young doctors might have more knowledge. Perhaps it is a new thing – not that new though.
hi , i live in Rwanda and am having difficulty to find antihistamines that are lactose free .has any one any suggestions for what i can take ,medication here is very limited ,the more the better as i will be able to check what the phamasist stock ,at present the antihistamines that i have found contain lactose or the leaflet provided is not in english .
regards
julie
Hi Julie, I use Fenofexadine which is lactose free but always check, drugs can change and be different in other countries. Generally if you can find the liquid antihistamine syrup they tend to be lactose free but I’m not 100% sure so wd always check. Good luck! Hope you find some. Failing that cd someone post you some?