Gluten In Medications

[Emily888]

I'm wondering if anyone has had trouble with Labetalol. I've been trying to find out if it may have glutenous fillers (can't figure out what I am doing that is kicking up the celiac disease). I've asked to switch to the non-generic form called Trandate which I have been able to confirm as being glutten-free. If anyone has experience with Labetalol from EON Labs now Sandoz please let me know. Thnx!

[MaryJones2]

This list may be helpful: Open Original Shared Link

I'm not sure about the drug you mention but would suggest you give Sandoz a call and see what they have to say about it. Manufacturer numbers can be found here: Open Original Shared Link

[Gentleheart]

I just have any meds I ever use compounded for me by a reputable compounding pharmacy I trust, even aspirin. It costs more, but at least I know exactly what I'm getting. I've called a few pharmceutical companies and they are very hesitant to guarantee that there is no gluten or other food allergens in their products. Sometimes, unfortunately, they have even been honestly mistaken. Excipients are cheap fillers that they use to make the tablet stick together or fill up the capsule. It is much easier for them to use the cheapest commodity filler they can get at the time. One time it might actually be something like potato starch, but the next time it might be corn starch or even wheat starch, although there may still be rules in the USA about that. I don't know. But with codex regulations becoming so popular now, your medication or food could maybe even contain up to 20 ppm and still be called gluten free. It's a pickle. Even though the drug person you talk to may be very nice and "fairly" sure that your medication doesn't contain any gluten, they usually stop short of guaranteeing anything. The last one I talked to said "to the best of my knowledge" it doesn't contain any gluten. That statement makes me very nervous. I have just given up and personally do compounding whenever I need meds. Compounding pharmacists sure seem to be nice folks, at least the ones I've done business with. They seem to actually understand our dilemma. Just some suggestions I hope will help.

[Emily888]

That sounds very helpful, what is compounding and how did you locate a compounding pharmacist?

[Gentleheart]

Compounding Pharmacies usually put the word "compounding" in their names so you can find them. So if you live in a sizable town, you likely have several and can find them in the Yellow Pages. I would pick the biggest, cleanest stores who look like they are well organized and well established in the community. You want a nice, trustworthy, knowledgable, talkative pharmacist no matter where you go. A wise, kind, common sense pharmacist is a valuable find.

I will warn you, though. Compounding is more expensive than just regular meds for obvious reasons. It's like customized meds just for you. But I have found that my insurance will pay for it so far. I usually have to pay for it up front and get reiumbursed later, however. Occasionally you will find a drug company who will stubbornly not sell their raw drug material to compound pharmacies. You may then have to ask your doctor for another brand of the same exact med to make it work. That's between you and your doctor to discuss, of course. Your prescription has to indicate your need for the med to be free from whatever your allergies are in order for the compounder to satisfy all the legal regulations. Other than that, it's no different than buying regular meds. The medication is exactly the same, you just don't get all the potentially allergen fillers along with it. Compounded meds usually come in capsules. Many pharmacies don't have the equipment to make tablets.

[Emily888]

Thank you, I appreciate all of the information that you have given me. I will definitely look into this!!!