Other synthetic alcohols used in medicines
This resource can help you understand how other common synthetic alcohols are used in medicines, and whether its use in medicines is halāl (permissible) or harām (prohibited) in Islam. This resource is for the Muslim community (including patients, carers, parents and members of the public). All healthcare professionals (HCPs), their teams and anyone involved in delivering care and support (across all care settings) to Muslim individuals, may also find it useful. It can be used to support person-centred and informed decision-making around taking medicines that align with an individual’s Islamic values and beliefs.
There is a table (listed in alphabetical order) to help you understand the common synthetic alcohols used in medicines, their purpose and if they are halāl or harām (including the reasoning) for people following a halal diet.
For information about ethanol use in medicines, see our separate guide on Ethanol in medicines.
The excipients listed in the table below are generally considered permissible for halāl diet due to their synthetic or plant-based origins and absence of animal-derived components. You may still want to check for halāl-certification with the manufacturer to ensure halāl-compliant manufacturing; however, they may have limited information.
| Excipient name | Purpose | Permissibility status |
|---|---|---|
| Benzyl alcohol | Used as a solubilising agent as well as a preservative in injectables and oral liquids.(1) | ✅ Halāl Synthetic or plant-derived, contains no ethanol, and non-intoxicating |
| Benzyl benzoate | Solvent in injectable as well as topical formulations. It is also used as a preservative in medications. (2) | ✅ Halāl Not an alcohol, contains no ethanol |
| Butyl alcohol (butanol) | Solvent in injectables and oral liquids. It can be used in trace amounts as a flavouring agent or as a preservative. (2) | ✅ Halāl Synthetic, contains no ethanol, and non-intoxicating |
| Cetostearyl alcohol | Stabilizer in oral tablets. In lotions, it can be used as an emulsifying agent or thickening agent.(2)(3) | ✅ Halāl Plant-derived or synthetic, contains no ethanol, and non-intoxicating |
| Dehydrated alcohol | Solvent and preservative in injectables and oral tinctures. It is also used as a processing aid in the film coating process for tablets and capsules.(2)(3) | ❌ Difference of opinion whether halāl or harām; read section on ethanol Contains ethanol and is intoxicating if ingested |
| Ethyl hydroxybenzoate | Preservative in topical treatments, injectables and oral liquids to inhibit microbial growth. (2) | ✅ Halāl Despite its name, not an alcohol, contains no ethanol |
| Industrial ethylated spirits (denatured alcohol) | Ethanol-based solvent used in pharmaceutical manufacturing. It is toxic to humans so is not used in formulations. (2) | ❌ Difference of opinion whether halāl or harām; read section on ethanol Contains ethanol and is intoxicating if ingested |
| Isopropyl alcohol | External antiseptic for skin disinfection and solvent. It is considered toxic so is not used in oral or injectables. (2)(3) | ✅ Halāl (External use) Synthetic, non-intoxicating, and used externally |
| Methyl-parahydroxybenzoate (methylparaben) | Preservative in injectables, oral liquids topical treatments and ophthalmic formulations to inhibit microbial growth. (2)(3) | ✅ Halāl Not classified as an alcohol, contains no ethanol |
| Parahydroxybenzoate (parabens) | General-purpose preservative in injectables, oral liquids, topical and ophthalmic formulations. (2)(3) | ✅ Halāl Not an alcohol, contains no ethanol |
| Phenylethyl alcohol | Preservative and antimicrobial agent in injectables, oral liquids and topical creams. It can also be used as a solvent in nasal and ophthalmic formulations. (2)(3) | ✅ Halāl Synthetic, contains no ethanol, and non-intoxicating |
| Polyvinyl alcohol | Film-forming agent and binder in oral tablets for stability and controlled release. It can be used to increase viscosity in ophthalmic formulations and can act as an emulsifying agent to prevent emulsions separating. (2)(3) | ✅ Halāl Synthetic, contains no ethanol, and non-intoxicating |
| Propyl hydroxybenzoate (propylparaben) | Preservative in injectables, oral liquids, ophthalmic and topical formulations to inhibit microbial growth (2)(3) | ✅ Halāl Not an alcohol, contains no ethanol |
| Propyl-parahydroxybenzoate | Preservative in injectables, oral liquids, ophthalmic and topical formulations to inhibit microbial growth (2)(3) | ✅ Halāl Not an alcohol, contains no ethanol |
| Sodium benzoate | Preservative, injectables and oral liquids, topical and ophthalmic formulations to inhibit microbial growth (2)(3) | ✅ Halāl Typically synthetic, contains no ethanol, and non-intoxicating |
How do I find out if a medicine contains a synthetic alcohol?
You can check if a medicine contains a synthetic alcohol using the relevant product patient information leaflet (PIL) or summary of product characteristics (SPC) which is available on the electronic medicines compendium (emc) website. You may also find our resource on ‘How to find out if a medicine contains harām ingredients and/or excipients’ useful. If you are still unsure if a medicine contains a synthetic alcohol listed above, or ethanol, speak to your local pharmacist as they are the experts in medicines.
It is important to remember that even if you find out a medicine contains possible harām ingredients and/or excipients, is derived from harām sources, or that there is cross-contamination with harām sources, this does not always mean it is prohibited to take/use. For further information, see our resource on ‘What to do if a medicine contains harām ingredients and/or excipients’. It includes the conditions of when it is acceptable to take/use a medicine in these circumstances. It can also be used to support person-centred discussions between individuals and HCPs, and help make informed decisions around taking medicines that are both clinically appropriate and align with an individual’s Islamic values and beliefs.
References and further reading
- European Medicines Agency. (n.d.). Benzyl alcohol. European Medicines Agency. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/benzyl-alcohol
- Rowe, R. C., Sheskey, P. J., & Quinn, M. E. (Eds.). (2009). Handbook of pharmaceutical excipients (6th ed.). Pharmaceutical Press.
- Allen, L. V., Popovich, N. G., & Ansel, H. C. (2013). Ansel’s pharmaceutical dosage forms and drug delivery systems (10th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.