Ethanol in medicines

This resource explains the use of ethanol in medicines and outlines the Islamic rulings on its permissibility.

Table Of Contents
  1. What is ethanol and how is it used in medicines?
  2. 🕌 Islamic ruling on ethanol
  3. 💭Did you know?
  4. ⚠️ Important information for patients
  5. FAQs
  6. Disclaimer
  7. References and further reading

What is ethanol and how is it used in medicines?

Ethanol (also known as ethyl alcohol) is a type of alcohol and the active substance that causes drunkenness if consumed at high levels. Ethanol is used to make:

  • Alcoholic beverages like beer, wine, and spirits
  • Perfumes and toiletries
  • Disinfectants and hand sanitisers (sprays and gels)
  • Medicines.1

It is a clear, colourless liquid made through a process of either:

It is a clear, colourless liquid made through a process of either:

  • Fermentation of biomass (e.g. various plant materials such as trees, grass, grains, sugarcane, dates, grapes and fruits etc)2 3 4
  • Hydration of ethene from crude oil using steam (process used to make synthetic ethanol).5

Note: Not all alcohols are suitable for consumption e.g. methanol (used in antifreeze) and isopropanol (used as rubbing alcohol). Ethanol is the only type of alcohol that is safe for human consumption in moderate amounts.6 For information on other types of alcohol, see our resource on other synthetic alcohols used in medicines.

Ethanol is used in medicines as:

A processing aid – used in the recrystallisation (i.e. purification) of drug substances. Trace amounts of ethanol may remain in the final product

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A solvent– to improve drug solubility e.g. in cough and cold medicines

Close-up of a gloved hand holding a volumetric flask in a scientific laboratory setting.


A preservative– it has bacteriostatic, bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal, properties e.g. in topical preparations and mouthwashes.6 7 8

A group of medicine bottles with focus on one filled with orange liquid, ideal for healthcare themes.

A processing aid – used in the recrystallisation (i.e. purification) of drug substances. Trace amounts of ethanol may remain in the final product.

A solvent– to improve drug solubility e.g. in cough and cold medicines

A preservative– it has bacteriostatic, bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal, properties e.g. in topical preparations and mouthwashes. 6 7 8

stones, crystal, gem, macro, texture, crystal, crystal, crystal, crystal, crystal
Close-up of a gloved hand holding a volumetric flask in a scientific laboratory setting.
A group of medicine bottles with focus on one filled with orange liquid, ideal for healthcare themes.

🕌 Islamic ruling on ethanol

The Islamic ruling on ethanol depends on several key factors6:

1. Purpose of use

The intended use of ethanol is a key factor in determining permissibility:

  • ❌Beverage and recreational use: Always haram (prohibited).
  • ✅Non-beverage or medicinal use: Permissible according to the majority* of scholars if the ethanol is non-intoxicating and the medicine serves a genuine therapeutic purpose

2. Source of ethanol

  • ❌Prohibited sources (Ashriba Arbaʿa): Ethanol from grapes, dates, raisins, or their juices is classed as khamr and haram if present in more than trace amounts (>1%).
  • ✅Other sources (e.g., corn, sugarcane, wheat), or synthetic sources-lab-produced ethanol (not from fruit fermentation).  Most ethanol used in pharmaceuticals today is derived from these non-khamr sources. According to the majority of scholars ethanol from such sources is considered halal if it does not intoxicate in the amount used.

3. Concentration and intoxicating potential 

  • Many scholars consider ethanol permissible when present in such small quantities that it cannot intoxicate even if consumed in large amounts (<1%). 
  • High or toxic concentrations are considered mufsid (corruptive). Many scholars allow it to be used externally or for medicinal purposes. 

To understand more about the ruling such as⚠️ differences of opinion, and what we mean by *’majority’ click the button below.

Ethanol: additional Islamic information

Islamic legal definition of khamr (intoxicant)

According to the majority of scholars if a substance does not meet all three conditions, then it is not considered khamr, even if it contains ethanol.

  1. Purpose-it must be typically used as a beverage, and
  2. Source-it must be derived from grapes, dates, raisins, or their juices (known as ashriba arbaʿa), and
  3. It must be capable of causing intoxication when consumed in normal amounts.

Islamic legal definition of khamr (intoxicant)

According to the majority of scholars if a substance does not meet all three conditions, then it is not considered khamr, even if it contains ethanol.

  1. Purpose-it must be typically used as a beverage, and
  2. Source-it must be derived from grapes, dates, raisins, or their juices (known as ashriba arbaʿa), and
  3. It must be capable of causing intoxication when consumed in normal amounts.

Ethanol that is:

  1. used medicinally
  2. from non-khamr sources e.g. synthetic sources, and 
  3. is non-intoxicating in the amount used,

is generally halal. 
However, misusing such products, either by consuming those meant for external use or taking excessive amounts e.g. consuming hand sanitizer, may render them mufsid (harmful), and such misuse is prohibited both Islamically and medically.

Here are some examples of topical and medicinal products (i.e. non-beverage use) that may contain ethanol, their classifications and rulings (list not exhaustive):

PRODUCT AND % OF ETHANOLCLASSIFICATIONRULING
Antiseptic solutions and disinfectants

70-90% ethanol		Majority opinion: Permissible (halal) for medicinal use, as it is derived from non-khamr sources (e.g., corn, sugarcane, synthetic) and is considered tahir (pure) if non-intoxicating in the amount used.

Minority opinion: Permissible only if no suitable halal alternative is available (darurah or necessity).

Alternate view: Some scholars classify it as ⚠️ mufsid (harmful and toxic) if consumed unnecessarily, and permit its use strictly within therapeutic dosage limits and under medical advice.
✅ Permissible (if used as directed by the manufacturer)
Cough syrups
10-20% ethanol
Hand sanitisers (e.g. gels and sprays)
50-70% ethanol
Mouthwash and oral applications (e.g. oral sprays, lozenges and gels)
20-30% ethanol

If you are unsure about taking or using medicines containing ingredients and/or excipients from haram sources, seek guidance from a practising Muslim HCP such as a pharmacist or doctor. Alternatively, consult your local Imam or a trusted Islamic scholar, ideally one who has knowledge and expertise in the fiqh (Islamic rulings) of medicine.

💭Did you know?

Even if a medicine contains an excipient from a haram source, it may still be permitted in certain cases. Here are three Islamic maxims (principles):

  1. Medical necessity (daruah): Under this principle, if there is a medical necessity, such as an emergency situation, or where there is a strong chance the individual’s health will deteriorate, and if no viable halal alternative is available, then it is permitted to take a medicine containing ethanol that meets the conditions of being haram, until a viable halal alternative becomes available.
  2. An impermissible medicine becomes permissible if five conditions are fully met (click here to learn what the five conditions are).
  3. Hardship begets facility (al-mashaqqa tajlib at-taysir): Under this principle, if applying religious practice becomes too burdensome or creates hardship, then leniency can be applied to ease it (click here to read more). If you have tried your best to seek an alternative halal medicine and it becomes too difficult for you, this principle allows you to take/use the medicine you have been prescribed/supplied.

⚠️ 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.

FAQs

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

References and further reading

  1. UK Health Security Agency. Ethanol: general information. [online]. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ethanol-properties-uses-and-incident-management/ethanol-general-information [Accessed 30th April 2025] ↩︎
  2. Alternative Fuels Data Center. Alternative Fuels Data Center: Ethanol Feedstocks. [online] Available at: https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/ethanol-feedstocks [Accessed 30th April 2025] ↩︎
  3. Ahmad A, Naqvi SA, Jaskani MJ, Waseem M, Ali E, Khan IA, Faisal Manzoor M, Siddeeg A, Aadil RM. Efficient utilization of date palm waste for the bioethanol production through Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain. Food Sci Nutr. 2021 Feb 21;9(4):2066-2074. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.2175. ↩︎
  4. Chitranshi R, Kapoor R. Utilization of over-ripened fruit (waste fruit) for the eco-friendly production of ethanol. Vegetos. 2021 Feb;34(1):270-276. doi: 10.1007/s42535-020-00185-8. ↩︎
  5. BBC Bitesize Making chemicals on an industrial. [online]. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zwjsk2p/revision/6 [Accessed 30th April 2025] ↩︎
  6. Shaykh Rafāqat Rashid. Revising The Fiqh of Khamr and Alcohol: Ethical Use from an Islamic Perspective. Al Balagh Academy. 2024 May. Available at: https://www.albalaghacademy.org/blog/revising-the-fiqh-of-khamr-and-alcohol/ ↩︎
  7. European medicines agency. Questions and Answers on Ethanol in the context of the revision of the guideline on ‘Excipients in the label and package leaflet of medicinal products for human use’ (CPMP/463/00) [online]. Available at: https://www.gmp-compliance.org/guidelines/gmp-guideline/eudralex-volume-3-questions-and-answers-on-ethanol-in-the-context-of-the-revision-of-the-guideline-on-excipients-in-the-label-an [Accessed 30th April 2025] ↩︎
  8. Ref Chung E, Reinaker K, Meyers R. Ethanol Content of Medications and Its Effect on Blood Alcohol Concentration in Pediatric Patients. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. 2024 Apr;29(2):188-194. doi: 10.5863/1551-6776-29.2.188. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11001219/ ↩︎
  9. European medicines agency. Questions and Answers on Ethanol in the context of the revision of the guideline on ‘Excipients in the label and package leaflet of medicinal products for human use’ (CPMP/463/00) [online]. Available at: https://www.gmp-compliance.org/guidelines/gmp-guideline/eudralex-volume-3-questions-and-answers-on-ethanol-in-the-context-of-the-revision-of-the-guideline-on-excipients-in-the-label-an [Accessed 30th April 2025] ↩︎
  10. Ref Chung E, Reinaker K, Meyers R. Ethanol Content of Medications and Its Effect on Blood Alcohol Concentration in Pediatric Patients. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. 2024 Apr;29(2):188-194. doi: 10.5863/1551-6776-29.2.188. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11001219/ ↩︎
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