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

Virtually all of the newer medications are gluten free, but to find out
for sure, just call the pharmaceutical company. Their usually glad to
give you this information and very nice about. When you call on a drug
company or a food company, never ask if it contains gluten. Rather ask
if there are any ingredients in the product based in wheat, rye, oats or
barley. This way you are sure that the person you are speaking with
isn't looking for the word, "gluten". Usually, after you have posed the
question, they will ask if you are gluten intolerant. This is you
assurance that the person answering your question knows what he/she is
talking about. This is how you secure information about gluten contained
in anything.

You can find out the pharmaceutical company's phone number by: Looking
at the package insert, if the doctor gives you samples; Getting the
phone number from your doctor's Physicians Desk Reference or call your
pharmacist for the number. Sometimes, the pharmacist will check on this
question for you, so you won't have to call yourself. However, don't
depend on this service, since pharmacists are very busy just trying to
get the prescriptions filled.

Any long-term medication that you will be taking should be checked for
gluten content. If your medication will be taken only short term, such
as an antibiotic, you probably don't have to worry so much about
checking. In this case, you will probably have to take the medication,
anyway, whether it is gluten free or not.  As long as a medication is
short term, you shouldn't have to worry too much about the gluten
content - it is not going to do that much damage over the short term.

Linda in New Jersey, I hope this answers your question about  the gluten
free status of Zocor.

Another point. Asking people their opinions about the gluten free status
of anything is not a very good way to ascertain this information.
Everyone has opinions, but opinions are not factual information. Always
go to the reliable sources.

Marge in Louisville