ANIMAL INGREDIENTS

Hover over the tiles to learn more about animal-derived
ingredients commonly used in medications and supplements

LAL

Source: blood cells of the horseshoe crab

Typical use: detect presence of bacterial endotoxins in drugs and biological products

Fact: up to 30% of horseshoe crabs die during extraction

LIMULUS AMEBOCYTE LYSATE

Heparin

Source: mucosal tissues of slaughtered meat animals such as porcine or bovine

Typical use: anticoagulant (blood thinner)

Fact: originally derived from dog liver, which is "hepar" in Latin

HEPARIN

CHO Cells

Source: derived from the ovary of the Chinese hamster

Typical use: making monoclonal antibodies

Fact: first cell line was described in 1956

CHINESE HAMSTER OVARY CELLS

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Lactose

Source: cow milk

Typical use: filler/binder (inactive ingredient)

Fact: most common non-vegan ingredient

LACTOSE

Magnesium Stearate

Source: plant or animal

Typical use: emulsifier, binder, thickener, lubricant

Fact: derived from stearic acid

MAGNESIUM

STEARATE

Shellac

Source: insect

Typical use: pharmaceutical ink or glaze

Fact: popular in nail-polish

SHELLAC

Glucosamine

Source: shell fish

Typical use: dietary supplement

Fact: used for bone health

GLUCOSAMINE

Lanolin

Source: sheep wool

Typical use: emolient

Fact: found in many cosmetics

LANOLIN

Disodium Inosinate

Source: bacterial or meat extract

Typical use: flavor enhancer

Fact: tastes like umami

DISODIUM INOSINATE

Glycerin

Source: plant or animal

Typical use: solvent, excipient, humectant

Fact: also a laxative

GLYCERIN

Trypsin

Source: pork pancreatic enzyme

Typical use: digestion

Fact: helps break down protein

TRYPSIN

CARMINE

Carmine

Source: insect

Typical use: coloring agent

Fact: red colored cochineal extract from bugs

Hyaluronic Acid

Source: rooster comb or bacterial byproduct

Typical use: maintain hydration, control inflammation

Fact: also found in human joint fluid and eyes

HYALURONIC ACID

Captopril

Source: pit viper venom

Typical use: hypertension

Fact: also has mood-elevating properties

CAPTOPRIL

EXENDIN-4

Exendin-4

Source: Gila lizard saliva

Typical use: type 2 diabetes

Fact: has shown potential as an intervention for Alzheimer's disease

Gelatin

Source: cows and pigs

Typical use: capsule exterior, tablet binder

Fact: use dates back to 6000 BC

GELATIN

Chondroitin

Source: bovine or shark cartilage