Allergy Medications Dangerous for People w/Food Allergies

So there's this:

A notice about milk ingredients in several popular allergy medications: For those with a dairy allergy, watch out for these medications containing dairy: Link

Zyrtec and Zyrtec-D Adult 10 mg tablets

Zyrtec Children’s Chewables (5mg & 10mg)

The Allergy/Asthma Information Association (AAIA) lists other allergy and asthma medications that contain milk:

· Singulair 4 mg granules & 10 mg tablets (not in the 4 mg or 5 mg tablets)

· Reactine, Aerius, Claritin tablets (not liquid form).

· Benadryl 50 mg pink/white capsule (not caplet, chewable tablets or liquid form)

· Prednisone tablets

These asthma medications also contain milk:

Advair

Flovent

Foradil aerolizer capsules

Oxeze turbuhaler

Spiriva capsules

Symbicort turbuhaler

Ventolin diskhaler, diskus, rotacaps

Those with food allergies typically do have environmental allergies as well and may be using these allergy medications to treat their symptoms. Treatment for a food allergy reaction is epinephrine and a Benadryl or Zyrtec. 

Seriously, let's not give someone who's having an allergic reaction to milk a medication that contains MILK. 

Lactose Containing Asthma/Allergy Meds

• Singulair 4 mg granules & 10 mg tabs (but not 4 & 5 mg tabs)
• Reactine, Aerius, Claritin tabs (but not liquid forms). Allegra is lactose free
• Benadryl 50 mg pink/white capsule (not caplet, chewable tabs or liquid)
• Prednisone tabs but not Pediapred

Lactose Containing Asthma Inhalers

Lactose containing dry powder inhalers	Lactose-Free DPIs
Advair diskus	Bricanyl
Flovent diskus	Pulmicort
Foradil aerolizer capsules
Oxeze turbuhaler
Spiriva capsules
Symbicort turbuhaler
Ventolin diskhaler, diskus, rotacaps

All pressurized spray asthma inhalers (MDIs) are lactose free.  Link

Differences between Milk Allergy and Lactose Intolerance

Milk allergy should not be confused with lactose intolerance. A food allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a specific food protein. When the food protein is ingested, in can trigger an allergic reaction that may include a range of symptoms from mild symptoms (rashes, hives, itching, swelling, etc.) to severe symptoms (trouble breathing, wheezing, loss of consciousness, etc.). A food allergy can be potentially fatal.

Unlike food allergies, food intolerances do not involve the immune system.  People who are lactose intolerant are missing the enzyme lactose, which breaks down lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. As a result, lactose-intolerant patients are unable to digest these foods, and may experience symptoms such as nausea, cramps, gas, bloating and diarrhea. While lactose intolerance can cause great discomfort, it is not life-threatening. link

A milk allergy is commonly mistaken for lactose intolerance, which is a different condition that causes digestive symptoms. If you have a milk allergy, a common symptom is a skin rash. Hives and eczema are also common rashes associated with a milk allergy. link