<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> I had an interesting experience today. I found out that my blood pressure medication contains a 'starch'. My pharmacist could not identify which one from his files, so gave me a long distance number to the drug company in New Jersey. I called it and after going through five or six computer menus, I finally got to talk to a real person who confirmed that there is a 'starch' in the medication I was asking about, but she said she was not able to define it any more precisely than that for me as I am the CONSUMER. The policy of Novartis (which is the parent company of Ciba-Geigy) is to only give information to "Health Care Professionals". I had to call my pharmacist and ask him to call the drug company. It turns out that the 'starch' is actually corn starch, therefore safe, but the drug company couldn't/wouldn't tell me. In case anyone wants to call Novartis / Ciba-Geigy they do have a toll free number: 1-888-669-6682. Sign me FRUSTRATED IN MISSOURI Jim Depression is anger with no enthusiasm.