Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Is This Gluten Free? Can't Find Any Info!

pretty in paleo

Recommended Posts

pretty in paleo Apprentice
pretty in paleo
Posted

Ok so I was given the medication metronidazole, this particular one is manufactured by Teva. My doctor and her assistant both tried to look it up for me and neither could find anything on it. The pharmacist was clueless. She did offer to call the company, but it was closing time on Friday so we didn't think anyone would answer. I am so frustrated! It happens like every time I go see the doctor for the most simple issue. There are lists of gluten-free meds online I know, but this wasn't on the list, does that just mean it wasn't available on the market at the time the list was last updated? So tired of this, thanks everyone for reading and hopefully I can get some insight. :)

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Adalaide Mentor
Adalaide
Posted

I always call the manufacturer myself. Teva is very good about answering their phone and having readily available information. I joke sometimes that I have more pharmaceutical companies in my phone as contacts than anything else. You'll need identifying information from the pills, which the pharmacist can give you. There is a number on the box the pharmacist gets (I forget what it's called but they'll know what you're talking about) which the manufacturer needs to be sure you're talking about the same pill and/or same batch. Without that number, or if you have already filled the prescription you can simply give them a description of the pill.

 

Teva's customer service number is 800-545-8800 and I'm sure they'll be happy to help you first thing Monday. If you call know you may be able to find out how early they open.

 

FWIW I never fill a prescription until I have spoken on the phone with a representative from the manufacturer. Many of them are really easy to get into contact with. I also am more than willing to use an alternate pharmacy if I can't get in touch with someone or can't take something from a particular pharmacy. It is way less hassle to call a second (or third) pharmacy and ask which manufacturer they use rather than call the doctor and mess around with trying to use an alternate drug.

GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

The inactive ingredients are:

 

CELLULOSE, MICROCRYSTALLINE

SILICON DIOXIDE

CROSPOVIDONE

HYDROGENATED COTTONSEED OIL

 

These are gluten free.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Colleen

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

I always call the manufacturer myself. Teva is very good about answering their phone and having readily available information. I joke sometimes that I have more pharmaceutical companies in my phone as contacts than anything else. You'll need identifying information from the pills, which the pharmacist can give you. There is a number on the box the pharmacist gets (I forget what it's called but they'll know what you're talking about) which the manufacturer needs to be sure you're talking about the same pill and/or same batch. Without that number, or if you have already filled the prescription you can simply give them a description of the pill.

 

Teva's customer service number is 800-545-8800 and I'm sure they'll be happy to help you first thing Monday. If you call know you may be able to find out how early they open.

 

FWIW I never fill a prescription until I have spoken on the phone with a representative from the manufacturer. Many of them are really easy to get into contact with. I also am more than willing to use an alternate pharmacy if I can't get in touch with someone or can't take something from a particular pharmacy. It is way less hassle to call a second (or third) pharmacy and ask which manufacturer they use rather than call the doctor and mess around with trying to use an alternate drug.

 

 

I am wondering.  Have you ever found any that actually had a gluten ingredient?  Not just a company that won't say something is gluten-free because they don't test it, etc.  It seems to me that most medication does not contain gluten but I haven't dealt with that many medications orcould get a  labeled gluten-free one so I didn't' ask about the other brand.

Adalaide Mentor
Adalaide
Posted

There are a few manufacturers that I am unable to contact due to not having a number I am able to call in the US. I don't have time to waste emailing someone halfway around the world when there are manufacturers in the US that I can actually talk to the same day. I've had 2 that the manufacturer told me may contain gluten (one of these was a gel capsule that I actually filled like a moron and which taught me my lesson, the other I never saw) and 1 that had a filler sourced from wheat that I simply preferred not to take when I had other options. I ask two questions, the first is whether or not it is gluten free and the second is whether or not it has any ingredients sourced from wheat. There is also a manufacturer in the US who simply has on their recorded message that they do not answer questions about ingredients in their medications concerning allergens because apparently their a bunch of jerks. My preference if I can get it is always Apotex because they're a gluten free manufacturer.

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

There are a few manufacturers that I am unable to contact due to not having a number I am able to call in the US. I don't have time to waste emailing someone halfway around the world when there are manufacturers in the US that I can actually talk to the same day. I've had 2 that the manufacturer told me may contain gluten (one of these was a gel capsule that I actually filled like a moron and which taught me my lesson, the other I never saw) and 1 that had a filler sourced from wheat that I simply preferred not to take when I had other options. I ask two questions, the first is whether or not it is gluten free and the second is whether or not it has any ingredients sourced from wheat. There is also a manufacturer in the US who simply has on their recorded message that they do not answer questions about ingredients in their medications concerning allergens because apparently their a bunch of jerks. My preference if I can get it is always Apotex because they're a gluten free manufacturer.

 

Thanks.  I agree with the foreign companies and the company of jerks.  I had heard that gel capsules could be an issue, but I haven't had any experience with that.  I

notme Experienced
notme
Posted

my b.p. meds are in a starch capsule that the pharmceutical company couldn't identify the starch, so i undo the capsule and just eat the powder inside.  it was the only thing on my food journal which was different - noticed it when i ran out and didn't eat it for a few days i felt better.  it also could have been an issue with 'red', which i am sensitive to red food dye.  either way, the next time i had the script refilled, there was a new warning sticker "may remove from capsule and sprinkle onto applesauce.  do not chew powder"  so i must not have been the only one with issues with the capsule part.  other than that, i have found that most drugs are ok (gluten-free).  :)

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


pretty in paleo Apprentice
pretty in paleo
Posted
  • Author

Thanks everyone. I am just being extremely cautious right now. Twice I have had a doctor tell me something was gluten-free or allergen free, only to get Super sick as soon as I took the meds! I'm going to call Teva next week and see whats up.

pretty in paleo Apprentice
pretty in paleo
Posted
  • Author

The inactive ingredients are:

 

CELLULOSE, MICROCRYSTALLINE

SILICON DIOXIDE

CROSPOVIDONE

HYDROGENATED COTTONSEED OIL

 

These are gluten free.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Colleen

Thanks. But don't I have to look at the active ingredients too?

GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

The active ingredient is the chemical (medicine).  The inactive ingredients is where there would be gluten, used as a filler.

 

Colleen

notme Experienced
notme
Posted

Open Original Shared Link

GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

Open Original Shared Link

I read that when I researched the ingredients.  To the OP, I would recommend weighing the pros and cons with that one.

 

Colleen

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

When I had to take a med short term, the spokesperson at TEVA pharmaceuticals told me that all meds manufactured and distributed by TEVA in the US are gluten free. 

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

When I had to take a med short term, the spokesperson at TEVA pharmaceuticals told me that all meds manufactured and distributed by TEVA in the US are gluten free. 

I will second the gluten-free status of any TEVA product in the US.  They are an Israeli company and they are the one company I trust.  They were the easiest ones to deal with in trying to verify gluten-free status of a medication.  I used their Z-Pak antibiotic a few times and never had a problem. I am very sensitive to trace amounts of gluten so trust this company.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Wheatwacked
      - Wheatwacked replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      22

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      That is the goal, after all.
    2. Wheatwacked
      - Wheatwacked replied to Heatherisle's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      34

      Blood results

      Celiac Disease causes more vitamin D deficiency than the general population because of limited UV sunlight in the winter and the little available from food is not absorbed well in the damaged small intestine. Taking 10,000 IU a day (250 mcg) a day broke my depression. Taking it for eleven years. Doctor recently said to not stop. My 25(OH)D is around 2...
    3. Known1
      - Known1 replied to xxnonamexx's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      6

      FDA looking for input on Celiac Gluten sensitivity labeling PLEASE READ and submit your suggestions

      Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I respectfully disagree. You cherry picked a small section from the page. I will do the same below: The agency is seeking information on adverse reactions due to “ingredients of interest” (i.e., non-wheat gluten containing grains (GCGs) which are rye and barley, and oats due to cross-contact with GCGs) and on ...
    4. Wheatwacked
      - Wheatwacked replied to catnapt's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      31

      results from 13 day gluten challenge - does this mean I can't have celiac?

      Here is a link to the spreadsheet I kept to track my nutrition intakes. Maybe it will give you ideas. It is not https so browsers may flag a security warning. There is nothing to send or receive. http://doodlesnotes.net/index3.html I tracked everything I ate, used the National Nutrition Database https://www.foodrisk.org/resources/display/...
    5. Wheatwacked
      - Wheatwacked replied to catnapt's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      31

      results from 13 day gluten challenge - does this mean I can't have celiac?

      Hello @catnapt, That's so true. Every person with Celiac Disease has different symptoms. There are over 200 that it mimics. Too many still believe that it is only a childhood disease you outgrow. Or it's psychosomatic or simply a fad. Idiots. It's easy to get angry at all of them. You just have to pick at the answers until you find...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,411
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    EBeloved
    Newest Member
    EBeloved
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Wheatwacked
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      That is the goal, after all.  
    • Wheatwacked
      Blood results

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Celiac Disease causes more vitamin D deficiency than the general population because of limited UV sunlight in the winter and the little available from food is not absorbed well in the damaged small intestine.  Taking 10,000 IU a day (250 mcg) a day broke my depression. Taking it for eleven years.  Doctor recently said to not stop.  My 25(OH)D is around 200 nmol/L (80 ng/ml) but it took about six years to get there.  Increasing vitamin D also increases absorption of Calcium. A good start is 100-gram (3.5-ounce) serving of salmon,  vitamin D from 7.5 to 25 mcg (300 to 1,000 IU) but it is going to take additional vitamin D supplement to be effective.  More importantly salmon has an omega-6 to omega-3 ratio 1:10 anti-inflammatory compared to the 15:1 infammatory ratio of the typical Western diet. Vitamin D and Depression: Where is all the Sunshine?
    • Known1
      FDA looking for input on Celiac Gluten sensitivity labeling PLEASE READ and submit your suggestions

      By Known1 · Posted

      Thank you for sharing your thoughts.  I respectfully disagree.  You cherry picked a small section from the page.  I will do the same below: The agency is seeking information on adverse reactions due to “ingredients of interest” (i.e., non-wheat gluten containing grains (GCGs) which are rye and barley, and oats due to cross-contact with GCGs) and on labeling issues or concerns with identifying these “ingredients of interest” on packaged food products in the U.S. “People with celiac disease or gluten sensitives have had to tiptoe around food, and are often forced to guess about their food options,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. “We encourage all stakeholders to share their experiences and data to help us develop policies that will better protect Americans and support healthy food choices.” --- end quote Anyone with celiac disease is clearly a stakeholder.  The FDA is encouraging us to share our experiences along with any data to help develop future "policies that will better protect Americans and support healthy food choices".  I see this as our chance to speak up or forever hold our peace.  Like those that do not participate in elections, they are not allowed to complain.  The way I see it, if we do not participate in this request for public comment/feedback, then we should also not complain when we get ill from something labeled gluten-free. Have a blessed day ahead, Known1
    • Wheatwacked
      results from 13 day gluten challenge - does this mean I can't have celiac?

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Here is a link to the spreadsheet I kept to track my nutrition intakes.  Maybe it will give you ideas. It is not https so browsers may flag a security warning. There is nothing to send or receive. http://doodlesnotes.net/index3.html I tracked everything I ate, used the National Nutrition Database https://www.foodrisk.org/resources/display/41 to add up my daily intake and supplemented appropriately.  It tracks about 30 nutrients at once.
    • Wheatwacked
      results from 13 day gluten challenge - does this mean I can't have celiac?

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Hello @catnapt, That's so true.  Every person with Celiac Disease has different symptoms.  There are over 200 that it mimics.  Too many still believe that it is only a childhood disease you outgrow.  Or it's psychosomatic or simply a fad.  Idiots.  It's easy to get angry at all of them.   You just have to pick at the answers until you find the ones that work for you.  I too suffer from not being able to take the drugs that work for "everyone else".  SSRIs make me twitch ane feel like toothpicks are holding my eye open, ARBs cripple me.  Statins cause me intestinal Psuedo Obstruction.  Espresso puts me to sleep.  I counted 19 different symptoms that improved from GFD and dealing with my nutritional defecits.  I couldn't breath through my mouth until I started GFD at 64 years old.   My son was born with celiac disease, biopsy diagnosed at weaning.   So why are we the one-percenters.  Why, after being silent for so long, does it suddenly flare? There is the possibility that you have both Celiac Disease and Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity.  NCGS was not established as a diagnosis until 1980.  NCGS is diagnost by first elimating Celiac Disease as the cause, and showing improvement on GFD.  Nothing says you can't have symptoms from both.  Wheatbelly: Total Nutrition by Dr. Davis was helpful to me. We come to the forum to share what we've learned in dealing with our own symptoms.  Maybe this will help someone. Speaking of which if you don't mind; what is your 25(OH)D vitamin D blood level?  You mentioned a mysterious Calcium issue. Vitamin D, Calcium and Iodine are closely interactive. It is not uncommon for postmenopausal women to have insufficient intake of Iodine.   (RDA): Average daily level of intake sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97%–98%) healthy individuals; often used to plan nutritionally adequate diets for individuals You are a one-percenter.  You may need higher intake of some essential nutrient supplements to speed up repairing the damages.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.