Checker tool

Enter any medicine ingredientsThe active ingredient is the chemical in the medicine that makes the medicine work. Medicines can have more than one active ingredient., excipientsAlso known as an inactive ingredient, an excipient is a substance included alongside an active ingredient. Excipients usually aid in manufacture, preservation, drug absorption, or to improve texture/taste., or production cell linesA production cell line is the biological material a medicine was grown or manufactured in, most relevant for vaccines and biologic medicines (e.g. Chinese hamster ovary cells). below. We will flag anything that may need further consideration for a halal diet. This tool is designed to be used alongside, not instead of, professional medical and religious advice.

How to use the checker

Find the ingredients and/or excipients list
Enter each ingredient and/or excipient separately — one per line, or separated by commas. Enter ingredients and/or excipients, not medicine names.

One per linegelatine
ethanol
isopropyl alcohol

Or comma-separatedgelatine, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, lactose
Click Check
Review anything the checker flags, and follow the guidance for each

Gelatin

Gelatin is derived from animal sources, and its permissibility depends on the animal source and how it was processed (e.g., whether it is derived from bone, hide, or other tissues).

For further information on Islamic rulings of gelatin, read our gelatin guide →

What is the animal source?

Bovine gelatin

Is it from dry bone or hide?

Collagen

Collagen is derived from animal sources, and its permissibility depends on the animal source and how it was processed (e.g. whether it is derived from bone, hide or other tissues).

What is the animal source?

Bovine collagen

Is it from dry bone or hide?

Ethanol

Ethanol’s permissibility depends on its source, amount, and purpose of use. Non-khamr ethanol (not derived from grapes, dates, raisins, or their juices), when used for a genuine medicinal purpose and present in a non-intoxicating amount, is generally considered permissible according to the majority scholarly opinion.

For further information on Islamic rulings of ethanol, read our ethanol guide →

After reviewing the SmPC and, where necessary, contacting the pharmaceutical company, please enter the following details.

Select one option for each question below. You can change either answer before continuing. When both are selected, tap See classification.

1. Ethanol concentration in the final medicinal product

2. Source of ethanol

Select one option from each question, then tap See classification.

Flagged for consideration

Read our full guidance →

Please take/use your medicine(s) as directed by your healthcare professional. Do not stop, delay, or change how you take/use it without discussing this first with them.

Read our full guide →

Please take/use your medicine(s) as directed by your healthcare professional. Do not stop, delay, or change how you take/use it without discussing this first with them.

One email covering all flagged items

We have combined your flagged items that need manufacturer confirmation into a single email.

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A flagged item doesn’t always mean it’s haram — it may simply need further consideration. See our FAQs below, and our Important messages for patients and Disclaimer.

FAQs

What is the difference between an ingredient, excipient and production cell line?

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Ingredient/ active ingredient
The ingredient/active ingredient is a chemical in the medicine that makes the medicine work. Medicines can have more than one active ingredient.

Excipient
Also known as an inactive ingredient, an excipient is a substance included alongside an active ingredient. Excipients usually aid in manufacture, preservation, drug absorption, or to improve texture/taste. Examples of excipients include gelatin and ethanol.

Production cell line
A production cell line is the biological material a medicine was grown or manufactured in, most relevant for vaccines and biologic medicines (e.g. Chinese hamster ovary cells).

The checker flagged something — what are the next steps?

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Tap the flagged item to see a short explanation and, where relevant, a follow-up question that narrows down the guidance for your exact situation.

Why aren’t some alcohol-containing excipients flagged?

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Only “alcohol” on its own and ethanol equivalents (ethyl alcohol, dehydrated alcohol, dehydrated ethanol, industrial ethylated spirits) are flagged, as these may require further assessment. Most other alcohols used in medicines (e.g. benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol) are synthetic, non-intoxicating and chemically different from ethanol, so they are not flagged.

Important information for patients

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Important messages for patients

Always take your medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare professional (HCP)
Never stop, delay or change your medicine without discussing it with your HCP first
For Islamic guidance, speak with your local Imam or a trusted scholar
Use this tool alongside — not instead of — professional advice

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Disclaimer

This resource is for educational purposes only and does not replace clinical or religious advice
Always consult your doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment
Healthcare professionals remain fully responsible for decisions within their scope of practice