Celiac Disease is a lifelong, digestive disorder affecting children and adults. When people with Celiac Disease eat foods that contain gluten, it creates an immune-mediated toxic reaction that causes damage to the small intestine and does not allow food to be properly absorbed. Even small amounts of gluten in foods can affect those with Celiac Disease and cause health problems.
The following study states that pharmacists can play an important role by identifying patients who may have Celiac Disease, providing information for gluten-free foods and pharmaceutical products, and encouraging adherence to the gluten-free diet.
Many commonly used medications, bulk chemicals, and even flavors may contain gluten, and some probiotics contain casein. Compounded preparations that are free of gluten and casein can solve problems for sensitive individuals. Methylcellulose is a suspending agent that does not contain gluten or casein, and does not feed yeast. Dark chocolate is gluten-free and casein-free, and can be used as a flavor for medications.
The pharmacists at Bayview Pharmacy have the ability to compound medications into oral suspensions, that are gluten and casein free, for children suffering from Celiac Disease.