QUIX: Magnesium Stearate and Dicalcium Phosphate

On a previous post (last month...http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/579280?post_id=post_3204884) Quix had mentioned that an adverse reaction I was having to vitamins might be due to magnesium stearate, a common binder used in making tablets.  So I have been looking into this, comparing ingredients of vitamins and medications.  Oh, and thanks Quix for the info last month.

The Vit-D tablet I was taking that caused the adverse reaction contained dicalcium phosphate, which appears in many tablets as well.  My regular vitamins had both magnesium stearate and dicalcium phosphate.  I also looked into Provgil ingredients, which I did not feel well when taking :o( and it contains magnesium stearate.  It seems that these binders have been causing the adverse reaction, if these binders were listed first or second on the ingredients list.

In order to avoid these binders in vitamins I have found that taking children's gummy vitamins works!  I take Spiderman Super Hero vitamins and they work quite well...soon I'll be shooting webs out of my wrists.

In my so called "research" I came across some articles about a link between magnesium stearate and adverse effects on immune system.  Quix, do you know anything about magnesium stearate and the effects on T-cells?

Cycling Super-Hero,
Wanna :o)
        

[Quixotic1]

I know zip about the last thing.  Do they make Gummy Bear Provigil?

[Fluffysmom]

Cool, thanks for the information!  I have had troubles in the past with using tablet forms of medication, or the generic form.  I figured it had something to do with the fillers; now I have an idea what to look for!

I have had to get a special authorization to use a brand name drug because of an adverse reaction to the generic form.  I was scoffed at by the pharmacist and the insurance company, but my PCP went to bat for me, and it is approved for life.

Another time, we thought it would be a good idea to get a higher dose of on of my meds and cut it in half, to save money.  I had the same adverse reaction, and went back to the lower dose capsules. Saving a few bucks by being miserable is no bargain!

I also found out that most Vitamin C is made with Ascorbic Acid, which is made from corn, which I am allergic too.  I discovered this when I was taking large doses of Vitamin C under doctor's orders, and started itching all over and getting some rash.  I did some research, and BINGO!  I found some Vitamin C that is made from Sago Palm at a health food store, and the problem was solved.

So, thanks again.

Quix, if you find Gummy Bear Provigil, I want to try one!  I get the grape flavored! :o)

Kathy

[Want to feel well!!!]

Kathy...I am glad this could be of help to someone.  Looking at those labels can really be an eye opener.  Even children's chewable vitamins have the binders I need to avoid.

If you are allergic to corn you must have to check every label out there...corn is in almost everything these days!  How exhausting!

Now I know what to look for in medications if I cannot tolerate them.  When I was taking Provgil I was so annoyed that it made me feel awful when so many people were praising it.  It just didn't help my fatigue.  Fortunately now I do not have fatigue as my medications are working so well and I am still feeling absolutely wonderful.

I wish all medications came in the "gummy" form!  They taste better and anything with "gummy" in front of it sounds better.  (Don't even go into the child issues...we all need to use common sense.)

I was buying my Vit-D over the Internet...gel caps...but I found some 1000 IU gel caps at Walgreens...clap clap!

I see my immunologist on the 5th and I am going in with a plethora of questions and observations for him, and I am hoping he will be as attentive as he has been in the passed, now that I look like a success case for him.

Wishing you well,
Wanna :o)