My son is very sensitive to propylene glycol. His face gets horribly red, blotchy, and dry like sandpaper. Almost like he's been burned. No amount of lotion will moisturize the skin. I have figured out how to avoid it in foods and other obvious places, although I still have much to learn.
He started taking an anti-depressent and I noticed his face getting worse and worse. I kept asking the pharmacist if it had PG in it and was told no. When I finally looked up the inactive ingredients myself, I discovered it has Polyethylene Glycol and thanks to blogs and websites like this I've learned that they are very similar, so no wonder he was having a reaction. Apparently these two chemicals are found in almost all extended release tablets and capsules. We tried switching to a different antidepressant and it simply is not working. After much research I have found ONE manufacturer that makes the medicine he needs with no PG or PEG. BUT, it has many ingredients I'm not familiar with and don't know if they will cause similar reactions. Could someone PLEASE tell me if any of these are related to PG or PEG and could cause reactions similar to PG? These are the inactive ingredients listed (in order): HYPROMELLOSE, MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE, TALC, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, AMMONIUM LAURETH-5 SULFATE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, FERRIC OXIDE RED, POLYVINYL ALCOHOL, UNSPECIFIED, FERRIC OXIDE YELLOW.
Desperately hoping that he might be able to tolerate this formulation. Thank you!!
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This article might help you understand all the binding ingredients sciencedirect.com/science/a... We finally got my husband's blood pressure medicine compounded since all the pharm meds he can't take. I was surprised that it didn't cost much. In my studies a compound is made, tested and patent and FDA approved. Then the pharm manufactures buy it and add their binding agents creating a pill. Then the Pharm send out salesmans to Doctors and pharmacists to sell their product and get a kickback or you can buy stock in it. Some people can tolerate them and some can't. I did read about a person in Arizona that was patch tested postitive for microcrystalline celullose. The skin condition your son suffers you might want to talk with your local compound pharmacist, they can make a cream or medicines for him to help get relief. The medicine they made my husband is the blood pressure medicine compound only mixed in almond oil, he seems to be handling it well, however now he is going through withdraws from the pharm meds. He is suffering flu like symptoms. Note: Our Insurance will not pay for compound medicines they say they are not FDA approved even though they are accredited pharmacy. I wonder how the manufactures are FDA approved?
Hang in there! Keep looking! Your going the right way.
Thanks jacquie. I feel like every direction I turn I'm running into roadblocks. Really discouraged. I did ask about compounding the particular medicine he needs to take, but was told they could not do it (I think they said the drug was too new?). I have not heard of compounding medication into lotions or oils to externally apply to the skin. That's helpful to know. We're going to try the new medicine w/out PG and hold our breath and see how it goes. The pharmacy had to special order it, so hopefully we'll know in a few days. If you're the praying type, I need all the help I can get - that this medicine will work and not cause reactions with his skin. Take care!
Our compound pharmacist said all the doctors needs to do is write what drug they want to prescribe and write the word compound beside it and they will make it, creams, gels, liquid medicines. I understand they can get all compounds, I'm confused why they told you they can't. Every compound is available if it is FDA has approved it.
There are many names for PG and PEG check "life without polyethylene glycol" website for the list, it's dated 2015, so many more since then. They have great tips on how to talk to doctors and make notes. I now have binders! Also watch out for Polysorbate 80, and any name that has eth in it could be a polymer. If I don't know all the ingredients or even able to pronounce the ingredient don't buy it.
May God pour down his blessing on you and direct you in truth.
Also meant to share a product that was recommended to me by a naturopathic doctor who specializes in skin issues. When my son's face reacts to PG it gets so horribly dry, like sandpaper, that no amount of lotion will soak into it. I now apply this speciality serum that I buy off Amazon and - for us - it's like magic. It sounds like an "as seen on TV gimmick" - oxygen for skin cells - but all I can say is that it works! Takes a couple of days, but it's the one thing that get's his face back on track.
I'm allergic to both and have reacted to several medications or supplements after being told they didn't contain PEG or PG by the pharmacist and also by the drug companies that make them. The drug companies source ingredients from other places and were not aware themselves that their product contained PEG/PG. The only way to be completely certain is to contact the body where you live that controls drugs/ supplements and ask them, where I live PEG and PG aren't "declarable excipients" and are considered "proprietary ingredients" so even the companies that make the medications may not know of their presence. Unfortunately PEG and PG are in some foods, polysorbate is related to PEG and is in some coconut milks and I've found PG in some sauces. Good luck!
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