Gluten in Medicine: How to Find Out If Your Medication is Safe

Hidden gluten in medicine is a problem for people with celiac disease. The gluten-free status of a medication can sometimes be determined simply by checking the “Frequently Asked Questions” page of the manufacturer’s website. Often a brand name medication will have its own website. If there is no information on the website regarding gluten, at a minimum you’ll be able to find a phone number for contacting the company. (You might need to look for a link on the page that says “Contact Us” in small letters.)

Because manufacturing processes change, it is important to recheck frequently. Furthermore, if you are taking generic medications, check with your pharmacy each time you renew your prescription to make sure their supplier has not changed. If your pharmacist can't or won't do the research for you, ask for the name of the manufacturer of your generic brand and call the company yourself.

There is no substitute for checking with the manufacturer directly. The resources listed below should be used only as a starting point for researching the gluten-free status of medications.

Glutenfree Drugs
This website is maintained by a clinical pharmacist, with information added periodically. Drugs are listed alphabetically and by therapeutic category.

Gluten-Free Medication List from the Wheaton, IL Gluten-Free Support Group
This PDF file was updated as of October 2008. More information about this list is available on the website of Naperville Gastroenterology.

Clan Thompson’s Celiac Site
This website sells gluten-free SmartLists for prescription and nonprescription drugs (printed copies or software), available for purchase on their website.

Online Directory of Drug Manufacturers
This directory provides contact information for pharmaceutical companies in the United States.