Gluten ingredients in medications

[Antonia89]

The following is a list of ingredients that are found in common medications, and their definitions. The ones that are italicized are the ingredients that contain gluten, or can be interpreted as non-vegetarian and should be checked for!


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

Cellulose (methylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose, microcrystalline, powdered)--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 a sperm whale.)

Croscarmellose sodium-- An internally cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcellulose for use as a disintegrant in pharmaceutical formulations. It contains no sugar or starch.

Dextrans--Sugar molecules.

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

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

Dextri-maltose--A sugar that may be obtained from barley malt.

Dextrose--A sugar that is obtained from corn starch.

Fructose-- A sugar also known as levulose or fruit sugar.

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

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.

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

Kaolin--A clay-like substance

Lactinol--Lactose derivative.

Lactose--Lactose, or milk sugar, is used in the pharmaceutical industry as a filler or binder for the manufacture of coated pills and tablets.

Maltodextrin--A starch hydrolysate that is usually obtained from corn but can be extracted from wheat, potatoes, or rice.

Mannitol--Derived from monosaccharides (glucose and mannose).

Polysorbates--Chemically altered sorbitol (a sugar).

Pregelatinized starch--A starch that has been c hemically or mechanically processed. The starch can come from corn, wheat, potatoes, or tapioca.

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

Sodium lauryl sulfate--Derivative of the fatty acids of coconut oil.

Sodium starch glycolate--A starch that is usually obtained from potatoes but may come from any starch source.


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

Silicon dioxide- Dispersing agent made from silicon.



List from the book "Celiac Disease" by Sylvia Llewelyn Bower

[Kristen]

Thanks for this list! I am a new Celiac and am in a fairly precarious state right now. Found there is certainly some BMD loss and need to take bunches of calcium and vitamin D. They ALL contain maltodextrin. Ay, ay, yi! Of cource, there is one brand, Calcitrate, that does not contain maltodextrin. Of course it is the most expensive brand...
any way, thanks for the clarification!
Kristen

[Antonia89]

You're very welcome. I'm so glad you found this helpful!

-Antonia