Lactose intolerance is a health problem that only causes problems if you consume dairy products. Lactose intolerance can be treated with medications that help break down the compounds that trigger this condition. The medications for lactose intolerance can be safely taken and do not have any known drug-drug interactions, but you should still talk to your doctor before taking any medications for lactose intolerance.
What Is Lactose Intolerance?
To understand how medications can treat lactose intolerance, it is important to understand what causes lactose intolerance. Lactose is a carbohydrate that is found in dairy products. For your digestive tract to absorb this carbohydrate, it must first be broken down into two sugar molecules, known as glucose and galactose. The breakdown of lactose is sped up by an enzyme known as lactase; if you do not make enough lactase, consuming foods with lactose causes abdominal bloating, gas and diarrhea. This results in lactose intolerance.
Lactose Intolerance Medication
Because lactose intolerance is caused by low levels of the enzyme of lactase, this disorder can be treated by administering synthetic lactase. Lactase supplements usually come in capsule form and are sold under a variety of brand names, such as Lactaid and SureLac. These supplements should be taken at the same time as dairy products and if you continue to consume dairy products approximately 30 minutes after taking the supplement, take another lactase supplement.
Drug Interactions
One concern when taking any sort of medication, including lactase supplements, is that they will interact with other medications, either increasing the side effects you experience or interfering with the effectiveness of the medication. However, lactase does not have any documented drug interactions, which means that you can safely take it with other medications. Lactase also has no known side effects or toxicity, which means that you are unlikely to experience the exacerbation of the side effects of any other medications while taking lactase supplements.
Considerations
Although lactase is available without a prescription and does not appear to interact with any medications, you should still talk to your doctor before taking lactase supplements. Also, check with your doctor before making any major changes to your diet, including increasing the amount of dairy products you consume, since some medications should not be taken with food or calcium-containing substances.
