A Review of the Risk of Cow's Milk Protein Allergy in Oral Medication.

ABSTRACT

Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated cow's milk allergy (CMA) is a common food reaction resulting from the consumption of cow's milk protein (CMP). The clinical manifestations of CMA include mild to severe urticaria, skin-manifested hypersensitivity reactions, and anaphylaxis. Food allergies may affect 8% of children and 10% of adults. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) requires that the label of a food must declare the presence of a "major food allergen" (MFA) contained in the food or ingredient. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) generally regards milk protein concentrate (MPC) as safe for human consumption and use. The increasing use of MPC in formulations raises the need for its revelation in prescription and on labels of over-the-counter drugs. This review investigates oral and topical (including mucosal) preparations containing MPC for dermatologic and other uses and their therapeutic impact. Our findings suggest that for the adult population, the risk of serious cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) from medications is minimal.