Vegans, how to you avoid gelatin capsules?

Question

Gelatin capsules are used for herbs, medications, and other supplements. Is there an alternate source or do you empty the contents and swallow them without the capsule?

Answer 1

There are dozens of vegan brands of medications, herbs, vitamins, and other supplements available.  You just gotta look for them.

Answer 2

For vitamins and supplements, alternatives are available - most health shops will carry vitamins in vegi-caps.

For medication there isn't really an easy solution. I have sometimes transferred the medication from a gelatine capsule to an empty vegi-cap, and I once emptied the contents of a gelatine capsule into a drink - but once only. This isn't a good idea - many medications in capsules are time-released and taking them in one hit can make you feel very ill, as I did. Transferring the contents to vegi-caps can have the same consequence.

So - vitamins and supplements, buy the ones in vegan capsules.

Medication - judge how serious it is and how much you need that pill. If it's essential - just take the gelatine capsule. Being vegan means minimising your personal contribution to animal suffering as far as you reasonably and practically can, it doesn't mean being a martyr. Putting your health or life at risk is not vegan, it's silly.

Answer 3

Im a vegan and a lot of the pills i take arent in gel capsules. its pretty easy to avoid them. if a doctor prescribes a gel capsule just ask for a different pill. im sure it would be no problem. or you could just take chewables or liquid.

Answer 4

If you go to a health food store like whole foods, they usually sell vitamins and supplements in vegetarian capsules, made without the gelatin.

If I can't find that though, occasionally I will just empty the capsule, mixing the contents in a glass of water if they taste bad.