Does atorvastatin contain wheat or gluten as an excipient?

We cross-check each atorvastatin product label against four data sources: DailyMed (FDA Structured Product Labels), the European Medicines Agency centrally-authorised medicines database, the Plogsted curated gluten-free drug list, and the 2024 Mangione et al. pediatric pharmacy NDC analysis. Inactive ingredients are scanned against a 146-entry red-flag dictionary covering wheat, barley, rye, malt, source-ambiguous starches, and FDA gluten-free attestation phrases. Mostly yes — but worth a quick call to the manufacturer for some generics. Of 18 product labels we checked, 10 are clean, 3 are confirmed gluten-free by the maker, and 5 contain an inactive ingredient (typically a source-ambiguous starch) whose botanical origin isn't fully disclosed. None contained confirmed gluten.

Can different manufacturers' generic versions of atorvastatin have different gluten status?

Yes. Generics in the United States must use the same active ingredient as the brand, but they are not required to use the same inactive ingredients. Two generics of atorvastatin from different manufacturers can use entirely different starch sources, binders, and fillers. A pharmacy may also switch which manufacturer it dispenses between fills without notifying you. Each manufacturer-specific entry below corresponds to a separately-filed product label.

DailyMed checked live · reference data updated August 19, 2026 · 18 product labels screened

Is atorvastatin gluten-free?

By Ned Walsch

Founder and maintainer of Gluten Screen

Updated August 20, 2026

Not clinically reviewed — verify with your pharmacist

Looks mostly clean — worth verifying with the maker. Mostly yes — but worth a quick call to the manufacturer for some generics. Of 18 product labels we checked, 10 are clean, 3 are confirmed gluten-free by the maker, and 5 contain an inactive ingredient (typically a source-ambiguous starch) whose botanical origin isn't fully disclosed. None contained confirmed gluten.

Drug context

About atorvastatin

Atorvastatin is a statin used to lower LDL cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk, sold under brand names including Lipitor.

Why this matters

Different manufacturers, different ingredients

Generics of atorvastatin use the same active ingredient, but they aren't required to use the same inactive ingredients. Your pharmacy may switch which manufacturer they dispense between fills, sometimes without telling you. The list below shows each manufacturer's product label as a separate entry, because that's the granularity that actually matters when you're celiac.

The labels

The 18 we checked

01

Mylan manufacturer-attested gluten-free

Plogsted list · Amlodipine Besylate -Atorvastatin-all strengths [Mylan] · label dated 2019-04-23

Manufacturer confirmed gluten-free (Plogsted 2019-04-23)
View source label →
02

Mylan manufacturer-attested gluten-free

Plogsted list · Atorvastatin all strengths [Mylan] · label dated 2019-04-23

Manufacturer confirmed gluten-free (Plogsted 2019-04-23)
View source label →
03

Mylan manufacturer-attested gluten-free

Plogsted list · Atorvastatin-Amlodipine all strengths [Mylan] · label dated 2019-04-23

Manufacturer confirmed gluten-free (Plogsted 2019-04-23)
View source label →
04

Ranbaxy worth a call to confirm

Plogsted list · Amlodipine Besylate -Atorvastatin-all strengths [Ranbaxy] · label dated 2019-04-23
View source label →
05

Apotex worth a call to confirm

Plogsted list · Atorvastatin all strengths [Apotex] · label dated 2019-04-23
View source label →
06

Dr. Reddy’s worth a call to confirm

Plogsted list · Atorvastatin all strengths EXCEPT 10, 20, 40, 80 MG TAB [Dr. Reddy’s] · label dated 2019-04-23
View source label →
07

Dr. Reddy’s worth a call to confirm

Plogsted list · Atorvastatin 10, 20, 40 mg Tab [Dr. Reddy’s] · label dated 2019-04-23
View source label →
08

Dr. Reddy’s worth a call to confirm

Plogsted list · Atorvastatin 80 mg Tab [Dr. Reddy’s] · label dated 2019-04-23
View source label →
09

Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. nothing flagged on the label

US label (DailyMed) · ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM TABLET, FILM COATED [MYLAN PHARMACEUTICALS INC.] · label dated Aug 17, 2026

Inactive ingredients ANHYDROUS LACTOSE · ARGININE · CROSCARMELLOSE SODIUM · HYDROXYPROPYL CELLULOSE, UNSPECIFIED · MAGNESIUM STEARATE · MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE · POLYVINYL ALCOHOL, UNSPECIFIED · SILICON DIOXIDE · SODIUM CARBONATE · TALC · TITANIUM DIOXIDE
View source label →
10

AX Pharmaceutical Corp nothing flagged on the label

US label (DailyMed) · ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM TRIHYDRATE POWDER [AX PHARMACEUTICAL CORP] · label dated Aug 12, 2026
View source label →
11

Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. nothing flagged on the label

US label (DailyMed) · ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM TABLET, FILM COATED [TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA, INC.] · label dated Jul 24, 2026

Inactive ingredients CALCIUM CARBONATE · CROSCARMELLOSE SODIUM · HYDROXYPROPYL CELLULOSE (110000 WAMW) · HYPROMELLOSE 2910 (6 MPA.S) · LACTOSE MONOHYDRATE · MAGNESIUM STEARATE · MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE · POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 6000 · POLYSORBATE 80 · TALC · TITANIUM DIOXIDE
View source label →
12

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Inc nothing flagged on the label

US label (DailyMed) · ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM TABLET [DR. REDDY'S LABORATORIES INC] · label dated Jul 24, 2026

Inactive ingredients CALCIUM CARBONATE · Croscarmellose Sodium · Hydroxypropyl Cellulose, Unspecified · Hypromelloses · Microcrystalline Cellulose · Polyethylene Glycol, Unspecified · Polysorbate 80 · Talc · lactose monohydrate · magnesium stearate · titanium dioxide
View source label →
13

Direct_Rx nothing flagged on the label

US label (DailyMed) · ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM TABLET, FILM COATED [DIRECT_RX] · label dated Jul 16, 2026

Inactive ingredients CALCIUM CARBONATE · CELLULOSE, MICROCRYSTALLINE · CROSCARMELLOSE SODIUM · HYDROXYPROPYL CELLULOSE (90000 WAMW) · HYPROMELLOSE 2910 (6 MPA.S) · LACTOSE MONOHYDRATE · MAGNESIUM STEARATE · POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 8000 · POLYSORBATE 80 · TALC · TITANIUM DIOXIDE
View source label →
14

Macleods Pharmaceuticals Limited nothing flagged on the label

US label (DailyMed) · ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM TABLET [MACLEODS PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED] · label dated Jul 16, 2026

Inactive ingredients CALCIUM CARBONATE · CELLULOSE, MICROCRYSTALLINE · CROSCARMELLOSE SODIUM · HYDROXYPROPYL CELLULOSE · HYPROMELLOSES · LACTOSE MONOHYDRATE · MAGNESIUM STEARATE · POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL, UNSPECIFIED · POLYSORBATE 80 · TALC · TITANIUM DIOXIDE
View source label →
15

Viatris Specialty LLC nothing flagged on the label

US label (DailyMed) · LIPITOR (ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM) TABLET, FILM COATED [VIATRIS SPECIALTY LLC] · label dated Jul 15, 2026

Inactive ingredients CALCIUM CARBONATE · CANDELILLA WAX · CROSCARMELLOSE SODIUM · HYDROXYPROPYL CELLULOSE (1600000 WAMW) · HYPROMELLOSE, UNSPECIFIED · LACTOSE MONOHYDRATE · MAGNESIUM STEARATE · MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE · POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL, UNSPECIFIED · POLYSORBATE 80 · TALC · TITANIUM DIOXIDE
View source label →
16

NORTHSTAR RX LLC nothing flagged on the label

US label (DailyMed) · ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM TABLET, FILM COATED [NORTHSTAR RX LLC] · label dated Jul 10, 2026

Inactive ingredients CALCIUM ACETATE · CROSCARMELLOSE SODIUM · HYDROXYPROPYL CELLULOSE (1600000 WAMW) · HYPROMELLOSE, UNSPECIFIED · MAGNESIUM STEARATE · MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE · POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 8000 · SILICON DIOXIDE · SODIUM CARBONATE · TITANIUM DIOXIDE
View source label →
17

Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc. nothing flagged on the label

US label (DailyMed) · ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM TABLET, FILM COATED [TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.] · label dated Jul 02, 2026

Inactive ingredients CALCIUM CARBONATE · CROSCARMELLOSE SODIUM · HYPROMELLOSE 2910 (6 MPA.S) · LOW-SUBSTITUTED HYDROXYPROPYL CELLULOSE, UNSPECIFIED · MAGNESIUM ALUMINOMETASILICATE · MAGNESIUM STEARATE · MALTOSE MONOHYDRATE · MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE · POLYSORBATE 80 · TITANIUM DIOXIDE · TRIETHYL CITRATE
View source label →
18

St. Mary's Medical Park Pharmacy nothing flagged on the label

US label (DailyMed) · ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM TABLET, FILM COATED [ST. MARY'S MEDICAL PARK PHARMACY] · label dated Jul 01, 2026

Inactive ingredients CALCIUM CARBONATE · CROSCARMELLOSE SODIUM · HYDROXYPROPYL CELLULOSE (110000 WAMW) · HYPROMELLOSE 2910 (6 MPA.S) · LACTOSE MONOHYDRATE · MAGNESIUM STEARATE · MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE 101 · MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE 102 · POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 8000 · POLYSORBATE 80 · TALC · TITANIUM DIOXIDE
View source label →

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Background

What “gluten in a medication” actually means

Gluten enters drugs through their excipients — the inactive ingredients used to bind, coat, fill, or stabilize the dose. The main concern is wheat starch as a filler. Source-ambiguous starches (plain “starch”, pregelatinized starch, sodium starch glycolate, modified starch) get flagged for verification because their botanical origin isn't always disclosed on the label.

The 2024 Mangione et al. pediatric NDC analysis (689 NDCs across the top 100 pediatric medications) found 1.5% contained gluten outright; another 25.7% couldn't be confirmed either way. Liquid and oral-suspension formulations carry disproportionate risk because wheat starch is a common thickener. Full methodology →

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