Medication Considerations for Vegans and Vegetarians: Hidden Animal Ingredients

Most people assume their medications are just chemicals and water-nothing more. But for vegans and vegetarians, that’s not true. Hidden animal ingredients are hiding in plain sight: in your capsules, your supplements, even your daily pills. And unless you ask the right questions, you might be taking something that goes against your values without even knowing it.

What’s Really in Your Pills?

Gelatin is the biggest offender. Around 90% of capsules-those little soft shells you swallow-are made from gelatin, which comes from the bones, skin, and connective tissues of pigs, cows, and chickens. You won’t find it listed as “pig parts” on the label. It’s just “gelatin.” Same with magnesium stearate. About 65% of the time, it’s made from animal fat. It’s used to help pills hold their shape and flow through manufacturing machines. But it’s still fat from slaughtered animals.

Vitamin D3 is another surprise. Most supplements use lanolin, a waxy substance pulled from sheep’s wool. It’s processed into vitamin D3, then put into pills. But you don’t need animal products to get Vitamin D3. Plant-based versions made from lichen or green algae exist-and they work just as well. The difference? One is ethical. The other isn’t.

Then there’s glycerin. It’s in cough syrups, creams, and pills. It can come from vegetable oil… or animal fat. Stearic acid (E570) is another one. It’s a common filler, and it’s often sourced from cow, sheep, or pig fat. Squalane, found in some topical meds and supplements, is sometimes pulled from shark liver oil. And collagen? That’s literally animal skin and bones boiled down into powder.

These Medications Contain Animal Tissue-Not Just Fillers

Some drugs aren’t just hiding animal ingredients in their fillers-they’re made from them. These aren’t optional. They’re the active ingredient.

Premarin, a hormone therapy for menopause, is made from the urine of pregnant mares. The horses are kept in confined stalls to collect their urine. There’s a synthetic version called estradiol, which is animal-free, but many doctors still prescribe Premarin by default.

Armour Thyroid, used for hypothyroidism, comes from dried pig thyroid glands. It’s not a filler. It’s the medicine. The synthetic alternative, levothyroxine, is vegan. But if you’re used to Armour and feel better on it, switching isn’t always simple.

Heparin, a blood thinner, comes from pig intestines. There’s no vegan substitute yet. If you’re on heparin for a clotting disorder, you can’t just swap it out. The same goes for pancrelipase (Creon), which helps digest food in people with pancreatic insufficiency. It’s made from pig pancreas. No plant-based version exists.

Propofol, used in anesthesia, contains egg phospholipids. Fish oil supplements like Vascepa are made from anchovies and sardines. Even though they’re called “omega-3s,” they’re still fish.

What Can You Actually Replace?

The good news? Many animal-based ingredients have vegan alternatives. It’s not about giving up medicine-it’s about asking for the right version.

Gelatin capsules? Switch to cellulose-based ones. Many pharmacies carry them. Ask for “vegetarian capsules” or “plant-based capsules.” They look and taste the same. They just don’t come from animals.

Magnesium stearate? Some brands use plant-based versions made from palm or coconut oil. It’s harder to find, but it’s out there. Call the manufacturer. Ask if their stearic acid is from animal or plant sources.

Vitamin D3? Skip the lanolin. Look for D3 made from lichen or algae. Brands like Deva Nutrition, Garden of Life, and Nordic Naturals offer these. Check the label. If it says “D3,” dig deeper. If it says “vegan D3 from algae,” you’re good.

Glycerin? Look for “vegetable glycerin” on the label. If it just says “glycerin,” call the company. Most big brands now use plant-based versions, but smaller ones still use animal.

The key is this: inactive ingredients (fillers, shells, coatings) can usually be swapped. Active ingredients (the actual medicine) often can’t. But even then, there are sometimes alternatives.

How to Talk to Your Pharmacist

Don’t just say, “I’m vegan.” That’s not enough. Pharmacists hear that all the time. But they don’t always know what it means for pills.

Be specific. Say: “I need medications free of gelatin, magnesium stearate, lanolin, glycerin from animal sources, and any ingredients derived from pigs, cows, sheep, or chickens.”

Ask: “Can you check the source of these ingredients?”

Ask: “Do you have a vegetarian or vegan version of this?”

Pharmacists can often order alternatives. Many now keep vegetarian capsules in stock. Some even have lists of animal-free meds on file.

Pill Clarity: A Resource You Can Trust

In 2023, VeganMed changed its name to Pill Clarity. It’s no longer just for vegans. It’s for anyone who wants to know what’s in their medicine. Their database lists thousands of medications and marks which ones are verified animal-free. You can search by drug name, manufacturer, or ingredient.

They also certify brands that meet their standards. If a product has the Pill Clarity seal, it’s been verified-no guesswork needed.

It’s not perfect. Not every drug is in the system. But it’s the most reliable tool out there.

What You Can’t Replace (And How to Handle It)

Some meds have no vegan version. Heparin. Creon. Propofol. These are life-saving. And right now, they’re tied to animal sources.

If you need one of these, you’re not failing your ethics. You’re making a medical decision. That’s okay.

Talk to your doctor. Ask: “Is there a different treatment path?” For example, if you’re on heparin, is low molecular weight heparin an option? Is there an alternative anticoagulant? Sometimes, yes.

For thyroid meds, levothyroxine is vegan and works for most people. If you’ve been on Armour Thyroid and feel fine, don’t panic. But do ask if switching is safe for you. Some people do better on natural thyroid, others on synthetic. It’s personal.

Check Your Supplements Too

Supplements are the worst offenders. A 2022 report found that 50% of supplements contain hidden animal ingredients. That’s not a typo. Half.

Omega-3s? Fish oil. Not vegan.

Probiotics? Some use dairy or egg-based growth mediums.

Vitamin B12? Often comes with gelatin capsules. Look for sublingual tablets or liquid forms with plant-based shells.

Multivitamins? Many use gelatin or animal-derived colorings. Check the label. If it says “gelatin” or “glycerin” without specifying “vegetable,” assume it’s animal.

What’s Changing?

The vegan population in the U.S. is growing. About 3% of adults now identify as vegan-that’s over 10 million people. And more are asking for animal-free meds.

The American Pharmacists Association is starting to train pharmacists on how to handle these requests. New guidelines are expected in 2024.

Some manufacturers are responding. More plant-based capsules are being made. More algae-based D3 is hitting shelves.

But the system is still slow. Labels don’t have to list animal sources. Companies aren’t required to disclose. That’s why you have to ask.

What You Can Do Today

1. Check your current meds. Look at the label. Search for gelatin, stearic acid, glycerin, lanolin, magnesium stearate.

2. Call your pharmacy. Ask if they have vegetarian capsules for your pills.

3. Switch your Vitamin D3 to algae-based. It’s easy. And it’s better.

4. Use Pill Clarity’s website to look up your meds. Type in the name. See if it’s verified animal-free.

5. Talk to your doctor. Say: “I need to avoid animal-derived ingredients. Can we review my meds?”

6. If you’re on a drug with no vegan alternative, don’t feel guilty. Medicine isn’t black and white. Your health matters too.

Final Thought

Being vegan isn’t about perfection. It’s about intention. You don’t have to avoid every animal product in every pill to stay true to your values. But you do have the right to know what you’re taking. And you have the power to ask for better options.

You’re not alone. Thousands of people are asking the same questions. And slowly, the system is starting to listen.