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Low‐dose lactose in drugs neither increases breath hydrogen excretion nor causes gastrointestinal symptoms
Author(s) -
MONTALTO M.,
GALLO A.,
SANTORO L.,
D’ONOFRIO F.,
CURIGLIANO V.,
COVINO M.,
CAMMAROTA G.,
GRIECO A.,
GASBARRINI A.,
GASBARRINI G.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2008.03815.x
Subject(s) - lactose , ingestion , placebo , medicine , lactose intolerance , excretion , gastroenterology , lactase , carbohydrate , food science , chemistry , pathology , alternative medicine
Summary Background Despite the reported tolerance to a low dose of lactose, many lactose malabsorbers follow a rigorous lactose‐free diet also avoiding lactose‐containing drugs. Up to now, only a few case reports have described the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms in lactose malabsorbers following the ingestion of these drugs. It has been suggested that capsules/tablets contain no more than 400 mg of lactose. Aim To evaluate breath H 2 excretion and intolerance symptoms after ingestion of a capsule containing 400 mg of lactose or placebo through a randomized, cross‐over, double‐blind, controlled study. Methods Seventy‐seven lactose maldigesters with intolerance underwent two H 2 breath tests with both 400 mg of lactose and 400 mg of placebo. Gastrointestinal symptoms occurring in the 8 h following the ingestion of different substrates were evaluated by a visual‐analogue scale. Results Ingestion of 400 mg of lactose did not cause a significant difference in breath H 2 excretion or in the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms compared to placebo. Conclusion In patients with lactase deficiency, drugs containing 400 mg of lactose or less can be used safely.