Zyrtec - Contains Gluten And Dairy/lactose

[SLB5757]

Hello all.

I called Zyrtec just now and they explained to me that their products contain gluten and milk (all of them)!

Does anyone know of a brand that does not contain gluten or lactose? I am going to call Claritin as well - but sheeeeesh. You would think that they would have maybe one formulation that didn't contain gluten or lactose.

It was funny because after he told me that it contained the things that I was allergic/intolerant too, he said "would you like me to send you any coupons or store locations where you can purchase Zyrtec?" Um NOOO!!

***UPDATE*** NEWBIE ERROR. They do not test for gluten. I was misinformed by a representative about it containing gluten, then spoke with another rep who clarified they do not test at all for gluten but it's the same formula as prescription Zyrtec.

[SLB5757]

Yay for Claritin. Just called the info line and the representative was VERY helpful.

Claritin regular 10mg tabs contain lactose.

Claritin Ready-Tabs are lactose free/casein free.

Claritin Grape and Fruit flavored syrup is lactose/casein free.

ALL Claritin products are Gluten free ~ Looks like I will not be starting my generic Claritin prescription and will opt for one of the lactose free options.

[jcc]

Hello all.

I called Zyrtec just now and they explained to me that their products contain gluten and milk (all of them)!

Does anyone know of a brand that does not contain gluten or lactose? I am going to call Claritin as well - but sheeeeesh. You would think that they would have maybe one formulation that didn't contain gluten or lactose.

It was funny because after he told me that it contained the things that I was allergic/intolerant too, he said "would you like me to send you any coupons or store locations where you can purchase Zyrtec?" Um NOOO!!

This is news to me! If true, you might want to relay the information you received to the keeper of this list:

Open Original Shared Link

[lizard00]

That is news to me, also. I've been taking Zyrtec on and off for a couple of years now, it's never bothered me, only helped. I'll have to investigate further.

[Mother of Jibril]

Hmm... I'm also taking Zyrtec on a daily basis. Here's what the company's website currently says:

Open Original Shared Link

Q. Do Zyrtec tablets contain lactose?

A. Yes. However, Zyrtec Fastmelts are lactose-free.

Q. Do Zyrtec tablets contain wheat or gluten?

A. No. The tablets can therefore be taken by people with coeliac disease.

[lizard00]

Hmm... I'm also taking Zyrtec on a daily basis. Here's what the company's website currently says:

Open Original Shared Link

Thanks for posting that! I knew I had seen that website somewhere a while back, when I was trying to determine if it was gluten-free, it was making me crazy.

[brigala]

I also take Zyrtec fairly regularly. Claratin doesn't do a thing for my allergies (and it may be my imagination, but I actually think it makes them worse). Allegra works better for me than Zyrtec, but I've never had a problem with Zyrtec and it works pretty well. I wonder if the guy you spoke to may have been confused; not only is it contrary to their published information, but it seems a whole lot of Celiacs take it with no adverse affects.

[SLB5757]

I called Zyrtec first thing this morning specifically asking about lactose and gluten. They stated that all of their products were not gluten free. My doctor had prescribed Claritin tablets and these do contain lactose so he switched me to the fast tabs which are lactose free. I am only 8 days gluten free so I am calling every company before I use their products to verify that I have accurate information.

If people are taking Zyrtec with no side affects then absolutely take it ( I have never tried it before myself - only called before I tried the syrup I had bought for my kids). I could have spoken with a represenative who wasn't very thorough. He did have to make me "hold the line" before giving me an answer - but was very friendly. I only wanted to pass the information along as I had received it. I am a HIGHLY allergic person who thay have put on about 4 different medicines and I have to be sure they are all gluten and lactose free before I take them. maybe I will have to call the company two or three times before I get a general consensus - but you would think that any representative I talk to could give me the correct information

I googled and found some posts on this board that mentioned Sensodyne as containing gluten. I have used Pronamel forever and became concerned. Calling the company - I was able to verify that Sensodyne Pronamel is gluten-free - however the other versions are not gluten free.

If anyone else who has been at the gluten-free thing longer than I has more reliable information - I appologize for posting. Just thought I may help someone with the information I received via. phone contact with actual representatives of the company today. This has all been harder than I thought.

[angel-jd1]

I take Zyrtec daily and have no problems with it. The last time I called to check on the status they told me that they do not ADD gluten and they do not test for gluten. Basically covering themselves with that statement.

I took it before it was over the counter, and it was gluten free then. When it went OTC, checked and they said the formulation hadn't changed.......I do not believe it contains any gluten with all of the info that I have collected from them and the fact that I don't have any symptoms when taking it.

-Jessica

[SLB5757]

And just an FYI - the website link above had a disclaimer at the bottom:

" This site is published by Johnson & Johnson Pacific Pty Limited which is solely responsible for its contents.

It is intended for visitors from Australia only. See our Legal Notice and Privacy Policy. Last Modified 30th May 2008"

Could there be a difference in USA/UK formulations? Could the formulation have been updated since 5/30/08 and not be updated on the website (would think they would have to post it if it's different in the USA)? Or maybe I just talked to a misinformed representative who just spit an answer out to me. Either way - I appologize if it's incorrect. And am glad many of you take it with no problems

[lovegrov]

Is the original poster ABSOLUTELY certain the company didn't just say they didn't guarantee the product is gluten-free -- the old CYA? Virtually no medications in the U.S. have gluten.

richard

[SLB5757]

Is the original poster ABSOLUTELY certain the company didn't just say they didn't guarantee the product is gluten-free -- the old CYA? Virtually no medications in the U.S. have gluten.

richard

I am new to all of this so again-I had to call. The representative this AM told me two times they contain gluten. After reading everyones posts I called again. This rep said only "we do not test for gluten". She repeated that statement three times. Newbie error here. They can't state whether it does or does not contain it. Sorry

[lovegrov]

No problem on the newbie error. I made tons of them. The company is being obtuse. I called and they said it's the same formula as when it was prescription but they don't test it (most manufacturers don't test products for gluten; this is nothing unusual). When it was prescription they gave the CYA statement that while they didn't put gluten in it, they couldn't guarantee their suppliers.

Bottom line -- it's almost without a doubt gluten-free, but the company isn't exactly being helpful.

richarde