Does Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov site have filters for gluten?

[Jenny (AZ via TX)]

When using daily med to look up prescriptions, is there a way to filter ingredients such as gluten or wheat?  I usually take only a couple of drugs but since I’m having surgery, I have 5 new ones to take for a short time post-op. Thanks!
 

For non prescription drugs, Walgreens has a line called Free&Pure that has gluten free written on the packaging if anyone is interested. 

[Scott Adams]

There isn't because there is currently no gluten-free labeling requirement for prescription medications.

You can search this site for prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication:

To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area.

• https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/ 

 

[Bev in Milw]

Reading labels at dailymed.com is simpler if you’re familiar w/ gluten-free list of inert ingredients (aka ‘excipients’  allowed by FDA.
     www.gluten-free.com has that list & I’ve included It’s below….

Tricky ones for me are the “4 D’s“ because names are similar.

These 2 are gluten-free by ‘legal’ definition—

•Dextrans - Partially hydrolyzed corn or potato starch.

•Dextrose - Powdered corn starch.

Other 2 need to be questioned.
(Maybe ok for isolated 7-10 day Rx,   antibiotic?,  but gluten-free status needs to be verified for long term / daily use for chronic condition, like thyroid or BP meds.)   These are :

•Dextrates - Mix of sugars resulting from the controlled enzymatic hydrolysis of starch.

•Dextrins - Result from the hydrolysis of starch by heat or hydrochloric acid (from corn).  It can also be obtained from wheat, rice or tapioca. 

(Maltodextrin on US labels MUST be corn so gluten-free.)

Technically, ‘Starch’ on USDA ‘food’ labels in US must be from corn, & if not, the source must be identified.  

In drugs,‘ Pregelatinized starch’ & ‘Sodium starch glycolate’ can also be from potato, rice, OR wheat. 

Wheat is more likely to be found in products made outside of US (Europe) where corn is not the major(readily available & least costly) crop. 

   Hope this helps even though  learning sources of some gluten-free ones may make them less appealing. (And while the “Read every label, every time” for gluten is a pain, I’ve learned there are worse things than celiac dx—Allergy to corn would be at top on my list!)          Bev in Milwaukee

From www.gluten-free.com EXCIPIENT INGREDIENTS IN MEDICATIONS 

Aspartame - An artificial sweetening agent derived from aspartic acid.

Aspartic Acid - A crystalline amino acid found naturally in sugar beets and sugar cane. 

Benzyl alcohol - Made synthetically from benzyl chloride which is derived from toluene (a tar oil).

Cellulose - (ethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl, microcrystalline) – Obtained from fibrous plant material (woody pulp or chemical cotton).

Cetyl alcohol - Derived from a fat source (spermaceti, which is a waxy substance from the head of the sperm whale).

Croscarmellose sodium - An internally cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcellulose for use as a disintegrant in pharmaceutical formulations.  Comes from wood pulp or cotton fibers to form carboxymethylcellulose.  It contains no sugar or starch.

Dextrans - Partially hydrolyzed corn or potato starch.

Dextrates - Mix of sugars resulting from the controlled enzymatic hydrolysis of starch.

Dextrins - Result from the hydrolysis of starch by heat or hydrochloric acid (from corn).  It can also be obtained from wheat, rice or tapioca.

Dextrose - Powdered corn starch.

Fructose - Obtained naturally from fruits or honey; hydrolyzed cane or beet sugar.

Gelatin - Obtained from the skin, white connective and bones of animals (by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, bones, etc with water).

Glycerin - Historically, glycerin (also known as glycerol), was made the following ways:

-  Saponification (a type of chemical process) of fats and oils in the manufacturing of soaps

-  Hydrolysis of fats and oils through pressure and superheated steam

-  Fermentation of beet sugar molasses in the presence of large amounts of sodium sulfite

  Today its is made mostly from propylene (a petroleum product)

Glycerols - Obtained from fats and oils as byproducts in the manufacture of soaps and fatty acids (may also be listed as mono-glycerides or di-glycerides).

Glycols - Products of ethylene oxide gas.

Hypromellose – A brand of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (see cellulose).

Iron oxide (rust) - Used as a coloring agent.

Kaolin - A clay-like substance.

Lactilol - Lactose derivative; a sugar alcohol.

Lactose - Also known as milk sugar, is used in the pharmaceutical industry as a filler or binder for the manufacture of coated pills and tablets.   Commercially produced from cow's milk.

Maltodextrins - A starch hydrolysate that is obtained from corn in the United States but can also be extracted from wheat, potato or rice.

Mannitol - Derived from monosaccharides (glucose or mannose).

Methyl Paraben – Comes from the combination of denatured wood alcohol and benzoic acid (benzoic acid occurs naturally in cherry bark, raspberries, tea, anise and cassia bark). 

Polysorbates - Chemically altered sorbitol (a sugar alcohol).

Polyvinyl alcohol – A water soluble synthetic alcohol (synthesized by hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate).

Povidone (crospovidone, copovidone) - synthetic polymers 

Pregelatinized starch - A starch that has been chemically or mechanically processed.  The starch can come from corn, wheat, potato or tapioca.

Shellac - A natural wax product used in tablet or capsule coating.

Sodium lauryl sulfate – A derivative of the fatty acids of coconut oil.

Sodium starch glycolate - Sodium salt of carboxymethyl ether of starch. Usually from potato but can be from corn, wheat or rice.

Stearates (calcium, magnesium) - Derived from stearic acid (a fat; occurs as a glyceride in tallow and other animal fats and oils, as well as some vegetables; prepared synthetically by hydrogenation of cottonseed and other vegetable oils).

Sucrose - Sugar also known as refined sugar, beet sugar or cane sugar.

Titanium dioxide - Chemical not derived from any starch source used as a white pigment. 

Triacetin – A derivative of glycerin (acetylation of glycerol).

Silcon dioxide – A dispersing agent made from silicon.

 

[Jenny (AZ via TX)]

Thank you both so much!

[Scott Adams]

15 hours ago, Bev in Milw said:

Reading labels at dailymed.com is simpler if you’re familiar w/ gluten-free list of inert ingredients (aka ‘excipients’  allowed by FDA.
     www.gluten-free.com has that list & I’ve included It’s below….

Tricky ones for me are the “4 D’s“ because names are similar.

These 2 are gluten-free by ‘legal’ definition—

•Dextrans - Partially hydrolyzed corn or potato starch.

•Dextrose - Powdered corn starch.

Other 2 need to be questioned.
(Maybe ok for isolated 7-10 day Rx,   antibiotic?,  but gluten-free status needs to be verified for long term / daily use for chronic condition, like thyroid or BP meds.)   These are :

•Dextrates - Mix of sugars resulting from the controlled enzymatic hydrolysis of starch.

•Dextrins - Result from the hydrolysis of starch by heat or hydrochloric acid (from corn).  It can also be obtained from wheat, rice or tapioca. 

(Maltodextrin on US labels MUST be corn so gluten-free.)

Technically, ‘Starch’ on USDA ‘food’ labels in US must be from corn, & if not, the source must be identified.  

In drugs,‘ Pregelatinized starch’ & ‘Sodium starch glycolate’ can also be from potato, rice, OR wheat. 

Wheat is more likely to be found in products made outside of US (Europe) where corn is not the major(readily available & least costly) crop. 

   Hope this helps even though  learning sources of some gluten-free ones may make them less appealing. (And while the “Read every label, every time” for gluten is a pain, I’ve learned there are worse things than celiac dx—Allergy to corn would be at top on my list!)          Bev in Milwaukee

From www.gluten-free.com EXCIPIENT INGREDIENTS IN MEDICATIONS 

Aspartame - An artificial sweetening agent derived from aspartic acid.

Aspartic Acid - A crystalline amino acid found naturally in sugar beets and sugar cane. 

Benzyl alcohol - Made synthetically from benzyl chloride which is derived from toluene (a tar oil).

Cellulose - (ethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl, microcrystalline) – Obtained from fibrous plant material (woody pulp or chemical cotton).

Cetyl alcohol - Derived from a fat source (spermaceti, which is a waxy substance from the head of the sperm whale).

Croscarmellose sodium - An internally cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcellulose for use as a disintegrant in pharmaceutical formulations.  Comes from wood pulp or cotton fibers to form carboxymethylcellulose.  It contains no sugar or starch.

Dextrans - Partially hydrolyzed corn or potato starch.

Dextrates - Mix of sugars resulting from the controlled enzymatic hydrolysis of starch.

Dextrins - Result from the hydrolysis of starch by heat or hydrochloric acid (from corn).  It can also be obtained from wheat, rice or tapioca.

Dextrose - Powdered corn starch.

Fructose - Obtained naturally from fruits or honey; hydrolyzed cane or beet sugar.

Gelatin - Obtained from the skin, white connective and bones of animals (by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, bones, etc with water).

Glycerin - Historically, glycerin (also known as glycerol), was made the following ways:

-  Saponification (a type of chemical process) of fats and oils in the manufacturing of soaps

-  Hydrolysis of fats and oils through pressure and superheated steam

-  Fermentation of beet sugar molasses in the presence of large amounts of sodium sulfite

  Today its is made mostly from propylene (a petroleum product)

Glycerols - Obtained from fats and oils as byproducts in the manufacture of soaps and fatty acids (may also be listed as mono-glycerides or di-glycerides).

Glycols - Products of ethylene oxide gas.

Hypromellose – A brand of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (see cellulose).

Iron oxide (rust) - Used as a coloring agent.

Kaolin - A clay-like substance.

Lactilol - Lactose derivative; a sugar alcohol.

Lactose - Also known as milk sugar, is used in the pharmaceutical industry as a filler or binder for the manufacture of coated pills and tablets.   Commercially produced from cow's milk.

Maltodextrins - A starch hydrolysate that is obtained from corn in the United States but can also be extracted from wheat, potato or rice.

Mannitol - Derived from monosaccharides (glucose or mannose).

Methyl Paraben – Comes from the combination of denatured wood alcohol and benzoic acid (benzoic acid occurs naturally in cherry bark, raspberries, tea, anise and cassia bark). 

Polysorbates - Chemically altered sorbitol (a sugar alcohol).

Polyvinyl alcohol – A water soluble synthetic alcohol (synthesized by hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate).

Povidone (crospovidone, copovidone) - synthetic polymers 

Pregelatinized starch - A starch that has been chemically or mechanically processed.  The starch can come from corn, wheat, potato or tapioca.

Shellac - A natural wax product used in tablet or capsule coating.

Sodium lauryl sulfate – A derivative of the fatty acids of coconut oil.

Sodium starch glycolate - Sodium salt of carboxymethyl ether of starch. Usually from potato but can be from corn, wheat or rice.

Stearates (calcium, magnesium) - Derived from stearic acid (a fat; occurs as a glyceride in tallow and other animal fats and oils, as well as some vegetables; prepared synthetically by hydrogenation of cottonseed and other vegetable oils).

Sucrose - Sugar also known as refined sugar, beet sugar or cane sugar.

Titanium dioxide - Chemical not derived from any starch source used as a white pigment. 

Triacetin – A derivative of glycerin (acetylation of glycerol).

Silcon dioxide – A dispersing agent made from silicon.

 

I don't think you have the URL/site address correct, as there is nothing at that site.

[Scott Adams]

PS - I think you meant this site, but I don't believe it has been updated in years:

http://glutenfreedrugs.com/

so it is best to use:

You can search this site for prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication:

To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area.

• https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/ 

 

[Bev in Milw]

On 9/3/2025 at 10:48 AM, Scott Adams said:

I don't think you have the URL/site address correct, as there is nothing at that site.

Scott is correct….Thank you for catching that!  
  
Direct link for info  of fillers.   
http://www.glutenfreedrugs.com/Excipients.htm

Link is on 2nd page  of www.glutenfreedrugs.com   Site was started by a pharmacist (or 2) maybe 15-20 yrs ago with LAST updated in  2017.  This makes it’s Drug List so old that it’s no longer relevant. Companies & contacts, along with suppliers &  sources would need to be referenced, same amount effort  as starting with current data on DailyMed 
    That being said, Excipient List is still be relevant since major changes to product labeling occurred prior ’17.      
    List is the dictionary that sources the ‘foreign-to-us’ terms used on pharmaceutical labels, terms we need to rule out gluten.  

 Note on DailyMed INFO— When you look for a specific drug on DailyMed, notice that nearly all of companies (brands/labels) are flagged as a ‘Repackager’… This would seem to suggest the actual ‘pills’ are being mass produced by a limited number of wholesaler suppliers (esp for older meds out of  patent protection.).  

   If so, multiple repackager-get  bulk shipments  from same supplier will all  be selling identical meds —same formula/fillers. Others repackager-could be switching suppliers  frequently based on cost, or runs both gluten-free & non- items on same lines.  No way to know  without contacting company. 
   While some I know have  searched pharmacies chasing a specific brand, long-term  solution is to find (or teach) pharmacy staff who’s willing help.
   When I got 1st Rx ~8 years ago, I went to Walgreens & said I needed gluten-free.  Walked  out when pharmacist said  ‘How am I supposed  to know…’  (ar least he as honest… ). Walmart pharmacists down the block were ‘No problem!’—Once, they wouldn’t release my Rx, still waiting on gluten-free status from a new supplier.

Re: Timeliness of DailyMed info?  
A serendipitous conversation with cousin in Mi was unexpectedly reassuring.  She works in office of Perrigo, major products of OTC meds (was 1st to add gluten-free labels).  I TOTALLY lucked out when I asked about her job: “TODAY I trained a new full-time employee to make entries to Daily Med.’  Task had grown to hours a day, time she needed for tasks that couldn’t be delegated….We can only hope majorities of companies are as  conscientious!  

For the Newbies…. SOLE  purpose of  fillers (possible gluten) in meds is to  hold the active ingredients together in a doseable form.  Drugs  given by injection or as IV are always gluten-free!  (Sometimes drs can do antibiotics w/ one-time injection rather than 7-10 days of  pills .) Liquid meds (typically for kids)—still read labels, but  could be an a simpler option for some products…

[Scott Adams]

Clearly from what you've said the info on Dailymed is much more up to date than the other site, which hasn't been updated since 2017. The fact that some companies might be repackaging drugs does not mean the info on the ingredients is not correct.