Buyer protection
Contents
Donkey milk is not a substitute for medication – not even for those that have side effects. It is a food and not a medicine. If side effects are affecting you, the right thing to do is to talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Never stop taking prescribed medication on your own. In this article, we explain why this is the case and what you should know about milk and medication.
Food and medicine are two different things
Medicines are intended to treat illnesses. They are approved, dosed, and accompanied by medical or pharmaceutical guidance. Food is for nutrition and enjoyment. This distinction is clearly regulated in EU law.
Donkey milk is clearly a food. It does not treat illnesses, and it cannot replace medicine. Anyone who claims otherwise – regardless of the natural product – is promising something that a food cannot do.
The term "natural" does not help here either. The fact that a product comes from nature says nothing about whether it can replace medicine. A food can be part of a varied diet. The treatment of an illness remains the responsibility of doctors and medicines.
If side effects are affecting you
Side effects can be very unpleasant. Nevertheless, it is risky to simply stop taking medication or "replace" it with food. Many medicines cannot be stopped abruptly, and the underlying condition remains. These steps are sensible:
- Note your observations: What is happening, since when, how often, and in what context?
- Talk to your doctor: Often, there are options to adjust the dose, timing, or preparation.
- Ask at the pharmacy: There you will get information on the correct way to take it, including in connection with food and drink.
- Do not stop anything on your own: Changes to your medication should always be left to professionals.
- Bring all preparations with you: A list of all medications and supplements you use will make the conversation easier.
Milk and medication: an important note
For some medicines, the patient information leaflet states that they should not be taken with milk or dairy products, or that a time interval is required. Donkey milk is milk – and contains about 60–90 mg of calcium per 100 ml. Such information in the patient information leaflet therefore generally also applies to donkey milk.
Read the patient information leaflet of your medication carefully. If you are unsure whether and when you can consume donkey milk or other dairy products, ask at your pharmacy or your doctor.
What donkey milk objectively is
Donkey milk is the milk of donkeys. In addition to the needs of her foal, a donkey gives about 1–2 liters per day. It is milked by hand or in small quantities. That is why donkey milk is rare and expensive.
| Nutritional value | per 100 ml (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Energy | 35–45 kcal |
| Fat | 0.3–1.8 g (mostly under 1 g) |
| Protein | 1.5–1.9 g |
| Lactose | 6–7 g |
| Calcium | 60–90 mg |
Donkey milk naturally contains lysozyme and lactoferrin. We list both as ingredients without deriving any effects from them. Donkey milk also contains milk protein and more lactose than cow's milk (around 4.7 g per 100 ml). In the case of lactose intolerance or milk protein allergy, a medical assessment is necessary.
Why we rewrote this article
An earlier version of this article brought donkey milk close to medication. That was not acceptable. We have completely revised the text because we do not want to mislead anyone into changing necessary treatment. Donkey milk is a special, rare food – nothing more and nothing less. Anyone interested in its composition can find an overview on our page Donkey Milk in Research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace medication with donkey milk?
No. Donkey milk is a food and not medicine. Never stop taking prescribed medication on your own and talk to your doctor if you have questions.
Can I drink donkey milk with medication?
That depends on the respective medication and the time it is taken. For some medicines, the patient information leaflet advises against taking them at the same time as milk. If in doubt, ask at your pharmacy.
What do I do if side effects bother me?
Talk to your doctor. Often, the treatment can be adjusted. A food is not a solution for this.
Is donkey milk free from allergens?
No. Donkey milk contains milk protein and lactose. You can find the information on the label.
Donkey milk is a food and not medicine. If you have health questions, please contact your doctor.
