Ranitidine

[quirozson]

I recently got my biopsy results back (positive).  In trying to remove all gluten from my home I researched my acid reflux medication.

 

My Ranitidine (issued by Kaiser Permenente in Denver) is a generic tablet made by TEVA.  TEVA and Kaiser have told me that none of the ingredients have gluten but the machines they use process other pills that may contain gluten.  They assured me that the machines were cleaned between batches of medications.  

 

My pharmacist has consulted with a nutritionist who does not think it is a concern.  My fear is that it is a concern but that Kaiser is trying to save themselves money buy only issuing generic drugs from companies they have contracts with.  

 

If anyone has any medical evidence to contradict this advice, please let me know.

 

Thanks!

[mushroom]

I understand your concern, but I doubt that they would flat-out lie to you about this.  Most celiacs can tolerate small gluten exposures, such as residue on shared lines, if any, and the amount of  filler actually contained in a medication is small to start with.  I would at least try the medication (and make sure you eat cleanly when you first start taking it so that you can tell if you react to it.)  I  have always been able to tell if a med. has gluten in it after the first dose and I am not particularly sensitive.  If you do react, then you will have to ask them to accommodate you by getting it filled elsewhere.

[psawyer]

Do I have medical evidence? No.

Does this worry me? No.

Mushroom articulated it well, so I will leave it at that. 

[IrishHeart]

I agree with Shroom and Peter.

 

If it helps, I had to take a med once and it was made was by TEVA pharmaceuticals and I was comfortable with their reply to me via email that it did not contain gluten.

 

Nothing bad happened to me as a result and I'm pretty sensitive. 

[stanleymonkey]

With medication lines they have to wash them down really well between lines. They can't afford to have cross contamination of medications as it could potentially interact with another medication, or kill someone. They have to adhere to much stricter conditions than food manufactures, hence the factory that makes buckles being torn apart because of teeny tiny issue with following the rules.

I wouldn't worry

[quirozson]

I'll keep an eye on it.  Something in my morning routine seems to be giving me slight symptoms.

[stanleymonkey]

Ranitidine can make you feel kind of off, my daughter didn't tolerate it well, she was so sluggish on it