A Guide Through the Medicine Cabinet Is a Lifesaver for Celiac Patients

"A Guide Through the Medicine Cabinet" is a massive database which identifies prescription drugs which contain gluten and other additives that endanger Celiac patients. It is a unique, valuable resource to Celiac patients and their physicians. Other additives to be included in future editions.

November 10, 2004 -- For celiac patients who must avoid ingesting any gluten, proper food choices are critical and sometimes difficult to make. Imagine how much more complex decision-making can be for physicians and their patients when prescribing medications for celiac patients. Treating one disease could actually exacerbate another if the prescribed medication contains gluten.

Until 1998, when a Medford NJ woman took the initiative to compile a comprehensive guide, there was no direct way for celiac patients or their doctors to determine if gluten was present in prescription drugs. That all changed when Marcia Milazzo compiled and published the first edition of Celiac Sprue. A Guide Through the Medicine Cabinet.

This comprehensive, 400-page directory, updated annually, enables celiac patients, as well as those sensitive to lactose and iodine, to easily identify prescription drugs to avoid. Armed with the information in the guide, doctors can make informed decisions about the medications they prescribe for celiac patients.

Described as an unbelievable help to all celiacs and a lifesaver by celiac patients, the idea for the Guide evolved from Milazzos personal experience as the mother of an autistic child, and her late husband Williams work as a compounding pharmacist.

When our son was placed on an additive free diet, Bill made, or compounded, his medicines from scratch, the author explained. Gradually, compounding became the foundation of our pharmacy.

As word spread about this special pharmacy that would custom compound medicines without including gluten or lactose, the celiac community started to take notice. Thats when Milazzo conceived the idea for A Guide Through the Medicine Cabinet. Her goal was to produce a comprehensive guide to prescription medications for celiac patients and anyone who must eliminate gluten, lactose and/or iodine from their diet.

The purpose of the Guide is to provide people with dietary restrictions, and their doctors, with the information they need to make responsible decisions about the medications they take and prescribe, Milazzo explained.

To compile the data for the Guide, Milazzo surveys over 1200 drug manufacturers. The results of those surveys are published in the 400-page guide which will soon be expanded to include information about casein, sugar, alcohol and caffeine contained in medication.

A valuable resource for patients, the information contained in A Guide Through the Medicine Cabinet is particularly useful for physicians. Not only is the Guide a useful resource for doctors, it may soon be easier for them the access the vital information it contains via a readily accessible digital format.

While A Guide Through the Medicine Cabinet is included on the Celiac Sprue Association/USA list of recommended books, many patients and their physicians find out about it by word of mouth. To view sample pages, order a copy, or obtain further information visit www.celiacmeds.com. ;                       

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