Fillers are substances in medications that don’t contribute to their therapeutic effect. They are often added to enhance characteristics like color, flavor, or texture. However, certain fillers can cause unwanted side effects, which is something physicians take into account when prescribing medications.
Many over-the-counter and commercial drugs contain a variety of inactive ingredients, including fillers, dyes, parabens, phthalates, talc, lactose, and gluten. While most people can tolerate these in small amounts, others may experience allergic reactions or other adverse effects. If you’ve tried multiple medications without success, it’s possible that a different combination of active ingredients and dosages—without unnecessary fillers—could lead to a more effective treatment.