Last update June 14, 2025

Sorbitol

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Sorbitol is a polyhydric alcohol (polyol) with approximately half the sweetening power of sucrose. It is found naturally in many fruits and vegetables, including corn, and is commercially prepared by reducing glucose. It is used as an osmotic laxative orally or rectally, in bladder rinses, and as a sweetener in foods, medicines, mouthwashes, and toothpastes.

At the date of the last update, we found no published data on its excretion in breast milk.

There is a high proportion of humans with sorbitol malabsorption (Beaugerie 1995, Born 1994). Its low intestinal absorption makes it unlikely that significant amounts will pass into breast milk and be subsequently absorbed by the infant.

It is not found in breast milk.

It is metabolised to fructose in the body. Symptoms of rare hereditary fructose intolerance begin with the introduction of fruits or foods containing fructose, sucrose or sorbitol during weaning. (Baker 1993)

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Sorbitol since it is relatively safe.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Sorbitol in other languages or writings:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Sorbitol in its composition:

  • Actidose with Sorbitol™. Contains other elements than Sorbitol in its composition
  • Carbosorb XS™. Contains other elements than Sorbitol in its composition
  • Charac Tol™. Contains other elements than Sorbitol in its composition
  • Clyss-Go™. Contains other elements than Sorbitol in its composition
  • Cystosol W™. Contains other elements than Sorbitol in its composition
  • Klyx™. Contains other elements than Sorbitol in its composition
  • Macrolax™. Contains other elements than Sorbitol in its composition
  • Microlax™. Contains other elements than Sorbitol in its composition
  • Microlax (Микролакс)™. Contains other elements than Sorbitol in its composition
  • Micronema™. Contains other elements than Sorbitol in its composition
  • Minilax
  • Numoisyn™. Contains other elements than Sorbitol in its composition
  • Omnilax™. Contains other elements than Sorbitol in its composition
  • Resulax
  • Sorbiclis™. Contains other elements than Sorbitol in its composition
  • Sorbit (Сорбит)
  • Turusol (Турусол)™. Contains other elements than Sorbitol in its composition
  • Yal™. Contains other elements than Sorbitol in its composition

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. baja - Poor %
Molecular weight 182 daltons
pKa 12.59 -

References

  1. Beaugerie L, Flourié B, Lémann M, Achour L, Franchisseur C, Rambaud JC. Sorbitol absorption in the healthy human small intestine is increased by the concomitant ingestion of glucose or lipids. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 1995 Feb;7(2):125-8. Abstract
  2. Born P, Zech J, Stark M, Classen M, Lorenz R. [Carbohydrate substitutes: comparative study of intestinal absorption of fructose, sorbitol and xylitol]. Med Klin (Munich). 1994 Nov 15;89(11):575-8. German. Abstract
  3. Baker P II, Ayres L, Gaughan S, Weisfeld-Adams J. Hereditary Fructose Intolerance. GeneReviews<sup>®</sup>. 1993 Abstract

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