<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Thanks to everyone for their helpful responses.  I was searching for a
GF nasal spray for my 12-year-old daughter who was miserable during the
worst of the ragweed season.  She is taking Zyrtec which helps but not
enough.  FYI:  I called Pfizer in July and all formulations of Zyrtec
are GF.  To make this fairly brief, I have included a tally of the
responses, some comments on non-steroidal alternatives, and what 3 of
the companies told me when I called them (their responses had prompted
me to ask for your help).

Tally (steroidal sprays):
   Flonase   8 used it with no problems (5 had confirmed it was GF)
                  1 person had a strange reaction and stopped using it
                  1 person said it was not GF
   Nasonex   7 used it with no problems (4 had confirmed it was GF)
   Rhinocort AQ  4 used it with no problems (2 had confirmed it was GF)
   Nasacort AQ   3 used it with no problems
   Vancenase AQ   1 used it with no problems (confirmed GF)
   Beconase   1 used it with no problems

Tally (nonsteroidal sprays, see contact info below):
   Astelin   3 used it with no problems (1 confirmed it GF, 1 used it in
addition to Zyrtec)
   NasalCrom   2 used it with no problems (2 confirmed it GF, 1 used it
in addition to Zyrtec)
   Saline   1 used this to wash out the pollen and relieve post-nasal
drip

A few people mentioned that steroidal sprays are strong medicines with
side effects especially in kids.  I must confess that I am very cautious
about what I give my kids (to the point of overprotecting them) and I
was concerned about what I read on these company's web sites on the side
effects in kids.  I personally use Flonase and love it but I'm not sure
I want my growing child to use it.  Instead I decided to try the
combination of Zyrtec and nonsteroidal spray (the suggestion was to use
the spray during the worst part of the season when the Zyrtec does not
work as well).  I called NasalCrom today and was told "there is
absolutely no gluten or wheat" in it (877-925-5374, www.nasalcrom.com).
This is an OTC medicine that I found at CVS.  Astelin is a prescription
antihistamine spray made by Wallace Labs (www.astelin.com).

In my original message, I mentioned that I had called three companies
and did not get answers that I felt good about.  In retrospect, I think
they were just giving me the lawyer line but here are the responses that
I got.  Flonase (GlaxoSmithKline, 888-825-5249):  we are not aware of
any gluten at this time but the formulation may change (this actually
sounds like a GF-but-we-can't-say-that answer).  Nasonex (Schering,
800-222-7579): our suppliers change from time to time so we cannot
guarantee it is GF for any time period.  Nasacort AQ (Aventis,
800-981-2491): we can't guarantee it is GF because some byproducts of
wheat, oats, barley and rye may be used in our inhalers.  I did not call
any of them back to quiz them about exactly what they meant.

Thanks again for all your help.

Best wishes,
Cindy in MA

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