If you have lactose intolerance or a cow’s milk, dairy allergy, it’s important to always check your medication as some can contain dairy in the form of powder or lactose. This could cause stomach or skin problems for anyone with a dairy intolerance.
Most antihistamine tablets contain lactose
I have recently discovered that most anti-histamine 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.
Check, check and check ingredients before taking
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.
Can someone with a dairy allergy tolerate lactose?
When you get diagnosed with a dairy allergy you will be told to avoid lactose, as well as a whole list of other cow’s milk derivatives such as whey, curds etc. However lactose is a milk sugar;, dairy allergy happens when the body detects protein from the cow’s milk. These are very different. 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.
What’s interesting is that I know I’ve had medication with lactose in it and not noticed any issues. Is there any protein left in lactose? Is all lactose equal?
Lactose free products are NOT suitable if you have a dairy allergy
It’s very important to know that lactose free, dairy milk products have had the lactose milk sugar removed but they still contain protein. Never consume lactose free products if you have a cow’s milk dairy allergy.
Can lactose contain any dairy protein?
But is the actual lactose ingredient dairy protein free? Does it contain that dangerous cow’s milk protein that triggers an allergic reaction in those with a dairy allergy?
I’d love to understand the science behind this so if anyone is reading this as a doctor, nurse or pharmacists who knows the answer to this please tell! Comment below to explain – can a dairy allergic eat lactose without a reaction? And can lactose contain any milk protein?
Are there antihistamines that don’t contain lactose?
Please be safe; always check ingredients and never ever assume doctors and pharmacists have checked, or always know which ones to suggest and prescribe. Here are a few that I’ve found are lactose free:
- Liquid antihistamines – usually prescribed for children. Can work really fast and efficiently as easily consumed and used in the body. Including: Boots Allergy Relief 1 Year Plus Antihistamine 2mg/5ml Syrup, Benadryl, Zirtek, Piriton syrup, Boots antihistamine syrup and Phenergan Elixir.
- Fexofenadine – A slow acting antihistamine – great for long lasting conditions that you need to take medication daily for. Take at the beginning of the day to treat hay fever for instance. This is not so good
- Alimemazine Tartrate
- Ilaxten
Your GP should be able to check all medication for you before prescribing. No matter what drugs you need, for any condition, always check if you have a lactose intolerance or dairy allergy.
You may also be interested in reading:
- Why does prednisalone contain lactose dairy?
- 20 top tips for enjoying cafes if you have a cow’s milk dairy allergy
- The best washing powders for eczema skin
- Check out the NHS for more info on antihistamines
Photo by JESHOOTS.com from Pexels
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?
Yes. Was it telfast.
I react badly to fexo.
Tab, sorry so long in time … my daughter seems to react poorly to fexo but I wanted to ask what your reaction is as I am not sure if it is the med or a coincidence. She was given the hydrochloride Teva brand in 120mg capsules …. cannot see lactose on the list but certainly a lot of strange filler coating additional ingredients.
I feel very spaced out, dizzy etc. Seem to be OK with antihistamines now. all so confusing as could be caused by so many things on any given day..
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 am also extremely dairy intolerant and find I can only take OTC Allegra as it appears to be the only non-drowsy antihistamine without lactose in it generally available on the market. I take one to 1/2 tablet a day, depending on the season as I live in a high allergen area, OK. There really isn’t much choice for those of us with dairy intolerance. There are so many other sugars to choice from… or even just glucose which is safe for everyone. Why can’t they just use glucose?
I know, it’s so frustrating. We do have liquid antihistamine here in the UK which is lactose free but it’s an expensive way of getting antihistamines.
Like you, Ruth, I carry around little bottles of syrup. It’s so hard to find antihistamines, and cough syrups too. I feel boxed into a corner every time I need medication. I cannot tolerate lactose, sucralose, nor other artificial sweeteners. My druggist brushed me off when I told her the mannitol in a new med was a problem. I’m also allergic to red dye.
I think it’s time I visited a local compounding pharmacist. Hopefully my public health plan will accept their receipts.
It is frustrating isn’t it because I also think the liquid antihistamine costs way more, weights more and takes up way more space. And I never knew you could get a druggist to mix up something for you. What a great idea.
Have you tried moringa seeds? I dont have lactose allergies but hate the drowsiness from antihistamines. A friend in pharma told me about the moringa seeds. You crack the husk and eat the white seed inside. Really bitter with a weirdly sweet aftertaste. Works wonders for me but had no effect on hubby and my cousin had a bad reaction to it
I think my son is lactose intolerant so came across this blog. Will try Allegra
So moringa seeds work like an antihistamine? Would they work for hay fever? I’ve never heard of them before. Thanks so much for sharing.
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.
Hydrochlorothiazide cause diabetes
Have them compounded without fillers. Many times the compounded medications are much cheaper than the ones from the typical pharmacy. Your doctor just needs to write, “No fillers” on the prescription and document that you have an allergy to ___________ (fill in the blank). Some of the insurance companies will pay for compounded medications, others will not. Some compounding pharmacies have the ability to bill your health insurance directly – others do not.
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?
Hi Julie, can you get hold of Saffron, Cardamom and Basil in Rwanda? I’m not sure how well these herbs work but I think they have natural anti-histamine qualities. Worth looking into.
Lactose in meds is frustrating. I refuse to pay full price for the lactose-free Allegra, but most of the generics contain a lot of lactose. PLEASE let companies know that lactose is not appreciated, and always notify the FDA when you have unpleasant side effects having to do with lactose. When I petitioned them a few years ago to ban lactose in meds, they told me it was classified as an inert material because there were no REPORTED side effects from it. Sometimes I think the folks working for the gov are as dumb as rocks. How can there be no side effects??? You don’t have to take this sitting down…report it!!! Complaining to your doctor/pharmacist will not work. You will need to write to the FDA and to companies, loudly and often, telling them you will no longer purchase their products. I once got Costco to remove lactose from their Kirkland generics after I wrote to them, but now they are starting to use it again!!! Time to sharpen up the ol’ pencils again….
I am tired of using medication with lactose in it. I am lactose intolerance and every time the doctor prescribe me any med with lactose in it i will suffer for days. Please someone have to look in to this there is million of people that is Lactose Intolerance and it makes us more sick after we take a medication for any illlness. .
I know, it’s crazy but it’s in nearly everything. I always have to ASK doctors to check in that huge bible because they rarely actually know. But I stear clear of doctors if I can and hate taking any medication. Sometimes you have to but it seems to be very useful as an ingredient, they would probably use something worse if not lactose. Always insist your doc. checks for an alternative. There is often one but they don’t know about it.