Medication Allergen Content Assessment
None of these three medications—Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate), Intestinex, or cetirizine—contain peanut components in their formulations.
Augmentin (Amoxicillin/Clavulanate)
Augmentin does not contain peanut-derived ingredients. The medication is a beta-lactam antibiotic combination that contains amoxicillin trihydrate and potassium clavulanate as active ingredients, with standard pharmaceutical excipients such as microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, and colloidal silicon dioxide—none of which are peanut-derived. 1
The primary allergen concern with Augmentin relates to penicillin/beta-lactam hypersensitivity, not food allergens. 1
Cetirizine
Cetirizine formulations do not contain peanut components. This second-generation antihistamine contains cetirizine hydrochloride as the active ingredient with typical pharmaceutical excipients that do not include peanut-derived materials. 1
Cetirizine is commonly used in the management of allergic conditions, including as adjunctive therapy in patients with food allergies, and would be contraindicated if it contained peanut allergens. 1
Intestinex
Intestinex (a probiotic supplement) does not contain peanut components. This product typically contains bacterial cultures (probiotics) with standard excipients, none of which are peanut-derived. 1
However, patients with severe peanut allergy should verify the specific formulation with the manufacturer, as probiotic supplements may vary in their inactive ingredients depending on the brand and formulation. 1
Critical Safety Considerations for Peanut-Allergic Patients
All patients with documented peanut allergy must carry epinephrine autoinjectors (0.15 mg for children, standard adult dose) regardless of which medications they are taking, as accidental peanut exposure remains the primary risk. 1, 2
The greatest risk of allergic reaction comes from direct ingestion of peanut-containing foods, not from medications, as pharmaceutical-grade excipients undergo rigorous purity standards. 3
Verify packaging components separately: While the medications themselves don't contain peanut, some product packaging (bottle caps, droppers) could theoretically contain latex, which is a separate allergen concern for latex-allergic individuals. 1
Patients should maintain strict peanut avoidance in their diet and carefully read food labels, as this poses far greater risk than pharmaceutical products. 4, 3, 5
When to Suspect Medication-Related Allergen Content
Peanut oil (highly refined) is occasionally used as an excipient in some medications, but highly refined peanut oil is generally considered safe as the allergenic proteins are removed during processing. 6
If a patient experiences unexplained allergic symptoms after starting a new medication, contact the manufacturer directly to obtain detailed excipient information, though peanut contamination in pharmaceuticals is exceptionally rare. 5