Lactose Monohydrate – Classic Filler & Carrier for Solid Dosage Forms

Product name: Lactose Monohydrate

Synonyms: Milk sugar

CAS: 64044-51-5 / 10039-26-6 (pharma refs)

MF: C12H22O11·H2O

MW: 360.31


Lactose monohydrate is a crystalline disaccharide widely used as a diluent, filler, and binder in tablets, capsules, and inhalation powders.

It provides excellent compressibility, uniform particle size distribution, and consistent flow, supporting both direct compression and wet granulation processes.

In dry powder inhalers, special grades of lactose act as carriers to ensure accurate dosing and aerosolization of micronized APIs.

Lactose is chemically stable, physiologically well tolerated, and compatible with many actives, making it one of the most widely used excipients in oral solid dosage design.

Multiple grades (sieved, milled, spray-dried) are available to match specific process and performance requirements.