If you’re gluten-free, this moment is probably familiar:
You’re sick.
You’re exhausted.
You’re standing in a pharmacy aisle trying to decide whether a cough medicine is worth the risk.
Most medications don’t say “gluten-free.”
But they also don’t say they’re not.
Robitussin is a perfect example of why this feels so confusing, even when you try to do everything right.
Medical Disclaimer: By continuing to read this email or article, you acknowledge that this content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You agree not to rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical guidance or as the sole basis for health-related decisions.
Medication formulations and inactive ingredients may change over time. Always verify current information with your pharmacist or prescribing healthcare provider before use.
Quick Verdict (TL;DR)
Here’s the short version before we unpack it:
✔️ Some Robitussin products are labeled “gluten-free” on the physical box
⚠️ Not all Robitussin products are labeled gluten-free
❌ The manufacturer does not test for gluten or guarantee gluten-free status brand-wide
🧪 Independent NIMA testing found no gluten in the specific products tested (NIMA is not validated for medications and results are informational only)
📄 DailyMed labels and medication guides do not consistently reflect gluten-free labeling
👉 Your answer depends on the exact product, the exact box, and how much certainty you personally need.
What The Manufacturer Told Us:
We contacted Haleon, the manufacturer of Robitussin, to ask directly about gluten.
Here’s their response:
"Robitussin Long-Acting Cough GelCap and most of the Robitussin products do not contain gluten as an ingredient in the formulation.
Please note that Haleon does not test for the presence of gluten and cannot guarantee the absence of trace amounts as a result of third-party manufacturing processes.
Our products are manufactured in GMP compliant facilities with ingredients tested to ensure they consistently meet the intended quality standards prior to use in our products. We follow procedures based on current Quality and Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP’s) standards that prevent and control cross-contamination. Also, cleaning practices are in use to avoid contamination from previous raw materials throughout the manufacturing and packaging process. Furthermore, the raw materials and products components are qualified and monitored through a Supplier Management System program and, all materials and products have an identification number that ensures the identity and traceability of each material including materials used in Robitussin products
Consumers with known allergy to gluten or experience gluten intolerance should consult their doctors for further advice.”
This response is cautious — and intentionally so.
What That Response Actually Means:
“No gluten-containing ingredients” does not mean “gluten-free.”
What Haleon is telling us is:
Gluten is not intentionally added
Gluten testing is not performed
Trace contamination cannot be ruled out
The response applies at a brand level, not product-by-product
This is a legally conservative answer.
It’s not wrong, but it’s incomplete if you’re looking for certainty.
What I Personally Found at Walgreens:
After receiving the manufacturer’s response, I went to Walgreens to look at Robitussin products in person.
And that’s where things got interesting.
👉 Some Robitussin products are labeled “gluten-free” directly on the box.
👉 Others, sitting right next to them, are not.
Same brand.
Same shelf.
Different information.
This explains why people get wildly different answers depending on whether they:
read the box
check DailyMed
email the manufacturer
All three can technically be “correct” and still not tell the whole story.
Why You Won’t See This Clearly on DailyMed:
Here’s an important limitation most people don’t realize:
DailyMed often includes only partial packaging images
Gluten-free statements are usually on side or back panels
Medication guides rarely mention gluten
Gluten-free labeling for drugs is optional, not standardized
So even when a product is labeled gluten-free on the box, that information may never appear in:
SPL documents
Medication handouts
Manufacturer emails
Sometimes, the most accurate information really is the box in your hand.
Why a Medication Product Can Be Labeled “Gluten-Free” Without Gluten Testing:
This part feels contradictory, but it’s common.
In the United States, there are no specific federal regulations requiring medications to be tested for gluten or to meet a standardized definition of “gluten-free” the way foods do.
That means a medication can be labeled “gluten-free” even if the manufacturer does not routinely test it for gluten.
In many cases, the gluten-free label is based on:
Ingredient sourcing
Supplier attestations
Formulation controls
Not analytical gluten testing of the finished product.
So in Robitussin’s case:
Haleon confirms they do not test for gluten
Some Robitussin products are still labeled “gluten-free” on the box
That label reflects how the product is designed and sourced, not how it is tested.
For some people, that level of assurance is sufficient.
For others, especially those with celiac disease or high sensitivity, it can still leave important questions unanswered.
‼️Important Nima Disclaimer (Please Read Carefully)
The NIMA gluten sensor:
Is commonly used for food testing
Has not been third-party validated for use with medications or supplements
Cannot detect gluten below its established detection threshold
Does not provide certification or guarantees
Very important:
The NIMA device has not been third-party validated to accurately measure gluten in medications or vitamins. All results are based upon AllerguardRx testing, and NIMA Partners, Inc. has not been involved or consulted in the results.
Because of this:
NIMA results should be viewed as supplemental information only
They do not override manufacturer statements or labeling
They represent one additional data point, not a definitive answer
Individual reactions and sensitivities vary, and results may not reflect every batch or formulation.
*We will always disclose this clearly and never present NIMA testing as proof of safety.
🧪 Independent Testing with Nima (An Additional Data Point):
Because labeling and manufacturer statements don’t always provide full clarity, we performed independent testing on two Robitussin products using the NIMA gluten sensor.
NIMA Test Results
🧪 No gluten was detected in Robitussin Long-Acting Cough Soft Chews Berry Flavor or Robitussin Honey Cough + Chest Congestion DM.
Robitussin Long-Acting Cough Soft Chews Berry Flavor
Robitussin Honey Cough + Chest Congestion DM
Why We Still Share This Data:
For many gluten-free individuals, especially those who are highly sensitive, more transparent information, when clearly labeled, is better than silence.
Our goal is not to remove all uncertainty.
It’s to provide as many data points as possible, so you can make the decision that’s right for your body.
Why Some of These Robitussin Products are Not in the AllerGuard GF Database (Yet):
You may notice that some of these Robitussin products that are labeled gluten free on the box aren’t currently listed in the AllerGuard gluten-free database.
That’s intentional.
We only include products when:
✔️ They are updated and labeled in DailyMed (DailyMed is the database of medication labeling (package inserts) provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). It provides up-to-date, FDA-approved information on over 154,000 human and animal drugs, covering dosage, contraindications, and adverse reactions.)
✔️ The status is consistent and clearly defined
Right now:
Labeling varies by product
DailyMed does not consistently reflect gluten-free claims
Manufacturer statements are brand-level
Until DailyMed updates with full label verification and documentation, these products will remain outside the database.
Accuracy > speed. Always.
What This Means For You:
If you’re gluten-free, here’s my personal takeaway:
Don’t assume brand-wide safety
Always check the exact box you’re buying
Manufacturer emails, labels, and testing each tell part of the story
Your personal risk tolerance matters
If this feels exhausting, that’s not on you.
The system simply wasn’t designed with gluten-free consumers in mind.
✨ Stop Guessing Every Time You’re Sick
Our database compiles every OTC medication labeled gluten-free on DailyMed and FDA SPL, all in one easy-to-search tool.
With just a few clicks you can:
🔍 Browse all medications labeled gluten free
🔗 Open the official DailyMed drug label + Google Shopping link
💳 Choose how you access it:
• Pro Subscription (7 day free trial)
• One-time Access
No more guessing, no more digging.
Example Database View
Medical Disclaimer: This email is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medication formulas and inactive ingredients may change. Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before taking any medication.
Robitussin® is a registered trademark of Haleon. AllerGuard is not affiliated with or endorsed by Haleon.