I just searched for any postings on meds, but it didn't prove very fruitful. I was hoping some of you could give your perspectives on medications that contain animal products (directed towards those of us that are vegan). Most, if not all, medications have been tested on animals at some stage, but those that directly state their non-veganness (eg: contains lactose) is what I'm concerned about. Do you/Would you take it even though you know it's not vegan?
We have discussed this before hehe and the end result was itl depends on why.
Slight headache - I won't bother. 4 wisdom teeth out - I'm sorry but I had to pop a few pills.
I feel if you are prescribed something - there is a reason. To fight infection, to get well, or to survive. Without said meds you could possibly die. You can't fight the man when you're dead.
The answer lies in prevention rather than a cure!
With a wholistic approach to health - mind, body and soul - you can prevent disease.
When disease or illness does occur, again a wholistic approach is necessary for curing, and future prevention.
For many common illnesses there are herbal or plant remedies available, closer to their natural form than pharmaceuticals. You'd be surprised how much you can get out of your own backyard, or just a supermarket.
This is extremely valuable information, especially for someone who doesn't wish to support companies who test on animals or use animal ingredients.
'You Can Heal Your Life' by Louise L Hay is an amazing book showing you many, many natural ways to ease pain and treat health problems.
'Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom' by Christiane Northrup is a great one too.
Arming yourself with this information means you can avoid this corrupt system altogether!!
Just to add to that, if you feel you need pharmaceuticals for any reason, I don't think veganism should really stop you from taking them. The contraceptive pill, for example.
I went off the pill because I didn't want to mess with my hormones anymore and I was just suss on it in general. But the lactose in it had nothing to do with my decision - to avoid the pill solely due to veganism wouldn't really make sense to me - it's a minute amount of milk extract and it's a convenient oral contraceptive - its purpose outweighs its milk content in my opinion. There are alternatives like the NuvaRing and such but who knows whether they've been tested on animals somewhere along the line, and even if not, the company who manufactures it has surely tested other products on animals at some point!
Basically all pharmaceuticals are tied in to animal cruelty through their history or current practise - if you need the medicine, generally you need to just put aside your vegan values I think.
We have discussed this before hehe and the end result was itl depends on why.
Slight headache - I won't bother. 4 wisdom teeth out - I'm sorry but I had to pop a few pills.
I feel if you are prescribed something - there is a reason. To fight infection, to get well, or to survive. Without said meds you could possibly die. You can't fight the man when you're dead.
The contraceptive pill, for example.
I went off the pill because I didn't want to mess with my hormones anymore and I was just suss on it in general. But the lactose in it had nothing to do with my decision - to avoid the pill solely due to veganism wouldn't really make sense to me - it's a minute amount of milk extract and it's a convenient oral contraceptive - its purpose outweighs its milk content in my opinion.
I just skip the lactose ones. They just contain lactose and only use them to make it easy for women to remember to take a pill every day, instead of missing 7 days in between.
