Data Sources
AllergenMaps is built on official FDA data combined with proprietary allergen categorization research. Here are the sources that power our database.
Data Sources
openFDA Drug Label API (FDA)
Primary data source (open.fda.gov/apis/drug/label). We ingest FDA drug label data covering hundreds of thousands of medications 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 Structured Product Labeling (NIH / NLM)
Secondary data source (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov) providing structured SPL label filings with organized inactive ingredient sections for cross-referencing.
How we use it: Used to cross-reference and supplement our primary data for broader medication coverage.
FDA Inactive Ingredient Database (IID)
Official FDA reference 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.
FDA GSRS & RxNorm (NIH / NLM)
Substance and naming references. FDA GSRS (gsrs.ncats.nih.gov) supplies UNII codes and substance synonyms; RxNorm (NLM) provides normalized drug naming and RxCUI codes.
How we use it: Used to enrich ingredient aliases and normalize drug naming across sources.
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 map inactive ingredients to a broad range of allergen categories, including dairy, corn, gluten, dyes, and more, using a multi-stage standardization pipeline that combines rule-based matching, fuzzy matching, and expert review. Our category classifications are informed by the FDA Inactive Ingredient Guide and clinical literature.
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 Terms of Use.