Last update Wednesday, 16-May-2001 12:15:32 EDT
Thanks to Lori (parkers@emcst.com) for reminding me to put something
about pills here. Thanks to Rafique Sheikh for the idea of adding
ingredients to some of these.
These opinions are based on my experiences. I am totally intolerant,
and I'm told my reactions are more violent than average. So sometimes
I'll overdo the pills. Prices are based on purchases made by me in
the Baltimore metropolitan area.
To answer a question I've recevied more than once, it is my understanding
that Lactase pills, or any medication labeled unspecifically like
- Take as needed
- Take 2 or 3 pills
- Determine the dosage best for you
are safe to take in large quantities without fear of the danger of an
overdose. If nothing else, it strikes me that drug companies have lawyers
who would prevent this sort of labelling on medication that *could*
cause a danger from overdose. So to the best of my knowledge, there is
no harm in taking too many pills. But I am not a doctor and I am not a
lawyer. If you are concerned, bring a bottle of pills to your doctor
or pharmacist and inquire about dosage.
Some pills refer to FCC Lactase Units, while others refer to Milligrams of
Lactase. There are 15 FCC Lactase Units per Milligram. Some pills
may include nutrients, sugars, preservatives, or solidifiers. I'm trying
to list ingredients of each pill. I make no comments about the ingredients.
Pill sizes
I generally try to get pills that are 3000 FCC Lactase Units, although I
can't remember the last time I've seen anything smaller.
That size works well for me to have a slice
or two of pizza or a 14oz Celentano Eggplant Parmigiana (yum!).
Two pills get me through a cheeseburger, and three will
get me through a small bowl of Clam Chowder or ice cream.
I'm not a fan of the 9000 Unit pills, only because it's really not that
often that I need 3 3000s. I haven't studied the price difference fully,
but I'd just rather buy 60 3000s than 24 9000s. But that's just me.
Drops
Some companies make drops that are added to food or milk to reduce the
lactose content by a stated percentage. I've never used these, because
I can't eat reduced-lactose products. I'm open to reviews.
Pills
Equate
- Perrigo Co.
- Allegan, MI 49010
These are currently my pills of choice -- thanks to my friend Lattie at work
for pointing me to them. The ones I have are 3000 FCC Lactase
Units, in a small
chewable pill. The first bite tastes a little chalky, but after that,
it's slightly sweet.
I'm growing to like the taste. I paid $3.75 for a bottle of 50 in Wal-Mart.
Contains calcium carboxymethylcellulose, cellulose gum, dextrates,
dextrose, dicalcium phosphate, lactase enzyme, microcrystalline cellulose,
croscarmellose sodium, hydrogenated vegetable oil, sodium citrate.
Lactaid
- McNeil Consumer Products Co.
- Division of McNeil-PPC Inc.
- Ft. Washington, PA 19034
The father of all Lactase products. They make chewable pills and drops,
as well as lactose-reduced milk products. The chewable pills are pretty
tasteless, but sometimes a bit hard on the first chew; the chewable pills
can be swallowed whole if you prefer.
The lactase pills I have are 3000 FCC Lactase Units, and I haven't had
a problem with them. Lactaid-brand products may be pricey compared to store-
brand alternatives. I bought a pack of 60 for $6.79, which is supposedly
the regular price for 50. I generally don't buy them unless I'm away
from home, desperately need some pills, and don't know the places to shop
for deals.
Recently in a store (July 97), I saw that there are new strengths of Lactiad
pills -- 3000, 4500, and 9000 FCC Lactase Units. I have to go and write
down prices, although I saw the 9000s in a trial pack of 2 for $1. It is
my opinion that the 9000s are overkill for all but the heaviest of dairy
meals -- the equivalent of 3 3000s, which I take primarily because I'm
paranoid about getting an attack in a given circumstance, as opposed to the
belief that I've ingested that much lactose.
Laurie Sedlmayr tells me she's used Lactaid drops in milk, but that they
don't work as well as Dairy-Ease drops.
Contains mannitol, cellulose, lactase enzyme, magnesium stearte, dextrose,
sodium citrate. Some people tell me that they are sensitive to mannitol.
Dairy-Ease
- Rite-Aid Corporation
- Harrisburg, PA 17105
Rite-Aid store brand pills, but I've seen them in other stores too.
3000 FCC Lactase Units, $5.99 for a box of 60 in Rite-Aid, $8.50/60 in
a supermarket.
Chewable pills, pretty big and round, and they don't taste too chalky.
The only problem I've had with these pills is a side-effect: if I chew a
pill and follow it with a drink of Coca-Cola, the "crumbs" of chewed pill
still in my mouth fizz up. Yuck.
Laurie Sedlmayr tells me that Dairy-Ease makes drops. She puts 30 drops in
a half-gallon of milk, and lets it sit for 24 hours, and her intolerant
child can drink it.
Contains lactase enzyme, dibasic calcium phosphate, mannitol,
colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate. Some people tell me
that they are sensitive to mannitol.
Nature's Way Lactase Enzyme
- Nature's Way Products, Inc.
- 10 Mountain Springs Parkway
- Springville, UT 84663
These were a gift from my father, which I believe he ordered in bulk, so I
don't have a price on them. 3450 FCC Lactase Units, in a large (in my
opinion) swallow pill. I find them too large to swallow easily, but I don't
swallow pills well. When I used them, I never took more than two for meals
that weren't excessive (milk, ice cream) and never had a problem.
Contains lactase enzyme, neutral maltodextrin.
CVS regular strength lactase enzyme caplets
- CVS
- Woonsocket, RI 02895
3000 FCC Lactase Units, in a small chewable pill. $10 for 120 pills.
The instructions say to take 3, then adjust up or down. I almost
never take 3 pills that big. The bottle has a child-proof cap, and I've
been unable to pry it out. A bit difficult to open.
Contains destrose, magnesium stearate, mannitol, microcrystalline
cellulose, and sodium citrate.
Lactrase
- Schwartz Pharmacy
- Milwaukee, WI 53201
These were suggested to me by Beverly Bendiksen. 250mg (3750 FCCLU) of
lactase enzyme pleasure. Beverly says they work really well, but she needs
a handful for ice cream. $36.15/100 in the Pittsburgh area -- ouch!
Natural Brand Milk Digestant
From Mike White:
I switched to Natural Brand Milk Digestant 25 mg.
These work much better for me because they do NOT contain mannitol, which
is a laxative and caused cramping and other problems.
I just eat a lot of them. Minimum 4, usually 6 - 8.
Ingredients: Lactase, rennet. FILLERS: Dicalcium Phosphate BINDERS: Cellulose
EXCIPIENTS: Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Silica
Back to Hymie!'s Lactose Intolerance Headquarters
Hymie!'s Place
Hymie! (hymie@lactose.smart.net)
