Lactose is a sugar present in milk and dairy products that, in order to be absorbed by the body, it needs to be broken down into its simple sugars, glucose and galactose, by an enzyme usually present in the body called lactase.
The deficiency of this enzyme affects a large percentage of the population, and in some cases lactose intolerance may develop, causing symptoms such as gastric discomfort, nausea, bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhea, after consumption of foods containing lactose.
For this reason, there are drugs that have lactase in their composition, which if taken before meals with dairy products or dissolved in these foods, allow these lactose intolerant people to ingest dairy products without developing side effects. See all the side effects that may occur.
Some examples of remedies for lactose intolerance are:
1. Perlatte
Perlatte is a medicine that has lactase in its composition, in the concentration of 9000 FCC units per tablet. The recommended dose is 1 tablet about 15 minutes before ingesting dairy products.
This remedy can be purchased in pharmacies, in packs of 30 pills, for a price of about 70 reais.
2. Lactosil
Lactosil also has lactase in its composition, but its pharmaceutical form is in the form of dispersible tablets. Lactosil is available in two presentations, for children, in the amount of 4000 FCC units of lactase, and for adults, in the amount of 10, 000 FCC units of lactase.
The recommended dose is 1 infant tablet for every 200 mL of milk or an adult tablet for every 500 mL, which should be diluted, shaking for about 3 minutes and allowing to stand for 15 minutes before ingestion.
This medicine can be purchased in pharmacies, in packs of 30 tablets, for a price that can vary between 26 and 50 reais.
3. Latolise
Latolise is available in drops and dispersible tablets and contains 4000 FCC units of lactase for every 4 drops and 10, 000 FCC units of lactase for each tablet, respectively. The drops are adapted for use in children and the tablets for adults.
The recommended dose is 4 drops for every 200 mL of milk, which must be diluted, stirring for about 3 minutes and allowing to stand for 15 minutes, before they are ingested. For a larger amount of milk, just increase the amount of drops proportionally. The tablet can be taken 15 minutes before a meal with dairy products.
This medicine can be purchased in pharmacies, in packs of 30 pills or 7 mL, for a price that can vary between 62 and 75 reais.
4. Lacday
Lacday also has in its composition 10, 000 FCC units of lactase, but in the form of chewable tablets, which can be chewed or swallowed with water, 15 minutes before having a meal with dairy products.
This medicine can be purchased in pharmacies, in packs of 8 or 60 tablets, for a price of about 17 and 85 reais, respectively.
5. Precol
Precol is a different drug from the previous ones, because it is formulated with the enzymes beta-galactosidase and alpha-galactosidase, which break down the lactose and complex sugars present in milk and other foods in the diet, facilitating digestion.
The recommended dose is 6 drops in each dairy food preparation, mix well and wait between 15 to 30 minutes before ingestion, for the enzymes to work.
This remedy can be purchased in pharmacies, in 30 mL packs, for a price of about 77 reais.
It is important that none of these drugs is used without medical supervision, which may also adjust the doses recommended by the manufacturer.
Who should not use
Lactase drugs in their composition should not be consumed by diabetics and people with galactosemia. In addition, they are contraindicated in people who are hypersensitive to any of the components of the formula. See a diet adapted for lactose intolerants.
