Are any prescription drugs vegan?

[jpgray]

Per the FDA, all new drugs are required to have an animal testing phase. Are vegans disallowed from using prescription drugs, or is an exception made in this case? In what other similar cases are exceptions viable?

(Note this is not intended as a snarky call-out, and I'm sorry if it's taken that way. To exult over an exceptional case where someone who tries to do the least harm is forced to bend their rules is not only tacky but hypocritical.)

[yewberry]

1. Well, it's not like there's a judge with a big rubber "V" stamp somewhere.

We all know that it's virtually impossible to live in the world and use no animal products whatsoever. Everyone has to make their own decisions about what they will or will not be part of.

For example, there are animal products in tires. So, what, do vegans have to walk everywhere? No. That's really not a viable alternative. There are some people who do try to avoid drugs because they are tested on animals, but that's another one of those areas in which there is simply no viable alternative.

So yeah, you have it right. The entire effort is meant to do the least possible harm. Sometimes people get this crazy idea that veganism is a series of lists and proscriptions followed for the sake of asceticism or something.

[jpgray]

2. Thanks.

I think when people have a strict moral code, it makes others more anxious to point out any inconsistencies. A small or necessary inconsistency can't debase all the good that comes from that code, but for some reason it's what people tend to focus on.

[yewberry]

3. Sure.

You changed the OP, but I guess I still answered your question?

Yeah, the charges of hypocrisy aren't uncommon at all. It's not like there's some list of "purity standards" to uphold--I guess that's why there's some confusion about stuff like breast milk (and s-e-x) by some folks.

[jpgray]

4. It was drifting off the page, so I decided to make the title more specific

[Susang]

5. I'll throw another wrench into the equation

Many drugs use gelatin as a binding agent. Generics specifically, as they tend to use less expensive additives in order to keep costs down. However, generics are usually not animal tested, as the drug they are copying already was, so it isn't thought necessary. So, if your generic is not made with any animal products, you technically have a vegan drug. Still, since the original chemical compound was invariably brought to market after animal testing, it could be said that no drug is philosophically vegan.

Same goes for drugs that are old enough where their active ingredient's properties have been shown effective over a long enough period where they don't require any animal testing. You can pretty much bet that somewhere along the line, the active compound in that drug was tested on animals by the original developer.

I have to take a rather large amount of medication and try to reduce the use of animal products in the drugs I have to use. Unfortunately for me, the only drug that is effective for my thyroid disease is derived from pigs, so while I do my best to be a vegetarian, I will never truly be able to be one as long as I'm taking my Armour thyroid pills.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

6. Can Vegans use vaseline (petroleum jelly)

when they have unprotected sex?
edit: spelling

[Sock Puppet]

7. is petroleum jelly vegan?

Had no idea.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

9. I would think not

[Marrah_G]

12. Vaseline and sex is a bad combo

Provides good breeding place for bacteria. Water based lubricant is the way to go!


O8)

[goodhue]

8. Vegan is a dietary code

And should not be lumped together with more extreme PETA principles.
I know plenty of vegans who wear leather for example.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

10. then they're not vegans, are they

no honey for example

[goodhue]

11. no

you're wrong

Dennis Kucinich for example is a vegan who consumes honey and wears leather wing tips.