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

Ignorant Pharmacist

Eddierickles

Recommended Posts

Eddierickles Newbie
Eddierickles
Posted

I picked up my prescription at Walgreens yesterday.  I informed the pharmacist that I have celiac disease and need to make sure the pills do not contain gluten.  She checked with the manufacturer and said that it DOES contain gluten, but "it is a small amount and a small pill", and that I "wouldn't even feel it."  (I have to take these pills up to 4x daily) She also said it is almost impossible to find a pill without a small amount of gluten. I was shocked.  This is coming from a professional pharmacist.

 

Needless to say I am reluctant to even try the pills to see if I will "feel" the gluten.

 

Please advise.  Thanks!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Pharmacists have no idea. You should contact the manufacturer. A lot of them will not want to say they are gluten-free because they don't test them. I just make sure they have no obvious gluten ingredients. That said, there are very few meds that actually have gluten.

There is a website - glutenfreedrugs.com Which lists some meds. You might check there.

Eddierickles Newbie
Eddierickles
Posted
  • Author

Pharmacists have no idea. You should contact the manufacturer. A lot of them will not want to say they are gluten-free because they don't test them. I just make sure they have no obvious gluten ingredients. That said, there are very few meds that actually have gluten.

There is a website - glutenfreedrugs.com Which lists some meds. You might check there.

Thanks for the reply.  The pharmacist already contacted the manufacturer and they confirmed the pill does contain gluten.  My question is:  is it such a small amount (under 20 ppm?) that it won't cause symptoms or damage?

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Thanks for the reply. The pharmacist already contacted the manufacturer and they confirmed the pill does contain gluten. My question is: is it such a small amount (under 20 ppm?) that it won't cause symptoms or damage?

I wouldn't trust the pharmacist. I bet he got a CYA statement like I mentioned. You need to check these things yourself before you pick up the medications to be safe. But, that is my advice & how I do it... You may do as you wish.

Adalaide Mentor
Adalaide
Posted

I agree with Karen. The pharmacist is probably a complete moron and has no actual clue what the actual heck they are talking about. Call the manufacturer yourself on Tuesday and see what they say. It is extremely rare for a pill to contain gluten, but almost all manufacturers will say something along the lines of "we don't actually test for it so while it doesn't contain any gluten ingredients we won't say it's actually gluten free blah blah blah" which is what we all refer to as a CYA statement. These drugs are perfectly safe to take. Keep in mind, a significant number of people (pharmacists included, I've had one I dealt with) think gluten and glucose are the same thing. Don't ask me how a pharmacist could possibly think that, but I've seen it happen.

Wi11ow Apprentice
Wi11ow
Posted

This is good info to know. I asked my pharmacist last week. He looked them all up. Told me there were no ingredients that contained gluten. That they were mostly found in the capsules. Mine are all tablets. He really seemed to understand. But he also gave me manufactures numbers. I'm taking enough I guess I really need to call and find out - thanks

Georgia-guy Enthusiast
Georgia-guy
Posted

He really seemed to understand. But he also gave me manufactures numbers. I'm taking enough I guess I really need to call and find out - thanks

Wi11ow, it's nice to know there are some medical professionals that do seem to know, and aren't too cocky to give you the manufacturer's numbers without you asking. I have a cocktail of drugs I cannot take, and recently moved all my Rx to a new pharmacy because they handed me a Rx that was straight up I couldn't take...then refused to do anything like give me my $25 copay back when I was still standing at the counter (I did not realize they switched it from brand name to generic when I signed and paid). Then I have had a doctor try to give me a shot that the last time I got that Rx he had to call 911 as I started having severe cardiac issues. That doc is no longer one I see or recommend, and the state medical board and the large practice he works for that has 8 hospitals got a nice letter from me which they appreciated. Which brings up the question, does anyone know if Tylenol's Rx Acetaminophen, Vimovo, or injected steroids contain gluten?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Wi11ow Apprentice
Wi11ow
Posted

Wi11ow, it's nice to know there are some medical professionals that do seem to know, and aren't too cocky to give you the manufacturer's numbers without you asking. I have a cocktail of drugs I cannot take, and recently moved all my Rx to a new pharmacy because they handed me a Rx that was straight up I couldn't take...then refused to do anything like give me my $25 copay back when I was still standing at the counter (I did not realize they switched it from brand name to generic when I signed and paid). Then I have had a doctor try to give me a shot that the last time I got that Rx he had to call 911 as I started having severe cardiac issues. That doc is no longer one I see or recommend, and the state medical board and the large practice he works for that has 8 hospitals got a nice letter from me which they appreciated. Which brings up the question, does anyone know if Tylenol's Rx Acetaminophen, Vimovo, or injected steroids contain gluten?

Holy Cow!! How do you ever trust anyone??!?

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Wi11ow, it's nice to know there are some medical professionals that do seem to know, and aren't too cocky to give you the manufacturer's numbers without you asking. I have a cocktail of drugs I cannot take, and recently moved all my Rx to a new pharmacy because they handed me a Rx that was straight up I couldn't take...then refused to do anything like give me my $25 copay back when I was still standing at the counter (I did not realize they switched it from brand name to generic when I signed and paid). Then I have had a doctor try to give me a shot that the last time I got that Rx he had to call 911 as I started having severe cardiac issues. That doc is no longer one I see or recommend, and the state medical board and the large practice he works for that has 8 hospitals got a nice letter from me which they appreciated. Which brings up the question, does anyone know if Tylenol's Rx Acetaminophen, Vimovo, or injected steroids contain gluten?

I can't find the link right now...but gluten is not used in injections, IVs etc.

Did you check the gluten-free drug site? I think the Rx Tylenol was gluten-free before. Your pharmacy may give you a generic. Before you pick it up, find out what company makes it. I have had some luck with googling companies and actually finding the info on line. But some have CYA statements because they don't test for gluten but use no gluten ingredients.

treesahope Newbie
treesahope
Posted

I need to call the manufacturer every time I get a new RX.  I had to take a med, and investigated it down to the manufacturer, but the ingredients the manufacturer buys are processed at yet another place and from there I lost my trail of securing my pill was gluten free.  It was the anti-acid purple pill.  I was so ill with inflammation due to gluten from one of the two pills I was taking, I had pain in my joints for the first time ever.  It depends how badly you need the RX to take the risk, I am next going to a compounding Pharmacy to get a safer liquid form or injection of meds if I need them in the future.  Sorry, Pharmacists don't require a Celiac class (YET).  As more of "us" come out of the woodworks, newer measures will and should come to be.  Yes we have an interesting life checking for Gluten, have you made sure your shampoo is gluten free. ;)  uuugggh I know right!

africanqueen99 Contributor
africanqueen99
Posted

Maybe I'm just lucky, but we use CVS for our pharmacy and the pharmacist hands me the box that the medication comes in (without the medication in it, of course) and I stand there and call the manufacturer with the appropriate codes.  My kids' notes say they can't have gluten and I just explain that our entire house is gluten-free.  It's never been an issue.

 

I own these decisions for myself and don't ask the pharmacist about a manufacturer's formulation - which changes.  I also don't think it's fair to call someone a moron or ignorant for not knowing something they're not trained to know.

Eddierickles Newbie
Eddierickles
Posted
  • Author

Everyone is saying to check with the manufacturer.  My pharmacist checked with the manufacturer. (OP)  The manufacturer admitted the pills contain gluten.  So, what the replies are saying, is, maybe the pharmacist and the manufacturer are wrong?

 

I will call the manufacturer on Tuesday myself and scrutinize each ingredient.

africanqueen99 Contributor
africanqueen99
Posted

^^^ And I'm just saying that I wouldn't trust that information coming from anybody but the manufacturer TO ME.  If the manufacturer says there is gluten in it then find a different medication or have it made at a compounding pharmacy.  As mentioned earlier, they often have a CYA statement that won't say gluten free, but will say there are no gluten ingredients.  For me, that's good enough.

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

^^^ And I'm just saying that I wouldn't trust that information coming from anybody but the manufacturer TO ME.  If the manufacturer says there is gluten in it then find a different medication or have it made at a compounding pharmacy.  As mentioned earlier, they often have a CYA statement that won't say gluten free, but will say there are no gluten ingredients.  For me, that's good enough.

 

 

Ditto   :)

Georgia-guy Enthusiast
Georgia-guy
Posted

I can't find the link right now...but gluten is not used in injections, IVs etc.

Did you check the gluten-free drug site? I think the Rx Tylenol was gluten-free before. Your pharmacy may give you a generic. Before you pick it up, find out what company makes it. I have had some luck with googling companies and actually finding the info on line. But some have CYA statements because they don't test for gluten but use no gluten ingredients.

I have checked, but it's been a few years and I can remember the exact pill info it was. I know that it was a straight acetaminophen pill (as in not mixed with Codeine etc) which is why the doc said it was the acetaminophen I was reacting to. The reaction to that has had me scared to take any painkillers. The funny thing is, I was given the Rx for pain I now believe is related to gluten.

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

I have checked, but it's been a few years and I can remember the exact pill info it was. I know that it was a straight acetaminophen pill (as in not mixed with Codeine etc) which is why the doc said it was the acetaminophen I was reacting to. The reaction to that has had me scared to take any painkillers. The funny thing is, I was given the Rx for pain I now believe is related to gluten.

Tylenol with codeine is listed as gluten-free.

Georgia-guy Enthusiast
Georgia-guy
Posted

Tylenol with codeine is listed as gluten-free.

This one wasn't mixed, it was straight acetaminophen. I'm not thinking it was gluten though because my reaction was nothing like when I eat gluten.

Austin Guy Contributor
Austin Guy
Posted

For drug info check out Open Original Shared Link.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,996
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Naner4
    Newest Member
    Naner4
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Nicotine Gum For Gluten Symptoms.. Am I Crazy?

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @sleuth, Has your son been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  All of those symptoms can be caused by malnutrition.  I had severe malnutrition that went unrecognized by my doctors.  Intense fatigue, brain fog, depression, anxiety, and gastrointestinal distress are symptoms of deficiencies in the eight essential B vitamins, especially Thiamine B1, which becomes low first because the demand is higher when we're sick.     Celiac Disease causes inflammation and damage of the intestinal lining which inhibits absorption of essential nutrients.  Checking for nutritional deficiencies is part of proper follow up care for people with celiac disease.   Is your son taking any vitamin supplements?  Most supplements contain thiamine mononitrate which in not readily absorbed and utilized by the body.  Benfotiamine is a form of thiamine that is shown to promote intestinal healing.  Benfotiamine is available over the counter.  Benfotiamine is safe and nontoxic.   Is your son eating processed gluten-free foods?  Gluten-free processed foods are not required to be enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.   Is your son following a low histamine diet?  Histamine is released as part of the immune response to gluten and other foods high in histamine.  High levels of histamine in the brain can cause anxiety, insomnia, and depression.  The body needs the B vitamins to make the enzyme Diamine Oxidase (DAO) to break down and clear histamine.  DAO supplements are available over the counter.  Vitamin C helps clear histamine as well.  Some people find over the counter antihistamines helpful as well, but they're not for long term use.   Nicotine has antihistamine-like properties, but can also irritate the gut.  Tobacco, from which nicotine is derived, is a nightshade (like tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplant).  Nightshades contain alkaloids which affect gastrointestinal permeability, causing leaky gut syndrome.  Nicotine can cause gastrointestinal irritation and alter for the worse the microbiome. Safer alternatives to Nicotine that have antihistamine properties include Lemon Balm (Sweet Melissa),  Passion Flower, Chamomile, and Bilberry.  They can be taken as supplements, extracts, or tea.  These will help with the anxiety, insomnia and depression in a much safer way. Oolong tea is also helpful.  Oolong tea contains the amino acid L-Theanine which helps the digestive tract heal.  (L -Theanine supplements are available over the counter, if not a tea drinker.)  Tryptophan, a form of Niacin B3, also helps calm digestive symptoms.  Another amino acid, L-Lysine, can help with anxiety and depression.  I've used these for years without problems.   What ways to cope have you tried in the past?
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free nuts

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      They are a sponsor here, and I did noticed a free shipping coupon: GFships
    • Scott Adams
      Aldi Pueblo Lindo Yellow Corn Tortillas

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In general if it is labelled gluten-free then it should be ok for most celiacs, however, those who are super sensitive (which is most who have dermatitis herpetiformis) may want to eat only certified gluten-free items, which are supposed to test down to 10ppm (but don't always!).
    • Wheatwacked
      Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis has taken Me from Me

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Have faith, you will survive. I get mine from Pipingrock.com.  500 capsules of 10,000 IU for $22.  That is almost two years worth for me.  250 caps 5000 IU for $6.69 if you only take 5,000 a day.  It's like half the price of Walmart.
    • Wheatwacked
      Outgrow celiac?

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Testing can't alone be trusted.  Else why would it take so many years of testing and retesting and misdiagnosis to finally be told, yes you have Celiac Disease. As to what to eat, I like pre 1950 style food.  Before the advent of TV dinners.  Fresh food is better for you, and cooking from scratch is cheaper.  Watch Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Meals for how to cook.  Keep in mind that she is not gluten free, but her techniques are awesome.  Just use something else instead of wheat, barley, rye. Dr Fuhrman is a ex cardiologist.  His book Eat to Live and Dr Davis' book Wheatbelly were instrumental in my survival.
×
×
  • 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.