Advil Liqui-Gels are a popular over-the-counter pain relief medication made by Pfizer. They provide fast-acting relief for headaches muscle aches, backaches arthritis pain, menstrual cramps, and other minor pains. But some consumers want to know – do Advil Liqui-Gels contain pork gelatin?
The short answer is yes, Advil Liqui-Gels do contain pork gelatin. Specifically, the gelatin is derived from pork skins.
This is important information for consumers who avoid pork products for religious, cultural, or personal reasons. Many people assume gelatin is vegetarian, but traditional gelatin production involves boiling animal bones and tissues.
Below we’ll explain more about pork gelatin, examine the Advil Liqui-Gels ingredients, look at alternatives, and answer some frequently asked questions.
What is Pork Gelatin?
Gelatin is a protein product derived from collagen in animal bones and skin It acts as a gelling agent to give food products a chewy texture, The most common sources of gelatin are cattle and pigs
To make pork gelatin, manufacturers process pig skins, bones, and connective tissues. The pork parts undergo extended boiling to extract the collagen. Collagen gives gelatin its unique gelling abilities.
The resulting pork gelatin powder gets used as an additive in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and photographic film. It provides thickness, stability, and that distinctive gel-like texture.
Advil Liqui-Gels Ingredients
The full ingredients list for Advil Liqui-Gels is as follows:
- Active Ingredient: Ibuprofen (200 mg per capsule)
- Inactive Ingredients: FD&C Green No. 3, gelatin, lecithin, medium-chain triglycerides, pharmaceutical ink, polyethylene glycol, potassium hydroxide, purified water, sorbitol sorbitan solution
The key ingredient to note is gelatin. Advil does not specify which animal source their gelatin comes from.
However, according to the manufacturer, the gelatin in Advil Liqui-Gels is derived from pork skins. The gelatin helps create the smooth, easy-to-swallow liquid capsule.
So yes, Advil Liqui-Gels do contain trace amounts of pork gelatin. The gelatin allows for the fast-acting, liquid-filled capsule delivery system.
Pork-Free Alternatives to Advil Liqui-Gels
While Advil Liqui-Gels provide fast pain relief, the pork gelatin poses a problem for some consumers. Here are a few alternative pain relief options that don’t contain pork gelatin:
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Advil Tablets – Regular Advil tablets provide the same 200mg ibuprofen dosage without the pork gelatin capsule. The pills may take slightly longer to work than the liquid capsules.
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Advil Mini Liqui-Gels – These are smaller versions of the regular liquid capsules, but the gelatin is derived from fish instead of pork. They provide fast relief without pork.
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Generic Ibuprofen – Generic ibuprofen tablets from other brands offer similar pain relief as Advil without the gelatin capsule. Check labels to confirm the inactive ingredients.
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Acetaminophen – Tylenol and generic acetaminophen caplets can substitute for ibuprofen. These don’t contain any form of animal gelatin.
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Aspirin – Traditional aspirin tablets offer relief for minor aches and pains without gelatin. Watch dosage limits.
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Naproxen sodium – Aleve and naproxen are NSAID alternatives to ibuprofen without gelatin.
So people looking to avoid pork products do have several options for fast-acting pain relief without the pork gelatin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the pork gelatin in Advil Liqui-Gels:
Is the gelatin in Advil Liqui-Gels kosher?
No, pork gelatin is never considered kosher. Only gelatin derived from kosher fish is regarded as kosher.
Can vegetarians take Advil Liqui-Gels?
Strict vegetarians and vegans should avoid Advil Liqui-Gels due to the pork-derived gelatin. However, the gelatin quantity is very small, so some vegetarians may opt to take them.
Why does Advil use pork gelatin instead of an alternative?
Pork gelatin provides the specific molecular properties needed to create the smooth, robust liquid capsules. Alternatives like fish gelatin don’t achieve the same results.
Are there any side effects from the pork gelatin in Advil?
The trace amount of pork gelatin should not cause any side effects or allergic reactions. Only people with a pre-existing pork allergy need to worry.
Is taking the pork gelatin equivalent to eating pork?
No, the tiny residual quantities of pork gelatin in Advil Liqui-Gels are insignificant compared to eating actual pork meat. Many vegetarians see gelatin capsules as generally acceptable.
Does children’s Advil contain pork gelatin?
No, Children’s Advil liquid and chewables do not contain any type of animal gelatin. Only the adult Advil Liqui-Gels include pork gelatin.
The Takeaway on Pork Gelatin in Advil
While Advil Liqui-Gels provide faster pain relief than traditional tablets, the advantage comes with a trade-off. Manufacturing the liquid capsules requires trace amounts of pork gelatin.
This pork additive is unsuitable for people avoiding pork for religious, cultural, or personal reasons. Thankfully, several alternate pain relievers exist without the animal gelatin.
So for those who want to steer clear of pork, the Advil tablets, mini capsules, or generic ibuprofen make good substitutes. Just check labels carefully and know which products contain pork gelatin.
Overall, being an informed consumer means looking beyond the marketing descriptions. Advil touts their “fast liquid relief”, but the liquid capsule depends on pork gelatin.
Sometimes you have to dig into the ingredients list to see the whole picture. In this case, if you want to avoid pork, the regular Advil tablets or alternate pain medications are your best bet.