Is Senna gluten-free?

[FatEdi]

We've been invaded by threadworms! Apparently 4:10 kids have them. I chose the OTC anti-worm medicine that had the least number of ingredients. My son, who was diagnosed as a coeliac last year became very unwell after taking the medicine. He started vomiting and got diarrhoea and the ambulance had to be called. Is senna gluten-free?

[coeliacvegan]

I thought senna came from the plant of the same name and would therefore imagine it to be gluten-free. As you no doubt know, though, gluten can hide in many guises on content labels and is commonly used as a bulking/binding agent in many medications.

If you haven't already, I would contact the manufacturer of the medicine and ask whether the product contains any gluten. If you are able to pinpoint the offending ingredient, at least you'll know to look out for it in the future.

I do hope your son feels better soon. It sounds like a horrible and frightening experience for all of you.

[Mazz]

Senna is a laxative, that you take to help you go to the tiolet, not a binder, Senna is derived from a plant and I think it come from Egypt. But, I would take my child to the Doctors if it had worms, as the Doctors know the child is a coeliac, and would prescribe the right medication to deal with the problem

I do hope your son is now better, I am also a coeliac and I look and read everything, if I am not sure, I do not put it in my mouth

[FatEdi in reply to Mazz]

Thanks both of you. I phoned the GP before giving it to him to check it would be ok. She said yes. I took him back when he wasn't and she says its bad luck. Maybe maybe not. She also said all medicines have to say if they contain any allergens but reading posts on this website it appears not. He's not getting the follow-up dose that's for sure!

[silkwood]

We have had worms too.As a teacher and parent of two children it was an occupational hazard.We were in France last time.How do you explain that to a french chemist in French let alone gluten free as well. We demonstrated with our hands-not a pretty sight.

I remember the senna from years ago .Gave me the runs.

[FionaGFG Administrator]

FatEdi - All over the counter medicines should be checked by the Pharmacist to see if they are gluten free. They DO NOT have to declare they have gluten in them. Often it can be hard to see if they do from the leaflet inside - so the Pharmacist can all the producer for you to confirm. There are many starches in medicines and unlike in food labelling they do not declare if the starch is from potato, wheat, corn etc. So we'd always recommend you get any medicines for kids on prescription as these medicines are all classified as being gluten free. And remember Drs know a lot of things but they don't know all the inside outs of drugs. Pharmacists are the experts on this.

[FatEdi in reply to FionaGFG]

Thx for the info. Will get from GP in future!