Gluten-Free Medications – Separating Truth from Fiction
Categories: All, Gluten Free 101
Tags: , Corn Syrup, Gluten Free Drugs, Over The Counter Medications, Pharmacist, Pharmacy, Prescription Medications
An urgent email came across my line today in all caps with a rarely-used triple exclamation point in the subject line. The email: “ROBITUSSIN NOW CONTAINS GLUTEN!”
That was it. No details, no source. And it didn’t just go to me — it went to a huge celiac support group list.
These kinds of alerts and warnings are broadcast on our celiac listservs, posted on Twitter and Facebook, and shared in emails and support group meetings all the time. Unfortunately, that’s often our community’s best means of protection. Also unfortunately, these urgent messages are often false and lead to gluten-free panic attacks. (The converse of that is also true: there was a post on Twitter yesterday that envelope glue in the US no longer contains gluten; this fact has been true for years, but it caused panic in folks who never knew there used to be gluten in envelope glue, and wondered what else they didn’t know!).
This latest warning had me on my heels though, since my go-to list of gluten-free medications (most recently updated last month) didn’t indicate that any Robitussin medications contain gluten. So, I called Pfizer, the maker of Robitussin (their toll-free number is on the website).
I got through to a nice representative who went through all their products with me and who indicated that there were indeed THREE of the Robitussin varieties which contained added gluten; the remaining products are not tested to determine whether they are gluten-free, but there is no gluten in their ingredients. (I have to say that I’m not entirely sure they know what they are talking about, since she indicated that the gluten is contained in the corn syrup or yeast in these three products, which it is not; however, I also believe it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to gluten. One follow-up note: the sender of the email later told me that she has personally been sickened by one of these products.)
UPDATE: I had earlier reached out to Steve Plogsted – a clinical pharmacist and professor of pharmacy, and THE resident expert on gluten in pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter medications – to see his take on all this ingredient confusion. Plogsted was out of the country when this story broke, but called Pfizer himself upon his return. This is what Plogsted told me about his conversation with Pfizer (quoted with permission):
I just spoke with the company and they are now saying that the only Robitussin product that contains gluten is the Maximum Strength Cough and Chest Congestion DM and the source of that gluten is corn. They said that they are not allowed to separate (in their response) the source of gluten. They are aware that corn gluten is OK and wheat is not but to them, gluten is gluten.
There are no glutens in syrups so this whole deal is just crazy in my opinion. This is the same company who has told me that 8 or so of their prescription products contain gluten which they don’t; they contain the sugar alcohols.
So, according to Pfizer, whether it makes sense or not, ONE of their cold and cough medicines does contain gluten:
Robitussin® Peak Cold Maximum Strength Cough + Chest Congestion DM
Lessons learned?
- Don’t jump to conclusions and panic over everything you hear or read about gluten.
- Use the resources available to you: trusted books or internet sources, physicians, experts.
- If ever in doubt, call the customer service number for any brand or product — that’s why it’s there.
- When it comes to pharmaceuticals, ask your pharmacist to confirm the gluten-free status of all your prescriptions.
- Share the information you learn with others in a reasonable manner that informs rather than scares.
If you would like to learn more about pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter medications and gluten, go to:
The First Year: Celiac Disease & Living Gluten Free (2008 Da Capo Press)
Steven Plogsted, “Medications and Celiac Disease — Tips from a Pharmacist,” Practical Gastroenterology (January 2007): 58-64, The Celiac Diet, Series #5, Carol Rees Parrish, ed.
GlutenFreeDrugs (list of medications)
NFCA: Gluten in Medications for Patients
19 Comments
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14. Oct, 2011
[...] we take, and even that list had Robitussin listed as “safe”. It wasn’t until I read Jules’ blog that I found that she had done some leg work and narrowed down the versions that did indeed contain [...]
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26. Oct, 2011
[...] Jules Gluten Free put out a great post on this specific issue, and rather than repeat her words I’ll just point you there. [...]
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12. Nov, 2011
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dangrdafne said: on October 12, 2011
What is the ingredient that contains the gluten? And why only 3 of the many products?
Lorraine said: on October 13, 2011
Thank you for the info. When ever my daughter gets sick I usually give her that childrens Robitussin. She has never had a reaction from it. Im curious as to what is in it.
Jules said: on October 13, 2011
Lorraine, apparently & unfortunately, they just reformulated this product.
Cheryl said: on October 14, 2011
Hi Jules,
When I got Pat’s 1st email, I didn’t do anything because I didn’t have a source. A 2nd email w/details went out later. And although it’s just a few kinds, a few kinds is a huge deal! I recommend glutenfreedrugs.com to gobs of people, but it’s also logistically impossible to be on top of every change made on thousands of meds. I do think the emails serve a great function…as long as details are double checked.
And thank YOU for calling & posting!
J Lengerd said: on October 14, 2011
Corn syrup, maybe she’s referring to corn gluten.
If it was made with wheat, it would have to be on the label because of the food labeling law. Did you check with the American Celiac Disease Alliance on this?
Jules said: on October 14, 2011
J Lengerd – that’s exactly what I asked! In fact, I asked so many questions (including, “Are you talking about corn gluten?”) that the representative had to call me back after she talked to supervisors and got more information. I am just reporting what they told me which, as I said, makes no sense. You are correct that it would be highly bizarre for there to be wheat in the corn syrup, however, the labeling laws for medications are different than for foods (in terms of reporting). The fact of the matter remains that the company itself is no proclaiming that there is gluten in three of their products and I have now heard of at least 2 people who are reporting they have been “glutened” and they are attributing it to these medications. We need better regulations of inactive products in OTC and prescription medications. Period.
Ann said: on October 26, 2011
Lengerd, there is no law that states that medicines (OTC or prescription) have to state any allergens on their ingredient labels. There are people trying to get this law changed (including Steve Plogsted).
gluten free steve said: on October 14, 2011
Vicks Nature Fusion is gluten free and alcohol free. They are heavily advertising this right now, so watch your Sunday papers for coupons!
Jules said: on October 18, 2011
Thanks so much for the info, Steve!
Stephanie said: on October 17, 2011
I just called and they told me that Robitussin® Peak Cold Maximum Strength Cough + Chest Congestion DM does NOT contain gluten.
Now i’m really confused. And still coughing. Out of an abundance of caution, I’m not taking it.
Jules said: on October 18, 2011
Stephanie, first off, so sorry you’re feeling terrible! I guess cold & flu season really are upon us! Secondly, I really don’t think they know what they’re talking about, because I’ve never heard of an instance of corn syrup containing wheat! That being said, some folks have reported that they believe they were glutened by this product. Additionally, when companies don’t seem to know which way is up with regard to gluten and contamination, my recommendation is to steer clear. There are plenty of other safe choices. Feel better soon!
Liza said: on October 20, 2011
It is even tougher if you have soy, dairy, egg and other concurrent issues. An ER doc told me that many prescription meds..especially any in white tablet form…can have gluten, soy, dairy or egg. Getting inserts they give just to MDs sometimes helps..almost impossible to get the company to tell you the truth..pharmacies often don’t know. But when I tapered off/dropped assorted asthma meds he warned me about, 99% of my allergic responses ceased..along with the proper diet of course! Now we use prevention and rarely get sick…extra vitamin D, silver, fresh juicing, etc.
Jules said: on October 21, 2011
Liza – that’s such a testimonial to a healthier life! If we could all aspire to/try to get off medications … I wonder what other problems might disappear! It’s so amazing the difference the right diet makes, but if you’re still getting “glutened,” or small amounts of other food allergens are slipping through in your medications, you can never reap the full rewards of a healthy life. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences!
Ann said: on October 26, 2011
Jules, please reword the end of your article, I think you’re confusing your readers. My recommendation:
“So, according to Pfizer, whether it makes sense or not, ONE of their cold and cough medicines contains corn gluten:Robitussin® Peak Cold Maximum Strength Cough + Chest Congestion DM, but none of their medications contain wheat gluten.”
ohnaka said: on November 2, 2011
I have to wonder if some who are reacting to “corn gluten” containing products are in fact allergic to the corn itself. It’s not uncommon and we are bombarded with corn additives these days. Too much of any one ingredient is bound to cause trouble for some.
Lory Abramoff said: on February 11, 2013
Mullein is also excellent for producing Cough Syrup, specifically for dry coughs. It possesses a soothing demulcent for the respiratory system. ‘Demulcent’ means a herb wealthy in mucilage that is soothing and in this situation is also delightful!.When you feel the leaves of Mullein they really feel wonderfully soft and silky which is a certain sign that the leaves have mucilage. Mucilage, although it sounds disgusting, is excellent stuff as it coats and protects mucous membranes lining the gut and respiratory system…