Commonly prescribed oral medications in the U.S. are mostly made up of ingredients that have little to do with the condition being treated, a new study finds. These “inactive” substances, like lactose or gluten, can also be the source of allergies and intolerances.
Dr. Giovanni Traverso, one of the study’s authors, began his research several years ago after hearing about a patient with celiac disease who was prescribed medicine for a different condition. But it turned out that the patient received a formulation of the drug that contained wheat starch as an inactive ingredient, which could lead to an adverse reaction.
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Would have loved to use this article for my essay, it’s a shame you gotta pay for it.
The ‘other ingredients’ in a tablet or capsule are more properly called ‘excipients’ and they have been a focus point over the last 15 years. Proper quality and control have been an emerging issue. especially as supply chains moved OUS. They are also the reason there is still a role for the compounding industry. It’s a new story to those new to the industry.