Vegan ibuprofen?

[Rie]

Are most brands vegan? How about advil? Anyone know?

[Terra]

I know the FDA requires animal testing on all drugs, whether over-the-counter or prescription. I know it's chemically possible to create ibuprofen without animal products, but I'm not sure exactly how each company's chemical engineers designed the factories. :-/

[Artichoke47]

I'm not sure that any are, considering they are all tested on animals and also that many of the pills probably contain some animal product. Unfortunately, at this point, there is probably nothing you can do but use the ibuprofen you have when you feel you need pain relief or an anti-inflammatory.

There are also herbal remedies for pain relief, but after having checked into them, all of the ones I found contained lactose. :(

[bluegrrrl79]

Well I mean some have a gelatin coating and some don't...pick the one that doesn't?

[IamJen]

I buy some off-brand ibuprofen at my grocery that contains vegan ingredients, but as mentioned, I'm sure it was probably tested on animals. I'm not sure that you are allowed to manufacture meds in the US without animal tests (yet) are you?

Are you looking for a pain reliever in general, or specifically ibuprofen? Just wondering, because we may have alternatives in mind as well. :)

[wow i'm a dog]

i contacted wyeth, the manufacturer of advil (http://www.advil.com/) and here's what their company rep had to say:


"advil is not considered a vegan product. advil® tablets and caplets contain stearic acid which is used as an inactive ingredient and is derived from a bovine source. advil® gel caplets, advil® liqui-gels and advil® migraine contain gelatin which is used as an inactive ingredient and is derived from beef bone. i hope this information is helpful. should you have additional questions, please call 1-800-322-3129. our offices are open weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. est."

i'd be very interested to know if there are *any* vegan pain relievers out there. what about herbal/non-pharmacologic pain relievers that have worked for you?

[Lelena]

I haven't used traditional medicine in 9 years. Once I found out they were all tested on animals by law and most contain animal ingredients. I have looked into herbs a lot. For pain relief I use valarian. White willow is also a pain reliever (aspirin is based on it), but it doesn't work for me.

I have found that when people use herbs they often buy the cheap brand at the supermarket which usually is pretty worthless. A friend of mine tried valarian from the supermarket and said it didn't do a thing for her. I gave her some of mine and the pain was gone in 15 minutes. Another thing is that some herbs work better for you than others. For instance I use valarian, but it does nothing for my mother where as she uses white willow which is useless for me. You have to research, do some trial and error and know your own body. I hope this helps.

[wow i'm a dog]

I have found that when people use herbs they often buy the cheap brand at the supermarket which usually is pretty worthless.

thanks for the info. good stuff. how do you prepare these remedies? do you have a recommendation for a book you've found particularly useful? also, can you recommend an alternative source to buy the herbs (preferably online)? thanks!

[Lelena]

Liquid herbs are stronger than pills and work quicker in your system, especially when placed under the tongue. You can also buy the herbs and make teas, but it could be difficult to find depending on where you live.

Whole Foods has an entire isle devoted to herbs, homeopathic medicines, vitamins and minerals.

I don't really have many ailments but my family is also into herbs so sometimes I buy for them too. I have a membership with nature's sunshine.
Their website is www.naturessunshine.com
Their herbs are good quailty, but can be expensive if you are not a member.
Their liquids herbs and combinations are mostly vegan, but unless there is a Veg cap their pills aren't.
Dr. Clayton's is also very good and with the exception of three or four things are vegan. I think their website is www.dr.claytons.com but I have to double check. I usually go through the mail with them.

Two books I use a lot for myself, friends and family are:
Prescription for Nutrional Healing by James F Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch C.N.C. and Today's Herbal Health The Essential Reference Guide by Louise Tenney, M.H.
:hi:

[wow i'm a dog]

Dr. Clayton's is also very good and with the exception of three or four things are vegan. I think their website is www.dr.claytons.com but I have to double check. I usually go through the mail with them.

thanks for all the info! the site is: dr. clayton's naturals (http://www.drclaytons.com).

[StephP]

Pedicularis species are herbal muscle relaxers, and make a nice substitute for ibuprofen. Canadense or canadensis (I've seen both spellings) is the cheapest species, and is available as bulk dried herb for teas or as a tincture.

[jenni-anti-fur]

I buy some off-brand ibuprofen at my grocery that contains vegan ingredients, but as mentioned, I'm sure it was probably tested on animals. I'm not sure that you are allowed to manufacture meds in the US without animal tests (yet) are you?

Are you looking for a pain reliever in general, or specifically ibuprofen? Just wondering, because we may have alternatives in mind as well. :)

me too...I buys some off brand from my local grocery...that doesnt list animal products but you never know.