Horrible antibiotic gelatine capsules! :P

[veganmuncher]

I wasn't sure if this should be in the Vegan section or the Health.

I have an infected finger (we think it's a rag nail) - It's swollen up and puss is now starting to come out! Very red and tender, anyway.....So i got antibiotics from the doctor, and when I got them and was about to take one, I read the ingredients and realised that the capsule had gelatine in it.

So, I told my mum I wasn't taking them, and she went ballistic. I was about to ring the pharmacist to see if they'd have a syrup form instead, when my brother suggested taking the capsule apart (it screwed open! :)) and pouring the powder onto my tongue.

I did that, and it was sooooooo disgusting, but it's much better than taking the capsule! I have to take it 4 times a day for the next 8 days! :'(

Boohooo, but thank goodness for my brother! :p At least he respected my beliefs....

Has anyone else been in this situation?

[Foxy]

Veganmuncher, check with the pharmacist- some drugs must be absorbed in the gut or stomach to be effective.

Good luck with your infection- I hope it clears right up :)

[cheekywhiskers]

Most capsules can be compounded by a pharmacist into a liquid, some pills even. There may be a problem though, the drug may not be properly absorbed or get broken down in the stomach (too acid there) and be rendered ineffective. It would need the alkaline pH of the intestine to work properly, this is why some drugs have enteric coatings or are in capsules. Call your pharmacist and tell them you are having difficulty swallowing the capsules and ask if they have the antibiotic in another formulation. If you tell them you are veg*n and won't take the gelatin, they may become a stubborn jerk and more reluctant to help (a stupid reason not to respect your wishes, but some omnis do that sort of thing).
You may also talk to your doctor about getting a local treatment for the problem, sometimes we have to do that in vet med because it would be ridiculous to try to treat a huge animal (horse/cattle) with systemic antibiotics. It's often more effective as well, but most people can't be bothered with that much work to treat themselves.

[vggiegirl]

They also sell veg-caps
http://www.capsugel.com/products/vcaps.php

Available online. Just google Vcaps

[bluegrrrl79]

If you're so into personal purity that you won't even properly take medication that you need, I think you should take a step back from things, put a little thought into are you really doing this for the animals, or are you being overly obsessive to the point of harming yourself?

[Foxy]

If you're so into personal purity that you won't even properly take medication that you need, I think you should take a step back from things, put a little thought into are you really doing this for the animals, or are you being overly obsessive to the point of harming yourself?


Why do you automatically assume he's doing this "for the animals" and judge him as "overly obsessive"? Your tone is dismissive and rude. Why hate on someone for having integrity? I don't think you are a mean person, so perhaps you can look at wht is motivating this within you.

Actually, I think it's great that he shared that information because some other people likely feel the same way or relate in one way or another. Personally, I won't take gelatin because the idea of swallowing bones, tendons, hooves, snouts and ligamenets is revolting in *every* way conceivable.

[bluegrrrl79]

Why do you automatically assume he's doing this "for the animals" and judge him as "overly obsessive"? Your tone is dismissive and rude. Why hate on someone for having integrity? I don't think you are a mean person, so perhaps you can look at wht is motivating this within you.

Actually, I think it's great that he shared that information because some other people likely feel the same way or relate in one way or another. Personally, I won't take gelatin because the idea of swallowing bones, tendons, hooves, snouts and ligamenets is revolting in *every* way conceivable.
I'm not trying to be mean. I'm just saying when it comes down to putting your health in jeapardy, that's a problem. Are you saying it's not?? If you had to take medication, you wouldn't and you'd just let it get worse and worse? I see nothing wrong with avoiding gelatin, but when it comes to medication, sorry I think people who avoid taking any meds because of it(I don't mean those that are able to find gelatin-free meds), I think that's crazy.

I mean I remember awhile ago someone posting that they felt horribly guilty cause they had been rushed to the ER, and were too delirous to ask for gelatin-free meds! And then was asking if she is still vegan! Stuff like that just makes me very nervous, and makes me think the person has got way over the edge.

[Marie]

You can end up making your infection worse if you fool around by not taking antibiotics properly.

[vggiegirl]

I'm not trying to be mean. I'm just saying when it comes down to putting your health in jeapardy, that's a problem. Are you saying it's not?? If you had to take medication, you wouldn't and you'd just let it get worse and worse? I see nothing wrong with avoiding gelatin, but when it comes to medication, sorry I think people who avoid taking any meds because of it(I don't mean those that are able to find gelatin-free meds), I think that's crazy.

I mean I remember awhile ago someone posting that they felt horribly guilty cause they had been rushed to the ER, and were too delirous to ask for gelatin-free meds! And then was asking if she is still vegan! Stuff like that just makes me very nervous, and makes me think the person has got way over the edge.


I understand both sides and try to keep it sane. I avoid frivilous gel-caps like for headaches. I will NOT under any circumstances though, forego my medication. And with an actual wound like that...that isn't something to play around with. I use non-gelcap healdache medicines and things, and I bought those empty Vcaps before but kept spilling the meds all over the place :p
My Dr. may have to put me on "natural" thyroid meds instead of the synthroid i've been taking. It's bovine derived...ya, that will suck :(

[veganmuncher]

Thanks both of you.

Bluegrrrl19 - I won't take gelatine because I'm avoid all animal products and I find eating tendon, hooves, bones etc (like Foxy said) completely disgusting and I don't wish to use the products of dead animals for myself. Yes It is a medical issue, but it's not a serious one and most likely without taking these the infection would just take longer to go and, at worst spread around my hand.

Cheeky Whisker - Hmmm... I dunno cos it's a very thin capsule of gelatine and that, so i think it would be broken down in the stomach anyway, I'll try it out with some vinegar and see what happens. Thanks.

P.s. I'm a she :P

[Marie]

well, at the very worst, it can cause you to lose your hand.

[bluegrrrl79]

So you're just going to let your hand get all infected worse? Sorry, to me that is not sane behavior. What would you do if you had to take heart medication? Just not take it?

[Foxy]

I'm not trying to be mean. I'm just saying when it comes down to putting your health in jeapardy, that's a problem. Are you saying it's not?? If you had to take medication, you wouldn't and you'd just let it get worse and worse? I see nothing wrong with avoiding gelatin, but when it comes to medication, sorry I think people who avoid taking any meds because of it(I don't mean those that are able to find gelatin-free meds), I think that's crazy.

I mean I remember awhile ago someone posting that they felt horribly guilty cause they had been rushed to the ER, and were too delirous to ask for gelatin-free meds! And then was asking if she is still vegan! Stuff like that just makes me very nervous, and makes me think the person has got way over the edge.


Since becoming Vegan, I have never had to take gelatin. I avoided it before as well as I avoid all medicines since I always have found an alternative. I anticipate it will continue to be that way. Anything is possible if you are focused and devoted to making it so, and for me remaining Vegan is an ethical/Spiritual practice, so I always place that as my priority and have found ways to also have my *physical* health be the highest priority (they are inter-related). :rockon:

[vggiegirl]

well, at the very worst, it can cause you to lose your hand.

totally. "Well, I lost my hand, but at least I'm still 110% vegan!" :rolleyes:

[Foxy]

totally. "Well, I lost my hand, but at least I'm still 110% vegan!" :rolleyes:


Why are so many people here so scornful towards Vegans? :sealed:

[vggiegirl]

I am vegan and am not going to debate this with you. Veganmuncher came here with a question, we all offered our support. End of story.

[Foxy]

totally. "Well, I lost my hand, but at least I'm still 110% vegan!" :rolleyes:
I am vegan and am not going to debate this with you. Veganmuncher came here with a question, we all offered our support. End of story.



That does *NOT* feel like "support".

I support your choices, Veganmuncher and encourage you to speak with your pharmacist and doctor to get alternatives as needed.

[bluegrrrl79]

Since becoming Vegan, I have never had to take gelatin. I avoided it before as well as I avoid all medicines since I always have found an alternative. I anticipate it will continue to be that way. Anything is possible if you are focused and devoted to making it so, and for me remaining Vegan is an ethical/Spiritual practice, so I always place that as my priority and have found ways to also have my *physical* health be the highest priority (they are inter-related). :rockon:
That's great that you've always been able to maintain good health, but unfortunatly most people aren't able to. If I didn't take my medication, I wouldn't be able to function. I mean the reason people take perscription meds in the first place is because there is something wrong, not just your typical cold.

Edit:I also support her/him to go to the doctor and ask for alternaties. But that's not what he/she is doing. This person is refusing to take the meds properly. I cannot support that.

[vggiegirl]

That does *NOT* feel like "support".

I support your choices, Veganmuncher and encourage you to speak with your pharmacist and doctor to get alternatives as needed.


that is in respnse to

Bluegrrrl19 - I won't take gelatine because I'm avoid all animal products and I find eating tendon, hooves, bones etc (like Foxy said) completely disgusting and I don't wish to use the products of dead animals for myself. Yes It is a medical issue, but it's not a serious one and most likely without taking these the infection would just take longer to go and, at worst spread around my hand.

That is not to be taken lightly. But hey, whatever, you guys are more vegan than me so that's cool.

[veganmuncher]

So you're just going to let your hand get all infected worse? Sorry, to me that is not sane behavior. What would you do if you had to take heart medication? Just not take it?

Heart's a fair bit different, I would take it. Thankfully though, I don't take heart medication.

I may ring my pharmacist tomorrow about it.

[Foxy]

But hey, whatever, you guys are more vegan than me so that's cool.

That is just ridiculous. Make that distinction for yourself if you must but don't say that I or anyone else put that off on you. We all make the best choices we can and, ultimately, have no one but ourselves to answer to.

I suggest that people who "need" drugs do what they must to be "healthy". I am fortunate in that I have never *not* found an alternative.

[shagginabit]

VM, get your pharmacist on the telly and see if he can offer anything else. That was a good idea with breaking the capsule apart.

As for myself I try to only take gelatin based products if its necessary and there's no alternative, but i usually stick to natural based remedies.

[kristadb]

I mean I remember awhile ago someone posting that they felt horribly guilty cause they had been rushed to the ER, and were too delirous to ask for gelatin-free meds! And then was asking if she is still vegan!

:yes:

I remember that.

[kristadb]

BTW, if the infection spreads, you can end up on IV antibotics (I have). And, let me tell you, that stuff is a whole lot less vegan then gel caps.

[Gracie]

Yes It is a medical issue, but it's not a serious one and most likely without taking these the infection would just take longer to go and, at worst spread around my hand.


No, that's definitely NOT the worst that could happen. An untreated infection can lead to blood poisoning and death. It used to happen frequently before we had antibiotics. (My father had a cousin who died from an infected blister!) Please make sure you talk to your doctor or pharmacist about this, rather than taking advice from non-professionals, ok?