By Jeanne Yacoubou, MS
In September 2024, The VRG received an email from pharmacist Jasmine Uchi at VeganMed about our 2022 article on alpha-gal syndrome (AGS). In that article, we stated that beef-derived magnesium stearate and stearic acid used as inactive ingredients in pharmaceuticals could produce symptoms, some of them life-threatening, in people with AGS, but were not commonly found in them today. This conclusion was based on interviews with major manufacturers of magnesium stearate and stearic acid and with several drug manufacturers. We learned from them that plant-derived ingredients were more common but not guaranteed in all cases and made this clear in our article.
As a result, we emphasized in our article that concerned individuals – such as AGS sufferers, people with dairy allergies, and vegans – should investigate the ingredient sources used in each and every bottle of medication that they are prescribed before purchase. Some ingredient sources frequently change based on supply availability without prior notice. To prevent misunderstanding and potential legal liability, pharmaceutical makers will often state that either plant- or animal-derived ingredients may be used. Labels – including package inserts – may not specify the source. The only way to find out is to contact the manufacturer and hope the information you receive is accurate and up-to-date.
Uchi wrote about our article: “While the information presented is valuable, it is crucial to recognize that pharmaceutical manufacturers can change their formulations or suppliers at any time. This year, we have received confirmations from several manufacturers indicating that their magnesium stearate does contain animal-sourced components.” We asked for the names of manufacturers who use beef-derived inactive ingredients in their products. We were then told: “After careful consideration and discussion with our team, we have determined that providing the names of manufacturers who use animal-derived stearic acid is not advisable, as formulations can change over time. We recommend regularly verifying this information with the manufacturers or utilizing trusted sources…”
VeganMed Pharmacy List for “Alpha-Gal-Friendly” and “Vegan-Friendly” Medications
For this article update, The VRG wanted to provide additional information, so we turned to the VeganMed website. We found a list of ten pharmacies designated as “alpha-gal-friendly” and “vegan-friendly.”
We contacted each of them by phone in search of three of the medications we had researched in our previous article: lisinopril, vicodin, and clonidine at various dosages.
Three pharmacies did not respond. Of those that did respond, except for one pharmacy, they were all aware of VeganMed and their listing on that site as a source of “alpha-gal-friendly” medications. A few immediately said they’d contact VeganMed for “alpha-gal-friendly” makers of the three pharmaceuticals. Others stated they compound (i.e., formulate) their own medications as a way to guarantee that their products are vegan. To compound, they purchase the active ingredient and mix it on site with plant-derived inactive ingredients to make tablets.
As noted in the table below, all pharmacies except one are licensed to sell medications – including online sales – only in their state.
| Pharmacy | State | Comments |
| Debbie’s Family Pharmacy | AR | Most helpful of all; offered to call my local pharmacy to assist; will compound or sell VeganMed-certified meds |
| OptioRx | All | Spoke with the IL pharmacist; they only do compounding and only in capsule or liquid form (no tablets); not sure how OptioRx operates in other states |
| ScriptWorks | CA | Compounding only; could make only 1 of the 3 based on active ingredient availability |
| Ozark Total Healthcare | MO | Offered to ask VeganMed and relay information. |
| 501 Pharmacy | NC | Very helpful; offers compounding and reselling VeganMed-certified products; contacted VeganMed and forwarded list of makers to The VRG |
| Tahlequah Drug Company | OK | Very helpful; Called back with information requested from VeganMed and she followed up with companies to confirm; reported vegan lisinopril available from Solco; vegan vicodin available as liquid only from Eywa; vegan clonidine available from Ajanta or Lupin |
| Claremore Indian Hospital | OK | Pharmacist not aware of VeganMed listing; looked up drugs they use and found (1) lisinopril made by Exelan and (2) vicodin made by Mallinckrodt, both containing lactose and magnesium stearate (either plant or animal); and (3) clonidine made by Teva contains magnesium stearate of unknown source |
The VeganMed website has a brief description about how they certify medications as “alpha-gal-friendly” or “vegan-friendly.” It appears they require written documentation from manufacturers. It’s unknown whether VeganMed independently tests drug samples to determine if animal ingredients are present. It appears they certify dozens, if not hundreds, of companies spanning pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and dietary supplements.
Yet, even with certification, it’s unlikely there will be an absolute guarantee that the medication in the bottle you’re holding in your hand is vegan unless the manufacturer had previously declared that they never use animal ingredients. To the best of our knowledge, no drug manufacturer has ever made such a vegan declaration. People with AGS or dairy allergies need to be aware of this.
It’s best to use a VeganMed’s “alpha-gal-friendly” or “vegan-friendly” certification as a starting point, – but contact the manufacturer yourself as verification.
We asked several pharmacists interviewed for this article if they knew of – or had done business with – a confirmed vegan drug manufacturer. They all replied that they had not ever heard of a vegan drug manufacturer. Likewise, they knew of no manufacturer that usually or always uses animal-derived ingredients.
One pharmacist said that questions about inactive ingredients have “exploded” since AGS has become more well-known in recent years. He also said researching inactive ingredient sources is “new” for pharmacists and they must trust what manufacturers tell them just like consumers.
The VeganMed site contains a store where you can purchase many over-the-counter medications and personal care items that have been approved by VeganMed as “animal-free.” Once you click the Buy Now button, you are automatically directed to Amazon.com. By the URL that appears in the address bar, VeganMed is an Amazon affiliate, earning a commission on products sold.
Finding Vegan Medications
Inactive ingredients in many medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, may be animal-derived. Companies are not legally required to list sources on labels. So, what can you do if you are vegan or have AGS or dairy allergies? Here are a few suggestions.
- When in doubt, contact the drug manufacturer and request ingredient source information in writing. Be specific about the dosage you’ve been prescribed. Provide the NDC number (usually on the front of a package under the brand name) and the lot number if possible.
- Consult VeganMed website’s helpful list of animal-derived ingredients presented as an infographic in a blog post on their site. Although the list is AGS-related, and may not be exhaustive, those ingredients are used in all sorts of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and dietary supplements. Use that list as a starting point in your own drug research.
- Repeat this process for every prescription refill, even if filled at the same pharmacy. It cannot be overstated that ingredient suppliers may change without notice.
The contents of this posting, our website and our other publications, including Vegan Journal, are not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. We often depend on product and ingredient information from company statements. It is impossible to be 100% sure about a statement, info can change, people have different views, and mistakes can be made. Please use your best judgment about whether a product is suitable for you. To be sure, do further research or confirmation on your own.