Does Advil Liqui-Gels Contain Pork Gelatin?

Advil Liqui-Gels are a popular over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer. They provide fast-acting liquid relief in an easy to swallow capsule. However, many people wonder – do Advil Liqui-Gels contain pork gelatin? Let’s take a deeper look at the ingredients.

What Are Advil Liqui-Gels?

Advil Liqui-Gels are a form of ibuprofen designed to provide faster relief than regular tablets. According to the Advil website Liqui-Gels are intended for

• Pains and aches like headaches, muscle aches, backaches, arthritis, menstrual cramps, and toothaches can be temporarily eased.

• Temporarily reducing fever.

The “liqui” in Liqui-Gels refers to the liquid ibuprofen contained inside each capsule. This allows the medication to absorb into your bloodstream faster than regular tablets.

A lot of people like Liqui-Gels better than tablets because they are easier to swallow and help with pain faster.

Advil Liqui-Gels Ingredients

The active ingredient in Advil Liqui-Gels is ibuprofen. Ibuprofen belongs to a class of medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by blocking enzymes that cause pain and inflammation.

Besides ibuprofen, Advil Liqui-Gels also contain the following inactive ingredients:

• FD&C Green No. 3
• Gelatin
• Lecithin
• Medium-chain triglycerides
• Pharmaceutical ink
• Polyethylene glycol
• Potassium hydroxide
• Purified water
• Sorbitol sorbitan solution

So Advil Liqui-Gels do contain gelatin. But what kind of gelatin is it?

Does Advil Contain Pork Gelatin?

Many people want to know if Advil Liqui-Gels contain pork gelatin for religious, vegetarian, or vegan reasons.

The Advil website does not specify which type of gelatin is used in their products. It simply lists “gelatin” as an inactive ingredient.

However, several sources indicate that Advil Liqui-Gels likely contain pork gelatin:

• On Amazon’s “Customer Questions & Answers” page for Advil, the manufacturer stated: “The Ibuprofen contains stearic acid which is derived from bovine (beef).” This suggests the gelatin itself is not beef-derived.

• According to PETA’s list of gelatin-containing pain relievers, Advil Liqui-Gels have a “High Probability of Animal-Derived Gelatin.” They state that Advil gel capsules contain porcine gelatin.

• Multiple consumer comments on Amazon and other sites report being told by Advil customer service that their products contain pork gelatin.

So while it’s not conclusively proven, most signs point to Advil Liqui-Gels containing gelatin sourced from pigs.

Alternatives to Advil Liqui-Gels

If you want to avoid pork products, here are a few alternative pain relievers to consider:

Tablets

• Advil tablets – These regular ibuprofen tablets do not contain gelatin, only starch.

• Tylenol tablets – Also gelatin-free. The regular strength Tylenol tablets contain starch and the extra strength version has magnesium stearate.

Liquid Gels

• UpSpring Stomach Settlers – These ginger liquid capsules help soothe nausea and upset stomach. The vegetarian capsules are made from hypromellose, a vegetarian/vegan alternative to gelatin.

• Nature’s Way Choline & Inositol – This supplement helps liver health. The liquid capsules contain kosher, plant-based ingredients.

• Nature Made Vitamin D3 Softgels – Contains cholecalciferol, a vegan form of vitamin D3. The bovine-free softgels are made from glycerin and purified water.

Topical Pain Relief

• Aspercreme with Lidocaine – This over-the-counter cream contains 4% lidocaine to relieve muscle, joint, and back pains. It uses beeswax instead of animal-derived waxes or gelatin.

• Salonpas Pain Relief Patch – Uses methyl salicylate and menthol to reduce aches and pains. Free of common allergens including gelatin.

Alternate Ingredients

Rather than reaching for ibuprofen, you could try pain relievers containing acetaminophen, naproxen sodium, or aspirin instead. Read labels carefully as some forms (like gel caps or coated tablets) may contain non-vegetarian ingredients.

How to Identify Gelatin Source

Unfortunately, most medication labels do not specify which type of gelatin is used – pork, beef, or otherwise. Here are some tips for finding out:

• Look for certifications – Kosher or Halal certified products must avoid pork-derived gelatin. Vegetarian or Vegan labels also indicate the gelatin source is not animal-based.

• Contact the manufacturer – You can call or email the drug company and ask if their gelatin is pork-derived. Keep in mind that customer service reps may not know the exact source.

• Check online resources – Organizations like PETA sometimes directly contact companies about ingredients. Their reports indicate a product’s likelihood of containing pork gelatin.

• Look for alternatives – When in doubt, choose a pain reliever that doesn’t contain mysterious “gelatin” like tablets, caplets, or alternate drug types.

Should You Avoid Pork Gelatin?

Whether you need to avoid gelatin from pork for religious, ethical, or personal health reasons, limiting products containing undefined “gelatin” is a smart choice.

However, gelatin itself does not present significant health risks. While it’s worth scrutinizing medication ingredients, gelatin avoidance is ultimately a personal decision. Discuss your concerns and options with your doctor if needed.

Some groups choose to avoid pork gelatin including:

• Muslims and Jews – Religious dietary laws prohibit consumption of pork products. Medications are generally exempted out of medical necessity.

• Vegetarians and vegans – People avoiding meat for ethical reasons want to ensure they do not ingest animal-derived substances.

• Allergies – A small number of people have true gelatin allergies, especially to beef gelatin.

• Special diets – Some elimination diets like autoimmune protocol (AIP) initially restrict pork and gelatin.

On the other hand, the average person without dietary restrictions does not need to worry about pork gelatin in their medications or supplements. While the lack of transparency is far from ideal, gelatin itself is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA.

The Bottom Line

Advil Liqui-Gels likely contain gelatin derived from pork, but the manufacturer does not disclose the specific source.

If you wish to avoid pork for personal or religious reasons, speak to your pharmacist about gelatin-free alternatives. Tablets, caplets, or non-NSAID pain relievers are good options. You can also look for certifications like kosher, halal, vegetarian, or vegan on medication packaging.

In general, gelatin is not hazardous unless you have a allergy or adhere to a diet that restricts pork. Being vigilant about label reading is wise. But in most cases, the benefits of needed medications outweigh a small amount of ambiguous gelatin.