medications

[Julie]

Hi there, I'm new here so I'm not sure if this has been asked a 1000 times...What medications are vegan? I try to stay away from medications, but I would like to have a back up on hand or a list available. Also, what about children's cough syrups/ Thx, Julie.

[VOW]

To Julie:

I'm new too, so I don't have a clue as to what medications are Vegan and which ones are not.

However, for prescription drugs, testing MUST be done.

And here is my take on that: I have several chronic health conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and now diabetes. I'm doing what I can to convert to a healthier way of life (hence Vegan), but I also know that even if I exercised 24/7 and brought my weight down to what the medical profession considers to be "the right weight," I most likely would still have at least some of the symptoms that would have to be treated with medication. And even though I'm a Type 2 Diabetic (non-insulin dependent), the day might arrive when my diabetes progresses to the point where my pancreas just stops making insulin. I'd have to use insulin or die.

I still have a LOT more living to do!

So, for me, while I will do what I can with what I eat, educate myself about my personal health, take an active role in my medical treatment, and accept medication that is necessary.

My children are grown now, but I pretty much did the very same with them when they were young. My son had rampant ear infections, to the point where he had surgery for the tubes THREE TIMES. My daughter is accident prone, and used to bust bones for entertainment, it seemed, LOL. I would never have withheld medical treatment or prescription medication from them under the guise of the medicine being "non-Vegan."

As for over-the-counter children's cough remedies, use what works. When a child has bronchitis, EVERYONE needs rest, Mom and kid included.

IMHO, Veganism is more about what makes sense.


~VOW

[Erin Pavlina]

All over the counter and prescription drugs have to undergo animal testing to be approved by the FDA, so in that sense, you won't find an all vegan medicine.

My philosophy on using medicine is do what you have to to survive. The animals need you alive and active to help end their torment.

There are children's cough syrups that are better and more natural than others. Try Hylands and there are some others whose names escape me. But go to a health food store and look around. You'll find something that isn't too bad.

[alexis]

You could try natural medicine like aromatherapy. I practise alot of it at home. There's this book i use called 'The Fragrant pharmarcy'. They have treatments for quite alot of illnesses and alot of recipes for toiletries and everyday stuff...It's not vegan, they use stuff like honey and lanolin but most of the stuff in it are worth a look...see if you can find it at a library...