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

I just spoke with a CSR at Merck & Co, as I had tried to get info. on
ingredients in Maxalt (migraine med.).  I have requested a written copy of
thier gluten statetment because it is obviously not written by someone who
knows about gluten.  It SOUNDS as if they are saying none of thier products
containing starch are gluten free.

What it says is that even though it is supposedly made out of corn, it has
.01-.05% gluten.  It goes on to say that wheat and rye has gliadin, but
barley and oats have prolamins, and that the gluten in it is not of a
gliadin source.  It does not state either that it has, or doesn't have
gluten, specifically.  Rather, it dances around the protien fraction names,
which it doesn't even have correct.  In reading it, I would have no way of
knowing whether the products are or are not gluten free.  Further, because
I am "just a consumer", he claims the FDA laws do not allow him to give me
any more information that what is listed on thier label, besides the
statement he read me.  Rather, some (any) medical professionial can call
and THEY can get more detailed and specific information.

Soooo... if any of you "medical professionals" can help, I'd really
appreciate it.

I tried to explaining to him that they didn't even have the protein
fragment names correct for the various gluten containing grains.  He simply
stated that he was not a chemist, and thier chemists gave them that info.=

So, it sounds like Merck's chemists need some educating, as well.

If anyone has any more detailed information regarding either Maxalt or
Merck & Co., Please share.

Thanks.

Joanne