Gluten intolerance affects millions of people. What's worse is that a lot of the people that are gluten intolerant don't know it and continue to suffer the adverse reactions from eating gluten, such as fatigue. If you are gluten intolerant, unfortunately there are more things than just ingredients you need to pay attention to, as many medications also contain gluten.
If you go to any pharmacy, chances are you will be surrounded by medications that have gluten as an ingredient, unlike the gluten free medications that you may need under your doctor prescribed gluten free diet. Vitamins, tablets, capsules and liquid medications may all contain gluten.
If you are gluten intolerant ask your doctor to make sure he prescribes you medication that is gluten free. If you are uncertain as to whether or not you are gluten intolerant, simply ask your doctor.
Why Are Glutens Used In Many Medications?
Glutens are added to medications because they are useful as fillers and as a substance that will either hold the medication together (binder) or thicken it. You can also find gluten containing ingredients being used to coat the pills, to mask the flavor or scent or as an ingredient that will increase the stability of the medication.
If you have been prescribed a gluten free diet, you should be aware that the gluten products contained in these medications could cause irritation and the symptoms that you are trying to avoid.
Ask Your Pharmacist
If you are in doubt about the ingredients in any medication, inform your pharmacist of your special dietary need for gluten free medications and ask the pharmacist about the entire list of ingredients that go into any of your medications. If you are buying drugs as an over the counter medication, read the entire label carefully so you can determine whether or not there is any gluten contained in the formula.
Gluten Medication Ingredients to Look Out For
Examples of the names for gluten ingredients that are used in the manufacture of medications include:
* Detrates
* Dextrins
* Maltodextrins
* Pregelatinized starch
* Sodium starch glycol ate
You will need to ask your pharmacist about any other possible names that are used for gluten based ingredients in your prescribed and over the counter medications because there are more than the common ones listed above.
If you are gluten intolerant you will be best served by becoming informed about the names that are used to identify the glutens in medications. Despite the fact that many drug manufacturers use gluten ingredients in their formulas, there are also many drug manufacturers who are aware of the growing number of people who need to have gluten free medications. As a result there are many prescription and over the counter medications that do not use gluten products.
