By Dr. Michael Zechmann-KhreisPeople with lactose intolerance are often dependent on lactase supplements to be able to enjoy dairy products or eat out without symptoms. There is now a large selection of products – but which ones are really affordable and have a sensible dosage? In this blog post, we provide a well-founded overview of price-performance, where to buy and practical examples of how much lactase capsules really cost in everyday life.
What is lactase and how much do I need?
Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down milk sugar (lactose) into digestible components. The amount required depends on the lactose content of the meal and the individual tolerance threshold. In practice, 3000 to 6000 FCC units per meal are often sufficient; for larger portions or more sensitive people, 9000 to 18000 FCC is recommended. Our price comparison is based on this upper range. The abbreviation FCC for lactase stands for Food Chemicals Codex. The FCC is an internationally recognized standard for the quality and purity of food additives, including enzymes such as lactase.
An overview of price-performance: Which products are worthwhile?
We compared 23 popular products that are readily available in Germany and Austria and analyzed how much lactase is offered per euro (price per 1000 FCC):
SilaVit and Mivolis perform particularly well in the price comparison. An FCC unit is particularly inexpensive here. However, subjective practical tests have shown that some of these inexpensive products are less effective. In such cases, the dose must be increased – and the price advantage is put into perspective.
Sample calculation:
Lactrase from pronatura is widely available, is frequently recommended in pharmacies (especially in Austria) and offers good value for money.
A SilaVit pack containing 100 tablets with 6000 FCC each costs €7.95. This works out at €0.159 per meal (2 tablets). However, if double the dose is required, the real price is approx. 0.32 €. Lactrase with 12000 FCC per tablet costs €0.17-0.18 per meal, depending on the variant – and is therefore one of the reliably cheap options.
Where to buy? Online, drugstore or pharmacy?
Our comparison shows clear price differences between the sales outlets:
- Online pharmacies and drugstores (e.g. Müller) offer the lowest prices – especially for private labels.
- Amazon.de and DM are in the midfield.
- Local pharmacies are the most expensive option. We think it’s a shame that pharmacies automatically dispense Lactrase from pronatura when you ask for lactase and don’t even think of offering different options, which would also be available.
Tip: Larger packs are worthwhile. If you use reputable online providers with free shipping, you will save the most in the long term.
What will this cost me in everyday life?
Let’s assume you eat a meal containing lactose once a day and need 6000 to 12000 FCC. The monthly additional costs at a glance:
Laktase Preisvergleich (Stand Mai 2025)
| Marke / Produkt | FCC | Preis pro 1000 FCC | Preis / Mahlzeit | Stück / Packung | Kosten | Kaufort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SilaVit | 6000 | 1.33 € | 0.16 € | 100 | 7.95 € | Müller |
| Lactrase | 12000 | 2.10 € | 0.17 € | 150 | 25.21 € | Online Apotheke |
| Mivolis | 6000 | 1.50 € | 0.18 € | 100 | 8.98 € | Amazon |
| Sanotact | 7000 | 1.39 € | 0.22 € | 90 | 9.70 € | Amazon |
| Doppelherz | 4500 | 1.93 € | 0.22 € | 120 | 8.69 € | Online Apotheke |
Those who buy online pay an average of around €5 per month – a moderate but noticeable expense. In local pharmacies, the costs can easily triple for the same dose.
The country comparison also provides interesting findings:
- In Austria, the average price per meal is €0.287.
- In Germany, the average is € 0.311.
The differences are therefore small. In both countries, it comes to around 30 cents per meal.
Good planning is half the battle!
Anyone who regularly uses lactase tablets should make a targeted comparison: both the price per meal and the FCC performance vary greatly. If you order larger quantities online, prefer products with a high active ingredient content and pay attention to an appropriate dosage, you can make significant annual savings.
Our recommendations:
- Avoid overdosing – this will only put a strain on your budget.
- Look out for products with at least 6000 FCC per tablet. This is cheaper.
- Online pharmacies and drugstores (e.g. Müller, DM, Rossmann) are the cheapest sources of supply.
- Pay attention to the shipping costs when ordering online
- Pay attention to the best-before date – especially if you buy larger quantities.