And who knows what else ingredient-wise.
Do they dump out the contents of the capsules or something along those lines?
Really; was just reading something and got curious. How much of a problem is that? Are there a lot of common medications -- beyond the obvious -- with some animal derivatives in them?
2006-12-03 02:43:01 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Vegetarian & Vegan
Re. "Being vegetarian to that extent is really obsessive and beyond the scope of not eating meat" -- that's why I said 'vegan.' ;-)
Some of them here are, well -- as you said. I have a hard time seeing it as realistic in some cases, hence the question...
2006-12-03 03:02:57 · update #1
I'm vegetarian, not vegan, but I'm allergic to gelatine...there are such a thing as "compounding" pharmacies/chemists (what we call them in Australia) that can make medicines for you with all the active ingredients, but taking out other things like gelatine or fillers.
2006-12-03 15:25:04 · answer #1 · answered by thekittiesinthehood 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The best thing you can do is find alternatives to traditional medications, this option is often over looked and is more possible then many think. If in fact it's not possible and there are no alternatives then i would take what you can get. Veganism is not about purity but about doing the best you can to refrain from using animal products. If it's not possible, in an extreme case such as this, then its not. It's not the patents fault that there are no non animal alternatives. But the Vegan should see what they can do to support animal free medications.
Having said that, I don't believe this is the definitive answer on this subject. I don't take medications and would prefer to use alternative methods. Some may be more strict, or more lax on this subject.
P.S. @ Spandito: All medcations are tested on animals by law.
2006-12-03 11:11:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry. They are making more and more supplements with Veggie caps. It can seem like a problem at first but then you learn how to deal with it and it's really not the end of the world. I know a health food store on the US that sells no products/supplements that contain animal product in them. Companies are paying more and more attention to this. Dr. Weil's supplements are mostly veggie caps even his primrose oil. If you really have no choice then I guess you just open the gelatin cap and take what is inside.
2006-12-03 10:55:16 · answer #3 · answered by Lonelyplanet 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Research.
Vegans, by their lifestyle choice, are the most informed about anything they take into, or even surround their bodies with.
There are plenty of animal friendly resources out there, as well as holistic approaches to many common ailments.
That being said, vegans also tend to be a fairly healthy lot, not requiring too many meds, unless they have a serious medical condition (that probably stems from causes not diet related... just to stop the whole mess of trouble I see coming with that comment)...
2006-12-03 11:29:52 · answer #4 · answered by sassy_cheesesicle 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Good question. I'm vegetarian rather than vegan and I'm lucky enough not to have to take much in the way of meds, but it does worry me. I know a lot of supplements are gelatine free but I dont know if there's much choice in meds. I should hope so, as there are a lot of vegetarians now.
2006-12-03 10:48:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not just the ingredients issue.
Many animal rights activists have an issue with the research that is done developing those medications.
How does one know what is or is not testing on animals?
Though I don't take medications.
If I eat properly with a well balanced diet and exercise regularily I can reduce the need to take certain medications.
However that does not make me immune to disease so if the need comes I will have to make that choice.
2006-12-03 11:33:42 · answer #6 · answered by Spandito 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Being vegetarian to that extent is really obsessive and beyond the scope of not eating meat. There is always something that vegetarians will consume that has some form of animal product in it. Many wear leather shoes and other animal product fashion accessories. Not wanting to eat animals is fine but having to microscopically dissect everything is crazy.
2006-12-03 10:56:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋
Uh,I don't get sick,ever.I've taken one tylenol in my life and that was before I was vegan.
2006-12-03 16:52:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i'm a veggie. have a chronic illness. medication is veggie friendly. lots out there
2006-12-03 11:17:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Didn't you know? Vegans don't get sick -- they just waste away.
2006-12-03 13:11:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋