Shellac in medicines

Shellac in medicines

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

Table Of Contents

What is shellac and how is it used in medicines?
🕌 Islamic ruling on shellac
⚠️ Important information for patients
FAQs
Disclaimer
References and further resources

What is shellac and how is it used in medicines?

Shellac is a natural resin. It is derived from the secretions of the female lac insect. It is used in medicines as a protective coating for tablets and capsules that are sensitive to moisture, light, or air.¹

Blister pack of red and white capsules isolated against a simple background.

Shellac is derived from the lac insect

🕌 Islamic ruling on shellac

Source	Ruling (Hanafi,Maliki, Shafiʿi and Hanbali)
Shellac (source: secretion of the lac insect)	✅ Halal

According to the four Sunni schools of thought (Hanafi,Maliki, Shafiʿi and Hanbali), shellac is considered halal because it is a secretion making it legally pure (tahir), by analogy with beeswax and silk.²

For a more detailed explanation regarding the reasons behind these rulings, click the button below.

Shellac: additional Islamic information

⚠️ 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

How can I check if a medicine contains shellac?

(See our resource on ‘How to check if a medicine contains haram ingredients/excipients’ (link) for help with the below).

If you are a patient, look for “shellac” in the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) which can be found in the medicine packaging.
Ask your pharmacist for help if needed – they are medicine experts.

If you are a healthcare professional, you can check the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) which is available on the electronic medicines compendium (emc) website.

As a healthcare professional, how can I support a Muslim patient regarding this?

For HCPs and anyone involved in delivering care, it is important to support Muslim patients through open, person-centred discussions about their personal values and beliefs relating to their care.It is also important to help patients make informed decisions around their treatment and medicines that are both clinically appropriate and align with their Islamic values and beliefs.

HCPs may find our resource on ‘Supporting Muslim patients in consultations – a guide for healthcare professionals‘ helpful in facilitating these discussions with understanding and sensitivity.

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 resources

Introduction of shellac as a pharmaceutical excipient (2024) Pharma Excipients. Available
at: https://www.pharmaexcipients.com/shellac-excipient/. ↩︎
Rashid, R. (n.d.). Islamic rulings on the ḥalāl and ḥarām in medicine and food: Principles and applications. Al Balāgh Academy Publication Papers ↩︎