if their meds contain animal products

March 2012

Some patients are asking if their meds contain animal products.

Keep the biggies in mind. Desiccated thyroid comes from pig thyroids...heparin from pig intestines...pancreatic enzymes from pig pancreases...Premarin from pregnant mares' urine...and some vaccines (influenza, MMR, etc) are grown in eggs.

Glucosamine is usually from shellfish...chondroitin from cartilage...vitamin D3 from lanolin...and heme iron (Proferrin) from animal blood. Omega-3 fatty acids are often from fish oil...and calcium can come from oyster shells or animal bones.

Get concise, unbiased advice for effective drug therapy, plus CE/CME

Prescriber's Letter includes:

12 issues every year, with brief articles about new meds and guidelines
48+ CE courses, including the popular CE-in-the-Letter
Quick reference drug comparison charts
Access to the entire archive

Subscribe Today!

Already a subscriber? Log in

Volume pricing available. Get a quote

Cardiology new Chest guidelines will create more debate about which anticoagulant to use to prevent strokes in atrial fib patients
Cardiology more generic ARBs in 2012
Gastroenterology new warnings that PPIs (omeprazole, etc) might increase the risk of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea
Women's Health whether it's okay for women with migraine headaches to use combined oral contraceptives
Diabetes Bydureon (by-DUR-ee-on), the new long-acting form of Byetta (exenatide) for type 2 diabetes
Dermatology Picato (pih-KAY-toe) gel as a more convenient topical treatment for actinic keratosis
Dermatology Many OTCs for bruises and scars don't work
Infectious Diseases fewer options for treating pinworms now that mebendazole (Vermox, etc) is discontinued
Antithrombotics whether it's okay to use aspirin to prevent thrombosis after hip or knee replacement surgery
Opioids how to handle drug interaction alerts for tramadol
Practice if their meds contain animal products
Neurology & Pain You'll get questions about what works for essential tremor

if their meds contain animal products

Get concise, unbiased advice for effective drug therapy, plus CE/CME

Table of Contents