              |
The Latest News from Planet LactoseUpdated November 22, 1998Back to the News PageOver to Still Great NewsNEW PEPCID AC® -- WITH LACTOSE!
I've been saying for years that there is too little lactose in any
individual pill to affect the vast majority of those with lactose intolerance
and I'm not changing that story now. But there are a few of you out there who
are susceptible even to extremely tiny doses. And that's not to mention
those others who avoid any trace of milk products for a dozen other reasons.
Lactose in used in some 300 prescription medications and hundreds of
over-the-counter ones. In virtually all cases, there is another equivalent or
even identical pill that does not contain lactose. And other forms of Pepcid AC®
do not contain lactose.
The irony is that Pepcid AC® is not effective against the symptoms of
lactose intolerance. But not everyone is aware of this. Undoubtedly some people with
lactose intolerance, along with a larger group who don't know that they're LI, will take
Pepcid AC® in the hopes of getting relief. Instead, they may wind up increasing
their symptoms.
Déjà vu all over again. A few years ago, observant consumers noted that while
one variety of Imodium AD® contained no lactose, a different variety did. I, among
many others, I'm sure, complained to the manufacturers. Awhile later a "new and improved"
version appeared -- containing no lactose.
Moral: consumer action does work. Call the Pepcid AC® comment line at 800-755-4008
and complain -- firmly but politely. Tell them exactly why you would prefer to see them
make their product without lactose. Remind them that they are making other varieties
lactose-free. It may take time, but most consumer complaints are eventually addressed.
For more info, go to the
Chewable Pepcid AC® web page.
The site does not have an email address, but there is a
"Feedback" page at a different location.
You may congratulate yourselves if you succeed. You'll have done good.
PARENTAL WARNING: LI CAN CAUSE CONSTIPATION
Many of the symptoms from LI actually come from the bacteria in our
colons, who ferment the undigested lactose, producing gas in the
process. Change the bacteria to a type that produce lactase and so
will digest rather than ferment lactose and
you should be able to cut down on your symptoms.
That's the idea behind DairyCare. The instructions on the package
say to "Take two capsules in the morning for approximately 10 hours
of relief. For continuous relief take 2 capsules in the morning
and 2 capsules at dinner for one week. After a week take 1 or 2
capsules every morning for continuous relief."
As of this writing, they can only be found in stores in New Jersey.
However, look for the web site at:
Or call 1-800-903-3222.
If you try them, send me an e-mail at stevecarper@compuserve.com
to let me know how they worked.
My loyal readers come through! Here's a testimonial from Laurie:
I gave some to my friend who has the problem also and she only takes one a
day.
It has been great.
And now one from Cheryl:
I can now eat anything I want and only need to take two pills in the morning
for the entire day. I used to take up to 20 pills a day. I also break open
the capsules and use it on my 2 year old daughter. She can now eat real ice
cream with no side effects.
Here's one from Barbara:
And a big OK from Andrew:
But it doesn't work for everybody, says Claude:
There you have it: 4 for, 1 against. If I get more responses, pro or con, I'll post them here.
|
| News from Planet Lactose |  |
LI Basics |
| Dairy And ... | |
Non-Dairy Products |
| Serious Stuff | |
Fun Stuff |
| Your Questions Answered | |
Me and My Books |
| The Milk-Free Bookstore | |
More Info |
| Back to my Home Page | ||
Johnson & Johnson/Merck, the pharmaceutical giant, has just
released a new version of their Famotidine acid reducer: Chewable Pepcid AC®.
Sound good? There's a catch. Chewable Pepcid AC® contains lactose.
DairyCare claims to be a new way of treating the symptoms of
lactose intolerance. It is not a lactase pill, but a capsule that
contains Lactobacillus Acidophilus cultures.