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Hi everyone-

Here is the summary from the answers that I received in regard to my
question about Zocor.  Your responses were of help and it is best to share
them on-line with everyone.

2 mentioned that the starch content needed to be checked out to see what
kind it was and to not take it until it was confirmed that it was not wheat
and was gluten-free.  Also one mentioned to check out the talic to see if
it was gf.

2 suggested that I call the Merck Co. back again.  This time tell them that
I need to know if they use wheat starch since it is a life-threatening
ingredient to my health.  If they still refuse, I should ask for a
supervisor or tell them I will switch to another company for a competitive
product.

2 suggested that I have my pharmacist contact the company to learn if they
are gf.  Since the content of medicines can change with each batch, he may
get where he would call the company to check on it before refilling.

One suggested that I have my doctor write on each perscription "Must be
gluten-free" which would make the pharmacist take the responsibility to
check the ingredients.

One said that his wife takes a competitive medicine made by Smith
Klien/Beecham which the company has confirmed that all their tablets were
bound with cornstarch.

One said that she started taking Zocor after checking with the company and
learning that it was gf and learning from her celiac friends that they have
been taking the medicine for years.

One said that she was taking Pravachol which is gf for one year and has
gradually gone off of it after developing side-effects non-related to
gluten.

And last one said that one shouldn't take cholesterol lowering medicines
because they are dangerous and destroy the liver, etc.  I should modify my
diet instead by eating only meats, vegetables and fruits.  Learning details
about this diet can be found in the book Neanderthin, by Ray Audette.

Through my experience of calling a company for important information and
from answers that I have received from all of you leads me to think twice
about the importance of company PR when it comes to dealing with their
customers.  I just am not inpressed with Merck.  I think that for now I
will discontinue the use of Zocor since my diet has chanced so much and the
inside of my lips feel so dried out.  Maybe the dryness will go away once
off the medicine.  The next cholesterol test will reveal if I made the
right decision.

Thanks to all of you for your responses and I hope this summary may help
others as much as you have helped me.

Marita in Sherman, TX USA