Mucinex & Walmart Brand Mucus Relief

[*lee-lee*]

i got a cold last week and for other allergy reasons, Mucinex is the only OTC medicine i seem to be able to take without a problem. i had a bottle of the regular branded Mucinex and a bottle of the stuff from Walmart, called Mucus Relief Sinus. i emailed both companies to verify gluten content (or lack there of). here are their responses, in case anyone is interested:

Thank you for your email regarding Mucinex

[ravenwoodglass]

What the Mucinex folks are telling you is that while they don't test for gluten they use ingredients that as far as they know are gluten free. Just because a company won't certify doesn't mean an item is not safe, just that they can't certify that it is without testing. If you haven't had any problems with the item it is most likely safe.

[lyceum]

I think it might not just be CYA... I'm not celiac, but I am allergic to wheat, with pretty immediate and unambiguous symptoms. I was fine with Mucinex when it was produced by Adams Respiratory. But I see now the packaging has changed, and it's made by Reckitt Benckiser. Both companies included 'sodium starch glycolate' as the last of the inactive ingredients... and apparently that can be sourced from corn, potatoes or wheat.

Anyway, I caught a cold and started taking Mucinex from the new box... and am now distinctly getting a reaction. Fortunately, I can combat it a bit with an anti-histamine, but of possible things to have suddenly switch to the dark side, extended-time release medicines are not my favorite pick.

I'm happy to hear the walmart brand still calls itself gluten-free, mucinex has been handy and I'd hate to have to abandon it entirely.

[Roda]

I took one yesterday and didn't even give it thought to check if the mucinex D was gluten free. I did not have any problems with it at all.