Gluten in Medications

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Although people with celiac disease are generally focused on the food they eat, it is important to remember that it is possible to be exposed to gluten when taking medication. Gluten is used in many medications as an excipient, which binds the pills together. There are several types of excipients that drug companies may use, so it is important always to check with the manufacturer to be sure that the particular medication you are taking is indeed gluten-free.

The problem:

• There are currently NO requirements for labeling gluten or common allergens found in  drug ingredients.
  
• There are NO specific precautions for individuals with Celiac Disease in labeling.
• Potential sources of gluten (medication excipients) are NOT well-recognized by health professionals or patients.
• Botanical source of starch may not be specified.
• Generic formulations may include different excipients than used in the brand-name drug.
  

Starches Found in Medications:

• Corn (most common)
• Potato
• Tapioca
• Wheat
• Modified starch (source not specified)
• Pregelatinized starch (source not specified)
• Pregelatinized modified starch (source not specified)

Starch derivatives:

• Dextrates (source not specified)
• Dextrin (source not specified but usually corn or potato)

Other excipients:

• Dextrimaltose (when barley malt is used)
• Caramel coloring (when barley malt is used)

Resource for checking if medication contains gluten:

Gluten-Free Drugs
List is maintained by pharmacists at Columbus Children’s Hospital

Contains information on:

• ANALGESICS/NONSTEROIDAL
• ANTIBIOTICS/ANTI-INFECTIVES
• ANTIDIARRHEALS
• ANTHISTAMINE/DECONGESTANTS/COUGH/COLD
• ANTIFUNGALS
• ASTHMA/RESPIRATORY
• ENZYMES
• EYE AND EAR PREPARATIONS
• MISCELLANEOUS
• NASAL SPRAYS
• ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES
• ORAL HYPOGLYCEMICS
• VITAMINS AND IRON

The Directory of Drug Manufacturers
The Directory lists all the drug manufacturers in the United States, including brand name, generic, prescription and over the counter. This is the safest way to stay informed. 
Learn more about the directory

References:
Labeling Gluten Risk for Medications, Gerald McEvoy, Pharm. D., Assistant Vice President Drug Information, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

GlutenFreeDrugs.com

 

Last Updated December 6, 2007