Lactose intolerance

[Steven Light]

My wife is extremely lactose intolerant but lactase enzyme pills (Lactaid brand name in US) do the trick for her. Do farmacias along the Camino sell them? We are going in mid-May. Can't wait. Thanks.

 

[SabsP]

My wife is extremely lactose intolerant but lactase enzyme pills (Lactaid brand name in US) do the trick for her. Do farmacias along the Camino sell them? We are going in mid-May. Can't wait. Thanks.

They seem to know it.
https://www.lactaidenespanol.com/products/lactaid-fast-act-caplets

Your safest bet is to mail a big farmacia, for instance in Pamplona, to ask if they have it in stock.
Pharmacists have a good knowledge of English. I mailed a pharmacy prior to my leave to ask them about availability of a med that I needed.

 

[Dave C.]

My wife is extremely lactose intolerant but lactase enzyme pills (Lactaid brand name in US) do the trick for her. Do farmacias along the Camino sell them? We are going in mid-May. Can't wait. Thanks.

Privete message SYates. She lives in Santiago and is always helpful.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Lactose intolerance is pretty prevalent in most of the World. It should not be a problem. Your Wife enjoys wine? Stick with that, LOL.

 

[natefaith]

Hi Steven and welcome to the Forum! Our son is also lactose intolerant and we've been able to find lactose-free ("sin lactosa" in Spanish) milk, yogurt, and cheese here - the sin-lactosa market has grown a bunch in the last few years in Spain, thankfully.

When we tried to purchase "lactasa" (the pills) at a pharmacy in Santiago the pharmacist looked at us very weirdly and didn't have them. So since then I've always purchased them online at amazon.es. They have the Kirkland brand of lactase pills and they work really well for my son.

All that to say....you may want to bring enough with you to get you through the first weeks of your Camino. That way you can have time to check in at pharmacies in different towns to see if they have them. It may be very hit or miss. Of course, if you want to be extra sure, you may want to just bring enough for the entire trip - Lactaid pills are very light, thankfully. But that might be a hassle for your packing...you'll have to see!

Take care and enjoy all the planning. Buen Camino!
Faith

 

[RJM]

Just bring as many as you need with you. Its not a prescription drug and it's consumable. Gets lighter everyday.
You certainly don't want to spend time looking for farmacias while walking the Camino. So many better things to do.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I'm not sure if it is only cow diary that has lactose in it. If that is the case then you may wish to read this concurrent thread about goat and sheep cheese. The original poster only has a problem with cow diary.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/goat-sheep-cheese.52382/

 

[SYates]

Hi, I asked today in my friendly neighbourhood pharmacy here in Santiago and here is what I found out (just copying what I also send @Steven Light in a PM, in case it is useful for other):

"Lactase products are widely and freely (without prescription) available in Spain. The most common one is called Lactoben (forte). See http://www.nutricionpersonalizada.c.../salud-digestiva/enzimas-digestivas/lactoben/

The active ingredient for the forte variety is

"Ns Lactoben Forte son comprimidos que contienen [9000 FCC de Lactasa[, útiles para personas con altos niveles de intolerancia a la lactosa."[

which is equivalent/the same to "Lactase Enzyme 9000 FCC Lactase Units" here in this product from the US

https://www.lactaid.com/products/fast-act-chewables#active-ingredients
"

Buen Camino, SY

 

[natefaith]

Good to know, @SYates ! Now I wonder why MY friendly neighborhood pharmacist looked at us so bewilderedly!! Maybe I'll try using the word "Lactoben" next time instead of "lactasa"...we shall see .

 

[Kurt5280]

I am Lactose intolerant too...but I really never had a problem with the "real aged cheeses" in Spain like I do with the "cheese food" in America...also I did not see a lot of milk in Spain like in America...and if you do see milk it is usually stored and served at room temperature so it is not really an appealing choice for Americans...also juice is most offen served room temperature with meals and is more available and cheaper in Spanish grocery stores...lastly with all of the Camino exercise I really burned every meal I ate so I never really noticed any Lactose intolerance.