Subject: | |
From: | |
Reply To: | |
Date: | Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:28:56 -0400 |
Content-Type: | text/plain |
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
Just to give you a little background on drug ingredients since I've seen
some confusion on here lately:
Generic drugs (ie: sucralfate) can be made by several
manufacturers/companies. The FDA only requires that their "active"
ingredients (the ones that make the drug work in the body) be equivalent
(meaning as effective) to the brand name drug (ie: Carafate). The
"inactive" ingredients are the types of things that help the active
ingredient remain in a pill form, a capsule, liquid or gel, etc. These
can vary widely among companies and are definitely not the same thing. The
most obvious thing to look out for would be starches that are not
identified by type (corn, wheat, etc). Many people say that the generic
is the same as the brand--and for most people this is true--as most people
won't notice a difference between the generic and the brand. However, for
those with allergies/intolerances, it is definitely NOT the case.
It's kind of like having General Mills Rice Chex (brand name) and
comparing it to the Wal-mart generic, the local grocery store generic, and
the organic company's version. They all seem to be like rice chex, but
they may have different ingredients--For instance the barley malt extract
in Rice Chex vs the organic version without any.
It is difficult sometimes to get a hold of a generic company's phone
number to inquire on ingredients. If you have time, ask your pharmacist
the company name who makes the drug that the pharmacy carries before
filling your Rx if you can. Not all pharmacies will carry the same
generics (and sometimes the pharmacies will change where they obtain their
generics!) I always google search "*Company Name* Medical Communications
800" and can usually find a phone number for the Medical Communications
dept that way. The medical communications department usually answers
ingredient and product questions. Some of the smaller companies will just
have a customer service number instead of Medical Communications.
I always try to get a look at the inactive ingredient list before calling
the company to see if there are any questionable products (starch) before
I call, as sometimes, I haven't gotten a person who knows what "gluten"
is. Then I can ask specifically about the source of the starch as well. I
don't rely general websites for this list. I sometimes go to the company
website (The inactive ingredients are usually listed in the Prescribing
Information).
Additionally the government has set up the DailyMed website with FDA
approved drug labels (where you can search the inactive ingredients):
http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/about.cfm
Alternatively, if you have access to a library, try the Physician's Desk
Reference (PDR) which lists almost every drug by every company and their
phone numbers (it's a large reference book). This is available online but
there's a fee (I had it through work at one point.)
I know it can be frustrating and confusing at times. Best of luck to
you!!!
Angela in NJ
*Support summarization of posts, reply to the SENDER not the CELIAC List*
*******
To unsubscribe, email: mailto:[log in to unmask]
*******
|
|
|