Drugs Containing Allergens CPS/PDR

Looking for information on drugs, if they contain your allergen(s)of concern can be more complex than many think. One tool used to determain what allergens are in a drug is the Physician's Drug Reference in United States (PDR) and Compendium Pharmceudicals and Soccialties (CPS) in Canada. Both Canadian and American pharmasists and doctors usually have accesses to these directories of FDA or Health Canada approved drugs, they do not include all over the counter medications, like those often found at health food stores. In the past I have relied on pharmasists to look up a drug and see if it has allergens of concern. This week I discovered that my city libary had both the PDR (year 2011) and CPS (year 2014). These books are only one tool, contacting manufactuer talking to doctors, pharmasist and sometimes allergists may be nessisary to determain if a drug is right for you.

As a sample, I looked into egg in Rabies Vaccines.

Canada Compendium Pharmceudicals and Soccialties (CPS) 2014
Drug information only available to subscribers www.e-cps.ca

Has a section of Non medical ingredients such as alcohol, gluten lactose, peanut oil, soybean and soy lecithin in medications, even information on dyes used to imprint names on capsules. In my opinion this section under represents reactions from milk protein in lactose in medications. It does mention inhalers containing lactose, and maternal breast creams containing peanut oil. It does not include corn being a ingredient in drugs. The CPS did not always say inhalers contained milk link.

Rabavert (Rabies Vaccine) no clear guidelines for egg allergic, but clearly states how eggs are used to make the vaccine. No recommendations regarding Epinephrine.

Imovax (Rabies Vaccine) lists purified chick embryo culture, also suggests possible danger for egg allergic.

United States Physicians Desk Reference (PDR) 2011
Partial drug information available on line www.pdr.net more information available to subscribers on line.

Does not have a section on non medical ingedience.

Rabavert no clear guidelines for egg allergic, but clearly states how eggs are used to make the vaccine. Recommends Epinephrine injection must be immediately available should allergic reactions occur.

Both PDR and CPS

Suggest carefully weighing risks of rabies vaccines for allergic reactions for egg allergic (and other allergens) with the possibility of contracting rabies from a bite or scratch with a possibly infected animal. Both suggest booster shots before exposure for people at risk such as those who work with wild animals.

Compairing a 2011 edition book with a 2014 edition book, is not fair, but this is what was availible at my city libary. Not all city libaries have these books. Your pharmacist and doctor should have up to date copies.
USA Vaccines, Canadian Vaccines


The CPS has a section near the front of the book on allergies in medications, covering such topics as egg, peanut oil and lactose in medications, the American PDR does not have a section on his issue.

Chemurgy and Allergens Blog Posts Treatments That Contain Allergens

Parasitic Treatments That Contain Walnut Oil
Throat Spray That Contain Nuts
Pain Relief products That Contain Coconuts
Pain Relief Products That Contain Nut Oils
Cellulite Treatments That Contain Nut Oils
Scalp Treatments That Contain Nut Oils
Mother's Placenta Products That Contain Nut Oils
Psoriasis Treatments That Contain Nut Oils
Sting Relief Products That Contain Coconut Oils
Acute Malnutrition Aids Contains Peanuts
Varicose Vein Products That Contain Nut Oils
Teething Products That Contain Nut Oils
Breastfeeding Nipple Creams With Nut Oils
Nasel Products That Contain Sesame Oils
Birthing Items That Contain Nuts
Chest Rubs With Nut Oils
Nasel Products Containing Nut Oils
Eczema Treatments That Contain Nuts
Poison Ivy Treatments That Have Nut Oils
Hemmorrhoid Treatments Containing Nuts
Cold Sore Treatments That Contain Nuts
Wart Treatments Made With Nut Oils
Ear Drops Containing Nuts
Cradle Cap Products With Nut Oils
Lice Treatments That Contain Nuts
Corn in Medical Supplies
Shrimp in First Aid Supplies
Respirator Kits That Contain Banana Oil

It is up to you to decide what is safe. More Information:
Type and Contents of Vaccines Currently Approved for Use in Canada
Prescriptions, Over-the-Counter Medications and Treatments Containing Nuts also Treatments Made From Egg, Sesame and Coconuts.

Don't Kill the Birthday Girl

Some bloggers and others in the allergy community have referred to "my" chemurgy, as if I am the only person connecting allergy concerns with the science of chemurgy. It is nice to see others make the connection. The main focus of Don't Kill the Birthday Girl is her stories of being an allergic girl with multiple food allergies from childhood to adulthood, mixed with science and her research of allergy and anaphylaxis.

I am currently reading Don't Kill the Birthday Girl Tales From an Allergic Life by Sandra Beasley. I've read a few allergy books in my day, and I'm enjoying this one more than most I've read. One thing I liked about this book is that it talks about Chemurgy in the book's chapter on King Soy and the Body Politic. Sandra Beasley in this Chapter mostly talks about the history of chemurgy, how George Washington Carver created both recipes and products from soy and peanuts. She also talks about Carvers shared interests and friendships with both Henry Ford and Harvey Kellogg, a topic I am very interested in see my Chemurgy Page and History Page for my research on this subject. For present day uses of chemurgy see my pages on Industrial and Household Items Made From Nuts and Industrial and Household Items Made From Soy

Another product from this book is Mortadella Portabella Sausage and that it contains pistachios. I added more meats with nuts to my list of Unusual Foods that Contain Nuts along with gums, honey, teas and mustard that contain nuts. The issue of eggs in rabbies vaccinescame up in the book, an issue I was not aware of till recently see my Prescriptions, Over-the-Counter Medications and Treatments Containing Egg

The book's stories reminds me of my own childhood memories, being different and also the allergic kid. Eating different foods, being different in school. Having different birthday cake from my own guests. Excitement over a new food, only ordering a drink at a restaurant all things I've gone through as an allergic kid now adult, and as a Mother of allergic child, have also faced. Her story of disliking a food and feeling that it was a luxury only others could afford, was something I cn relate to. Sandra Beasley also talks of empowing herself as she became responsible for her allergies, from teen issues, university, into adult relationships. Accidently ordering a shot that contained milk, then later in her book another drink she turns down with a secret ingredient, that turns out to be one of her allergies. See my list of alcohol products that contain nuts. Her story of faux pizza remined me of one of my own father's creations. She adds humor to her own stories being the allergic girl, mixed with science.

Visit Sandra Beasley's blog at Chicks Dig Poetry to learn more about her.

Full disclosure this is an unpaid unsolicited review, in fact I borrowed it from my city library! This book briefly discusses chemurgy and not the main point of the book, but I was impressed because it is one of the few that talks about the connection to allergy concerns, with the science of chemurgy. More on what Others Have to say about Non Food Items Made From Allergens