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Subject:
From:
Jim Lyles <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 21 Feb 2001 23:50:03 EST
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<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

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

                 Excipient Ingredients in Medications
                 ------------------------------------
                      by Stephen Plogsted, ParmD

Stephen Plogsted is a pharmacist at Children's Hospital in Columbus,
Ohio.  At the celiac conference hosted there in November, he provided
the following information about some of the inactive ingredients often
found in medications.  [Note:  All of these ingredients are
gluten-free unless noted otherwise--ed.]

Benzyl alcohol--made synthetically from benzyl chloride which is
   derived from toluene (a tar oil)

Cellulose (methylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose,
   microcrystalline)--obtained from fibrous plant material (woody
   pulp or chemical cotton)

Cetyl alcohol--derived from a fat source (spermaceti, which is a waxy
   substance from the head of the sperm whale)

Croscarmellose sodium--an internally cross-linked sodium
   carboxymethylcellulose for use as a disintegrant in pharmaceutical
   formulations

Dextrans--sugar molecules

Dextrins--result from the hydrolysis of starch by heat or hydrochloric
   acid (from corn)

Dextrates--mix of sugars resulting from the controlled enzymatic
   hydrolysis of starch [Might not be gluten-free, depending on which
   grain the starch is derived from.--ed]

Gelatin--Obtained from the skin, white connective tissue and bones of
   animals (by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, bones, etc with
   water)

Glycerin--Historically, glycerin (also known as glycerol), was made
   the following ways:
      -- Saponification (a type of chemical process) of fats and oils
         in the manufacturing of soaps
      -- Hydrolysis of fats and oils through pressure and superheated
         steam
      -- Fermentation of beet sugar molasses in the presence of large
         amounts of sodium sulfite
      -- Today it is made mostly from propylene (a petroleum product)

Glycerols--obtained from fats and oils as byproducts in the
   manufacture of soaps and fatty acids

Glycols--products of ethylene oxide gas

Iron oxide (rust)--used as a coloring agent

Mannitol--derived from monosaccharides

Polysorbates--chemically altered sorbitol (a sugar)

Povidone (crospovidone)--synthetic polymers

Silicon dioxide--dispersing agent made from silicon

Sodium lauryl sulfate--derivative of the fatty acids of coconut oil

Stearates (calcium, magnesium)--derived from stearic acid (a fat);
   occurs as a glyceride in tallow and other animal fats and oils, as
   well as some vegetables; prepared synthetically by hydrogenation

Titanium dioxide--chemical not derived from any starch source used as
   a white pigment

Triacetin--derivative of glycerin (acetylation of glycerol)

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