2 Different Answers About A Medication And Gluten

[KnightRobby]

I called the manufacturer of a medication that I am taking. The rep called me back and said that they couldn't deny or confirm that there was gluten in the medication. So, this isn't a good thing to me of course.

On the other hand, my doctor calls and asks. She speaks to someone who says it doesn't have gluten. I tell her that I was told they didn't know and couldn't confirm/deny. I found it to be odd we received 2 different answers. The thing that bothers me is that her answer immediately overid mine. She wasn't curious as to why we received 2 different answers, though I trust her, I feel like she was being incredibly lazy.

I'm calling Monday, but at this point I have no idea if this medication has gluten or not. It is not listed on the Gluten Free medication list.

Does anyone know if there is an updated list anywhere? Not knowing whether or not this medication is harmful is very frustrating.

[Juliebove]

Who did you speak to? Chances are that you spoke to two different people. Often if you speak to two different people, you'll get two different answers. If the person I am speaking to doesn't have an answer, I will ask for a supervisor. Not that I can be assured that they have the right answer mind you. Some people will sound authoratative and given you an answer even when it's wrong. Me? I'd rather say I don't know if I really don't. But I will also try to find out for sure.

[KnightRobby]

I spoke to someone, my doctor spoke with another person. It's ridiculous that they came up with 2 different answers for one simple question. You are right though; I definitely need to speak with a supervisor at this point. But it makes me worried about some other medicines and if these answers are really answers.

Anyone else have trouble with getting a straight answer about gluten and medicine...or just food?

[VeggieGal]

You could try emailing the company and explaining the situation and that you received two different answers from them. That way you may get something back in writing. It maybe that it doesnt contain gluten but its made in a company that has gluten in other meds and therefore a chance of cross contamination and therefore they are legally bound not to specify it as gluten free.

If you don't get a reply, follow it up with a phonecall to a manager as mentioned. I've had same issues with my levothyroxine meds. In the end I had to go online and type in glutenfree thyroxine to bring a list up. Good luck

[1desperateladysaved]

I had a company that absolutely could not tell me if corn was in their product. However, they solumnly warned me that they could not guarantee the product was corn free. I read between the lines; there was corn in it.

[Adalaide]

There has been at least one occasion on which I have called a company about a drug and been told that they consider their product gluten free in the same breath she told me that an ingredient in it is sourced from wheat. The medication is on the gluten free drug list. I call every manufacturer, every time.

This is the simple reason I never fill a prescription without verification it is safe first, and hopefully you haven't yet either. Call other pharmacies in the area, find out who their manufacturer is and arm yourself with the phone number for all of those manufacturers for Monday morning. While emailing is useful, if you need a prescription soon it is a waste of time when you can just get someone on the phone in minutes rather than wait days for a response.

[VeggieGal]

While emailing is useful, if you need a prescription soon it is a waste of time when you can just get someone on the phone in minutes rather than wait days for a response.

The problem is, you can't always get someone on the phone straight away. I kept getting passed from pillar to post and given insuffient information. Maybe i was lucky after i sent an email because the relevant person phoned me almost straight away and confirmed it all in writing afterwards so I could show my GP. I was very impressed with them (Mercury Pharma) because they also got me to complete a survey with them as they were/are doing a study/research on Celiac disease and Levothyroxine medication as they believe there is a connection. It actually felt good not to be counted as just a number but my history/health and views were taken into account. Sometimes it pays to be patient and get the correct information ...frustrating at times I know.

[Adalaide]

I'm not sure how things may be different in England, but here in the US we pretty much get handed a piece of paper by our doctor and sent on our way to choose our own pharmacy and get our prescription filled. Our doctor really has nothing to do with anything at that point besides authorizing refills if needed. Most don't really give a crap what is in our pills. Also, with the number of manufacturers that are in the US it is very easy to get a human on the phone from half a dozen manufacturers in 30-60 minutes depending on the time of day. I have so many manufacturer's numbers in my contact list of my cell phone you'd think I'm a pharmacist.

I do agree though that getting the correct information is absolutely vital. We can't risk taking something that could make us horridly ill from gluten. At this point I am quite accustomed to hearing the "but we can't make guarantees" and "we don't actually test for gluten" and other such statements from manufacturers, but I would be alarmed at getting two different answers from the same company. A third call may be in order, and be sure to make it yourself. Nothing against your doctor but no matter how much you trust her, unless she also has celiac she has no clue what she needs to be asking these people and you do.

[psawyer]

"we can not guarantee" usually means that, while the ingredient is not intentionally present, no testing is done for possible contamination on materials purchased from third parties. That is the reality.