Checklist of ingredients and excipients
The following are common ingredients and excipients that raise a concern for Muslims. If your medicine contains any of these, then proceed to click on an ingredient or excipient name below to find out more about the permissibility. Because the source is clear, there is nothing further that needs to be clarified from the pharmaceutical company.
- Chinese hamster ovary cells
- Carmine. Alternative names of carmine you may find are:
- E120
- Natural red 4
- Crimson lake
- CI 75470
- Cochineal extract
- Cochineal
- Carminic acid
The following are common ingredients and excipients that raise a concern for Muslims.
The sources for these are not generally clearly stated, so if you find your medicine contains any of these, you may want to contact the pharmaceutical company (click here for our email template) to clarify the source-this will help to clarify its halāl status. Click on the ingredient or excipient name below to find out more about their permissibility.
- Collagen
- Conjugated oestrogen
- Ethanol (other names include: ethyl alcohol. Other ethanol containing excipients to look out for are dehydrated alcohol and industrial ethylated spirits.)
- Gelatin
- Insulin*
- Lactose and rennet
- Magnesium stearate
- Polysorbate (we do not currently have a guidance page for this)
- Stearic acid
* most insulin available are from halal sources, and on most occasions, you can identify the source by the name. However, there may be occasions where you may want to clarify the source. Read our guide on insulin for more details.
The following excipients are considered permissible for Muslims, you can click on the excipients below to learn more. Please note, this list does not contain every permissible ingredient. What matters most is recognizing which ingredients or excipients may raise concerns (i.e. those that are in the above two categories).
If you are still concerned about any ingredients or excipients that do not appear on this list, you can use our free ebook to provide more clarity.
Other common excipients:
(Click here to find our more about the excipients below)
- hexylene glycol
- hydroxypropylcellulose
- hypromellose (HMPC)
- indigo carmine
- macrogol (polyethylene glycol)
- polysorbate
- pregelatinized starch
- propylene glycol
Other common alcohols such as:
(Click here to find our more about the excipients below)
- benzyl alcohol
- benzyl benzoate
- butyl alcohol (butanol)
- cetostearyl alcohol
- ethyl hydroxybenzoate
- industial methylated spirits
- isopropyl alcohol
- methyl parahydroxybenzoate (methylparaben)
- parahydroxybenzoate (parabens)
- phenyethyl alcohol
- polyvinyl alcohol
- propyl hydroxybenxoate (propylparaben)
- propyl parahydroxybenzoate
- sodium benzoate
⚠️ Important information for patients
- Always take or use your medicine(s) exactly as directed or prescribed by your healthcare professional (HCP), such as your doctor or pharmacist
- Do not stop, delay, change or alter the way you take or use your medicine(s) without first discussing it with the HCP who prescribed or supplied it to you
- Always consult your HCP if you have any questions or before making any decisions about your treatment
- For Islamic guidance, seek advice from your local Imam or a trusted Islamic scholar – ideally someone with relevant knowledge and expertise in the fiqh (Islamic rulings) of medicines
- Use the information gathered to make an informed decision together with your HCP and, if needed, your local Imam or trusted Islamic scholar
Disclaimer
- This resource is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute clinical, medical, or professional healthcare advice and should not replace individual clinical judgement or qualified religious guidance
- Always consult your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional regarding your own medical conditions or for advice on treatment options
- Healthcare professionals remain fully responsible and accountable for decisions made within their own scope of practice.
