Sifting through pages of pharmaceutical information about Lexapro, trying to find information about its gluten content, can be frustrating as this prescription drug is not labeled as "gluten-free." By comparing mentions of inactive ingredients with published gluten-free additive lists, in addition to finding the few references to its gluten-free ingredients hidden within informational texts, it can be determined that Lexapro is gluten-free.
Gluten Defined
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has set guidelines for the labeling of "gluten-free" products. FDA uses these standards to help define what gluten is and which products have it. Products containing wheat, rye or barley, or hybrids of these grains, do not qualify to be labeled "gluten-free." Additionally, wheat is a common allergen so the FDA requires all products containing wheat to have a warning, as per the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004. More information about gluten-free foods and diet can be obtained through your family physician or local medical clinic.
Gluten-Free Food and Additive Lists
The FDA guidelines for glutenous foods are narrow and other institutions, such as universities and hospitals, have released more extensive lists of gluten-free foods and additives. The MayoClinic.com explains the symptoms of gluten intolerance and celiac disease, which include gastrointestinal pain as well as osteoporosis and neuropathic issues. They also provide a detailed list of foods to avoid as well as gluten-free foods that can be tolerated. The University of Chicago's celiac disease center also has an in-depth Web page about gluten intolerance. The UCCDC site lists additives that are present in food and drugs, in addition to foods that may have gluten. Inactive ingredients in Lexapro can be checked on this site for glutenous content.
Lexapro
The U.S. National Library of Medicine lists Lexapro as a brand name for the drug escitalopram, used for depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which expresses itself though excessive worry and tension that disrupts daily life for six months or longer. Escitalopram is an antidepressant in the class called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. SSRIs increase the serotonin in the brain to help maintain mental health. Escitalopram comes in tablet form and liquid solution to be taken orally daily. Some of the side effects listed for escitalopram are the same as symptoms of celiac disease, such as stomach pain. NLM also has an extensive warning on its Lexapro Web page about the risk of suicide in people taking escitalopram or Lexapro. To learn more about the dangers associated with Lexapro, contact your family physician.
Lexapro and Gluten
Lexapro is a prescription drug manufactured by Forest Laboratories, Inc. The active ingredient in Lexapro is escitalopram oxalate. Inactive tablet ingredients are talc, croscarmellose sodium, microcrystalline cellulose/colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide and polyethylene glycol. The oral solution inactive ingredients are sorbitol, purified water, citric acid, sodium citrate, malic acid, glycerin, propylene glycol, methylparaben, propylparaben and natural peppermint flavor. Looking at the UCCDC list of inactive ingredients, cellulose, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol, sorbitol and malic acid are all listed as gluten-free. The Australian College of General Practitioners hosts a brochure about Lexapro on their website. Dated March 2011, the site states, "Lexapro does not contain gluten." GlutenFreeDrugs.com lists Lexapro as gluten-free, as well.
