Amoxicillin is it safe?

[Teagan's mom]

Teagan has strep throat.  The doctor talk to the pharmacist and they could not guarantee that her Amoxicillin would be gluten free.  The pharmacist is fairly confident there are no gluten-containing ingredients but cannot be sure.  She is very sensitive and often can be glutened just from cross contamination.  Does anyone have any experience with Amoxicillin glutening their child or themselves?  It is a suspension liquid.  When she gets sick it's for 2 weeks or more I'm not sure if it's worth it.  Any input?

[cyclinglady]

Can your your pharmacist order the TEVA brand?  It has been confirmed to be gluten free by a pharmacist who advocates for celiacs.   You might have to pay cash, but it is usually not expensive.

Most drugs are gluten free and pharmaceutical companies magically were excempt  from the FDA gluten free guidelines (that is another topic......).  Usually they will not guarantee because they want to limit their liability (scum in my opinion).  Sad to have more confidence in food companies like Unilever, Kraft or ConAgra than a pharmaceutical company.  

Here is the gluten-free drug list 2017:

 http://www.glutenfreedrugs.com/newlist.htm

Edited March 3, 2018 by cyclinglady

[Teagan's mom]

Thank you.  The stuff they gave her is from West-Ward.  I have not given it to her yet as I am unable to reach the company.  I'm hoping they'll be open tomorrow.  I will definitely call my Pharmacy and see if they can order from TEVA.  

[kareng]

2 hours ago, Teagan's mom said:

Teagan has strep throat.  The doctor talk to the pharmacist and they could not guarantee that her Amoxicillin would be gluten free.  The pharmacist is fairly confident there are no gluten-containing ingredients but cannot be sure.  She is very sensitive and often can be glutened just from cross contamination.  Does anyone have any experience with Amoxicillin glutening their child or themselves?  It is a suspension liquid.  When she gets sick it's for 2 weeks or more I'm not sure if it's worth it.  Any input?

Almost no drugs actually contain gluten.  There are studies and other info you can find.   The possible side effects of not treating her strep are soooo much worse than the tiny chance that maybe some tiny ingredient was next to gluten.   My high school son had strep for a few days before he said anything.  He had to miss a week of lacrosse and gym because of the potential heart damage.  Don't wait until Monday afternoon to start treating.

 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/strep-throat/symptoms-causes/syc-20350338

"If untreated, strep throat can cause complications, such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can lead to painful and inflamed joints, a specific type of rash or heart valve damage."

Edited March 3, 2018 by kareng

[cyclinglady]

Do you have the package insert?  Look at the ingredients.  I would doubt they would add gluten to the Liquid form.  I found this in the US site and it looks like there is not gluten (last updated 2015).   

Again, most drugs do not gluten.  It is frustrating though how much we have to jump through hoops just to verify.  As long as I have the package insert, I am confident that gluten is not included.   They just do not test but they follow some pretty stringent manufacturing procedures.  

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=d46f1091-33dc-4f8f-9c34-75dcfedb4b4c

[Teagan's mom]

West Ward is safe as of today according to the company.  Unfortunately I found a list that said Sandoz brand was safe so I got a new perscription and gave her that.  Not good.  Talked to the company today and they said some of the ingredients contain wheat.  ?.  This sucks.  Now it will be a 2-3 week ordeal.  Jekell and Hyde behaviors/ belly aches/bed wetting/hitting kids at school.... This stinks!!

[cyclinglady]

Did they specifically say that the Amoxicillin that was prescribed for your daughter had wheat?  Or just that wheat was in the same facility?  I bet you took that off the old pharmacy list that had not been updated in a few years.  I noticed that Sandoz is no longer on the 2017 list,  but perhaps the pharmacist is still trying to verify all those drugs.  That is the impression that I received.  

Can you get the West Ward amoxicillin?  At least reduce the gluten exposure, if there is actually wheat in it.   Maybe the wheat is highly refined.  They use what glucose in Europe (we prefer corn in the U.S.)

Keep us posted.  I do know that Sandoz used to be manufactured in Spain and then moved to Romania.  

[Teagan's mom]

Yes I spoke to the representative at Sandoz and they confirmed that their suppliers report using a wheat product.   West Ward stated they have no gluten and no chance of contamination.  I have her on that now.

[G111]

On 3/3/2018 at 2:01 AM, Teagan's mom said:

Teagan has strep throat.  The doctor talk to the pharmacist and they could not guarantee that her Amoxicillin would be gluten free.  The pharmacist is fairly confident there are no gluten-containing ingredients but cannot be sure.  She is very sensitive and often can be glutened just from cross contamination.  Does anyone have any experience with Amoxicillin glutening their child or themselves?  It is a suspension liquid.  When she gets sick it's for 2 weeks or more I'm not sure if it's worth it.  Any input?

Amoxicillin preparations do not contain lactose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes. For more information you can visit this site: https://www.pipelinepharma.com/amoxicillin-manufacturers