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PhrasesAt the PharmacyAvete farmaci senza glutine?
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Avete farmaci senza glutine?

Do you have gluten-free medications?

Pronunciation

glu-TI-ne — three syllables. Stress on second. 'Glutine' — the 'g' is hard before 'l'.

When to use it

Ask if you have coeliac disease ('celiachia'). Some medications contain gluten as an excipient — a celiac patient must avoid these.

What it means

'Senza glutine' = gluten-free. 'Avete' is the plural formal form of 'avere'. In Italy, celiac disease ('celiachia') is taken very seriously — Italy has one of the highest rates of coeliac diagnosis in Europe. The Italian Celiac Association (AIC) provides a 'Prontuario degli alimenti' and there is also a drug gluten reference.

Variations

Sono celiaco. Questo farmaco contiene glutine?

I am coeliac. Does this medication contain gluten?

Direct question about a specific drug — pharmacist can check the package insert

Avete la versione gluten-free di questo antidolorifico?

Do you have the gluten-free version of this painkiller?

Some brands offer gluten-free formulations

Ho la celiachia. Devo sempre controllare gli eccipienti.

I have coeliac disease. I always need to check the excipients.

'Eccipienti' = excipients — inactive ingredients that may contain gluten

Mini Dialogue

— Sono celiaco. Questo farmaco contiene glutine? — Controllo sul foglio illustrativo. Deve guardare alla voce 'eccipienti'. — Eccolo. C'è amido di frumento. — Allora sì, contiene glutine. Le trovo un'alternativa senza amido di frumento. — Grazie, faccio sempre fatica a leggere questi foglietti. — È complicato. La aiuto sempre volentieri.

— I am coeliac. Does this medication contain gluten? — Let me check the package insert. You need to look under 'excipients'. — Here it is. There is wheat starch. — Then yes, it contains gluten. I will find you an alternative without wheat starch. — Thank you, I always struggle to read these leaflets. — It is complicated. I am always happy to help.

Cultural Note

Italy has the highest rate of diagnosed coeliac disease in Europe — about 1% of the population, with many more undiagnosed. The SSN provides free gluten-free foods ('alimenti senza glutine') up to a monthly budget for diagnosed coeliacs. Italian pharmacies stock a range of gluten-free products and food supplements. The AIC app helps identify safe products and medications.