It is not commonly known that many medicines actually contain gluten, and when you’re sick, you don’t want your medication to make you feel even sicker. Here’s what to know about gluten in medications.
While some people view going gluten-free as just another fad diet, we know there are plenty of scientifically-proven and medically-backed reasons for going gluten free.
According to Pharmacy Times, approximately 18 million people in the US struggle with gluten sensitivities.
Those who have true intolerances, allergies, and diseases like celiac may find it hard to minimize their exposure to the substance, especially when it comes to food.
But what about supplements and medications?
You might be surprised to learn that gluten in medications is extremely common as well.
Gluten in Medications
One of the first problems with medications is that most consumers don’t realize the drugs they are taking contain gluten to begin with. They spend more time looking at the active ingredients than they do at the inactive ingredients.
The inactive ingredients are often a separate list on vitamins and supplements.
Prescription drugs are even more difficult to review, often requiring online searches or phone calls to the manufacturers to confirm a full ingredient list.
This can be incredibly frustrating to those with allergies, to gluten or otherwise.
Understanding Ingredients in Medication
The ingredients contained within oral drugs are known as excipients. These include:
- The active drugs
- The chemicals that allow the body to absorb your medications
- Binders to hold the drugs together
- Additives that give your medication color
- Protectants to keep the drug from disintegrating too soon
- And other additives
Some of these excipients are natural and others are synthetic, but the FDA claims they are all safe.
Safety Concerns for Gluten Intolerances
Safe for the general public is one thing. Safe for those who can’t consume gluten?
That may be an entirely different question.
While the majority of drugs use excipients derived from corn, potato, or tapioca starches, many use wheat starches, alone or in combination with another.
There are two main databases you can attempt to use when looking to figure out what type of starch ingredients are used in a drug. They are Pillbox and DailyMed.
While these are both commendable databases, there is no legislation requiring manufacturers to list their drugs or their ingredients in these or on any other list.
This can be problematic for those who do not have the know-how or ability to call manufacturers about every drug prescription.
Is There Gluten?
The other problem is that a guarantee that a drug does not contain any gluten ingredients doesn’t mean you won’t be exposed to gluten at all.
In many cases, manufacturers do not guarantee that a drug is not cross-contaminated.
When there is gluten in medications, and they have been processed right before a medication without gluten, you may get cross-contamination.
Despite this, there is a low chance of cross-contamination due to the other quality control factors the FDA requires plants to follow.
Prescription Drugs vs Supplements
It’s important to take special care when looking at a supplement as opposed to a prescription drug.
While vitamin supplements are exposed to some degree of regulation, herbal supplements receive very little.
This means you now have questions regarding quality and effectiveness, but also the truth in reporting the inactive ingredients as well.
This is especially crucial because individuals with celiac disease, or other disorders impacting the gastrointestinal system, tend to have nutrient deficiencies.
It takes planning and careful balancing to find the right combination of GI-friendly foods and supplements to ensure individuals with these disorders don’t become deficient.
Common deficiencies include:
- Vitamins B12 and B6
- Iron
- Folate
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Niacin
- Vitamin D
The stricter a person’s gluten-free diet, the easier it is for the intestines to heal.
This makes it easier for them to properly absorb nutrients again in the future, possibly eliminating the need for supplementation.
That said, good supplementation makes it easier for those struggling with nutrition to thrive.
Gluten Exposure
The side effects of gluten exposure in those with sensitivities vary depending on the person, the amount they ingested, the source, and the condition they’re struggling to control.
Common symptoms include:
- Intestinal cramping and pain
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sudden and severe fatigue
- Headaches
- Increased symptoms of anxiety
- Muscle and joint aches
The problem with all of these symptoms?
They can definitely be contributed to other conditions and illnesses, including food poisoning, colds, flus, and even panic disorders.
Over time, patients with sensitivities often learn to tell the difference between their “gluten” symptoms and those caused by other issues.
A headache caused by gluten exposure, for example, may tend to feel different than one caused by muscle tension or an illness.
What Should You Do If Exposed to Gluten?
That said, there are a number of things you can do if you are exposed to gluten in medications.
Just remember that it can take anywhere from days to a couple of weeks for your body to completely recover.
Always call your doctor if your symptoms are severe or if they are not subsiding.
Otherwise, you’ll find you can manage your symptoms by:
- Staying hydrated. Drink plenty of water and consider an electrolyte beverage, especially if you have had diarrhea or have been vomiting.
- Using a heating pad. This is especially helpful on your abdominal area to alleviate pain and cramping.
- Taking antispasmodic medications. Talk to your doctor if you experience a lot of spasms in your abdominal area due to your medical conditions.
- Taking anti-inflammatory medications or supplements. Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory supplement you may opt to take regularly. Talk to your doctor about these and other OTC options.
- Incorporating digestive enzymes. Adding these into your diet will help your body process foods properly despite the inflammation caused by your exposure.
- Rest. As much as possible so your body can heal.
- Practicing self-care.These techniques help to control the symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue that often come with difficult-to-control health disorders.
Conclusion
There’s nothing particularly fun about having to follow a gluten-free diet plan, and there’s certainly nothing enjoyable about dealing with the side effects of unwanted exposure of gluten in medications.
Over time, you’ll learn what brands are most compatible with your particular GI disorder, especially when it comes to additives. From there, you can avoid certain brand that put gluten in medications.
Luckily, gluten-free medication is also readily available. A compounding pharmacist can simply create your existing medications, but without the gluten.
Never be afraid to question your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure about what drugs are safe to take. They can help you figure out what you need to avoid.
If you are in need of gluten-free medication, contact one of our pharmacists today.
