Cipro Beware

[Joni63]

Hey all,

I just found out the hard way that Cipro made by Bayer Schering Plow is not gluten free. Also the one made by Cobalt is NOT gluten-free either. Bayer confirmed via phone call and Cobalt via phone call and email.

Please beware if you are prescribed these meds.

Is there a medication list published some place? I have an ear infection and will need something safe.

Thanks!

[happygirl]

www.glutenfreedrugs.com

You may want to contact the owner of that site, and provide him with info on your phone call/email, since they have Cipro listed as gluten free.

[blueeyedmanda]

Thank you for the Heads Up!

[Joni63]

www.glutenfreedrugs.com

You may want to contact the owner of that site, and provide him with info on your phone call/email, since they have Cipro listed as gluten free.

Thank you happygirl. I will let that administrator of that site know!

Thank you for the Heads Up!

Your welcome blueeyedmanda!

[Takala]

Another step backwards for mankind, to put an allergen in an antibiotic that is the only effective treatment and other wise could be tolerated for many individuals.

[Joni63]

I totally agree with you!

This is the antibiotic that got me through pneumonia 2 years ago. Nothing else worked for me.

It also caused my first real meltdown since my diagnosis. I have not cried that hard in a looooong time. Now I'm wondering what the heck I can take to get rid of my ear infection.

The doctors response - just stop taking it and call back in a couple days if you don't feel better.

I'm wondering if a compounding pharmacy can make it without the wheat starch? I have one locally that is really good. I'm going to check with them tomorrow.

[jerseyangel]

II'm wondering if a compounding pharmacy can make it without the wheat starch? I have one locally that is really good. I'm going to check with them tomorrow.

I'll bet they can. Hope you feel better soon

[Joni63]

Thank you Patti!

[blueeyedmanda]

Another step backwards for mankind, to put an allergen in an antibiotic that is the only effective treatment and other wise could be tolerated for many individuals.

Yep, cause I have a deathly allergic reaction to pennicilin.....so there are quite a few meds I cannot have.

[Morrisun]

You know it still really boggles my mind that they put WHEAT in medications. It seems to me there are so many other less allergenic fillers that could be used.

[blueeyedmanda]

You know it still really boggles my mind that they put WHEAT in medications. It seems to me there are so many other less allergenic fillers that could be used.

it makes you wonder what the purpose it has being in the meds?? Mind Boggling!

[Joni63]

Apparently they used to make it with corn starch.

I called the pharmacist today and she said she would have to look into ordering the Cipro ingredients and then compounding it. She also said Levequin (sp?) or Avalox might be worth checking into to see if they are gluten free.

She also said they used to make a liquid suspension Cipro that they discontinued. The taste was so horrible and nothing could mask the bitterness of it. Sounds terrible, not an option I want to persue.

[blueeyedmanda]

She also said they used to make a liquid suspension Cipro that they discontinued. The taste was so horrible and nothing could mask the bitterness of it. Sounds terrible, not an option I want to persue.

I dont blame you there.

[dlp252]

Aw Joni, this sucks!!! I sure hope the compounding pharmacy can get all the ingredients they need to make it for you!

[num1habsfan]

I wonder if this is the case for in Canada too. I've always had problems with Cipro but i have a million allergies it seems so I never knew if gluten was the problem. I can't remember which ones aren't gluten-free here that they tell me I have no alternative. Wheat is cheap, must be their reason for using it all the damn time.

~ Lisa ~

[Joni63]

I dont blame you there.

Can you imagine what that stuff must taste like? No way!!!

Aw Joni, this sucks!!! I sure hope the compounding pharmacy can get all the ingredients they need to make it for you!

They could get it, but it would take at least a week. So I decided to call Shoprites Pharmacy. The pharmacist was so nice and offered to call the Cipro manufacturer they used. She told me is was made by Dr. Reddings Laboratories. Sounded a little scary so I looked it up online, found a number and called them. They told me their Cipro is gluten free. When I called the pharmacist back she told me the exact same thing. All I need to do is get my Doctor to call in the script to her. This has been a very interesting experience. It's so hard to believe that 3 different pharmacies within 1/2 mile of each other use so many different companies for their medicines. I guess it pays to be persistent!!!

I wonder if this is the case for in Canada too. I've always had problems with Cipro but i have a million allergies it seems so I never knew if gluten was the problem. I can't remember which ones aren't gluten-free here that they tell me I have no alternative. Wheat is cheap, must be their reason for using it all the damn time.

~ Lisa ~

I don't know, but it would be worth checking into. Seems the pharmacists don't really have all the information they need about this at thier fingertips. Calling the drug manufacturer is the only way to find out for sure. Maybe you could also try a few different pharmacies. It amazes me how many pharmaceutical companies there are and how their fomulas can vary.

I'm sure they use wheat because it is cheap. Profit is always the bottom line.

[jerseyangel]

Joni--

So glad you ended up finding a Cipro that was safe.....I'll never understand the thinking behind adding a top allergen to a medication Boggles the mind.

[num1habsfan]

I don't know, but it would be worth checking into. Seems the pharmacists don't really have all the information they need about this at thier fingertips. Calling the drug manufacturer is the only way to find out for sure. Maybe you could also try a few different pharmacies. It amazes me how many pharmaceutical companies there are and how their fomulas can vary.

I'm sure they use wheat because it is cheap. Profit is always the bottom line.

I wish there was pharmacy choices. I still get all my meds in my hometown, and there is 2 pharmacies, both run by the same person, so not really any other options . Small towns sure have their disadvantages!!

~ Lisa ~

[Joni63]

Joni--

So glad you ended up finding a Cipro that was safe.....I'll never understand the thinking behind adding a top allergen to a medication Boggles the mind.

I'm glad too. It was a relief to find it.

I think it's terrible that they add a top allergen, but it's horrible that the pharmacists can't even tell you if the medicine is safe. Manufacturers of food or medicine should not be allowed to swap ingredients that contain allergens. It should not be a guessing game for us. I can see them changing other ingredients, but not the obvious ones that will put peoples health at risk.

[Joni63]

I wish there was pharmacy choices. I still get all my meds in my hometown, and there is 2 pharmacies, both run by the same person, so not really any other options . Small towns sure have their disadvantages!!

~ Lisa ~

Even though you only have 2 pharmacies in your home town, can't you choose to check with and use other pharmacies if they give you better options?

[dlp252]

I think it's terrible that they add a top allergen, but it's horrible that the pharmacists can't even tell you if the medicine is safe. Manufacturers of food or medicine should not be allowed to swap ingredients that contain allergens. It should not be a guessing game for us. I can see them changing other ingredients, but not the obvious ones that will put peoples health at risk.

I'm glad you were able to find one that was safe. I agree with this statement...it just shouldn't be this hard!

[blueeyedmanda]

I'm glad you were able to find one that was safe. I agree with this statement...it just shouldn't be this hard!

my thoughts as well.

[jerseyangel]

I know--it's like we're just left to our own devices....I've yet to have a doctor or a pharmacist who knows or is even willing to check into medications for me.

[dlp252]

I can sort of understand the doctors not knowing a lot about medications, especially if it's not one they work with frequently, but a pharmacist really should know, or be able to find out quickly what they are dispensing. It just really sucks that we have to know more about stuff than the professionals we are going to for help.

[jerseyangel]

Of couse it would be unrealistic to expect a doctor to know every ingredient of every drug--but I guess it's the dismissive attitude I get from mine when I mention I'd prefer the name brand since it makes it easier for me to check whether or not it contains gluten.

I just get a "whatever--not my problem" kind of vibe, which I'm sure not all of them have. Hard to explain--on the one hand, it's a doctor who knows I have this disease--but as far as meds are concerned, I don't get the feeling it's all that important to them. I think I want it to be at least considered; acknowledged--like we're on the same page.

Ok--I'm rambling now