Many of the questions we get about Effer-K® are ones we are used to answering. But, occasionally, we get an inquiry that challenges us to learn even more about our product.

A few weeks ago we received a call from a pediatric nurse practitioner who wanted to prescribe Effer-K® to a child who needed potassium supplementation. She was excited about the Unflavored Effer-K® because it could be effervesced (and go undetected) in the child’s favorite drink. This child, however, was severely lactose intolerant, so the nurse practitioner was wondering if Effer-K® contained lactose?

After a bit of research we were able to confirm that Effer-K® does not contain lactose and is safe for patients who are lactose intolerant. What we were surprised to learn is that lactose can be found in many non-dairy products such as some types of bread, lunch meat and cereal. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “lactose is also present in about 20 percent of prescription medications, and about 6 percent of over-the-counter medications.” Fortunately, though, not in Effer-K®.