Data Sources
AllergenMaps is built on publicly available FDA data combined with proprietary allergen categorization research. Here are the sources that power our database.
Data Sources
openFDA Drug Label API
Primary data source. Provides access to ~200,000 drug labels with inactive ingredient lists, manufacturer information, NDC codes, and pharmacologic classifications.
How we use it: We regularly pull drug labels to extract inactive ingredients and keep our database current.
DailyMed (SPL)
Secondary data source from the National Library of Medicine. Provides Structured Product Labeling (SPL) XML files with organized inactive ingredient sections.
How we use it: Being integrated to cross-reference and supplement openFDA data for broader medication coverage.
FDA Inactive Ingredient Guide (IIG)
The official FDA database of approved inactive ingredients for use in pharmaceutical products, organized by route of administration.
How we use it: Reference for verifying approved inactive ingredients and their usage in pharmaceutical products.
NIH Pillbox (Archived)
Archived NIH dataset containing pill identification data including ingredients, imprint codes, and visual characteristics.
How we use it: Historical reference for medication identification and ingredient verification.
Academic References
"Inactive" ingredients in oral medications
Reker, D. et al. — Science Translational Medicine (2019)
Landmark study finding that 93% of medications contain at least one potential allergen and that a majority of medications contain ingredients capable of causing adverse reactions.
Medications and Celiac Disease
Plogsted, S. — UVA GI Nutrition (2015)
Clinical review of medication excipients that affect celiac disease patients, including wheat starch and other gluten-containing fillers.
Our Methodology
Allergen-to-Excipient Mapping
We use a proprietary system to map inactive ingredients to 30+ allergen categories including dairy, corn, gluten, dyes, PEG, gelatin, soy, and more. Our categorizations are informed by clinical literature, the FDA Inactive Ingredient Guide, and expert review.
Every ingredient match goes through a multi-stage verification process to ensure accuracy. Uncertain matches are flagged for manual expert review before being published.
For questions about our data methodology, see our About page or Disclaimer.