Based on FDA | Does clopidogrel contain any pork-derived ingredients such as porcine gelatin?

Most clopidogrel tablets do not list pork-derived ingredients like porcine gelatin in their official ingredient lists. Instead, commonly listed inactive ingredients include lactose, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose (HPMC), polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, iron oxides for color, hydrogenated castor oil, crospovidone, triacetin, and similar tablet excipients. ^{[1] [2]} These ingredient lists come from multiple clopidogrel tablet product labels and do not include gelatin. ^{[1] [3]}

What official labels say

• Several clopidogrel tablet labels detail inactive ingredients such as crospovidone, hydrogenated castor oil, hydroxypropyl cellulose (including low‑substituted), hypromellose, iron oxide red, lactose monohydrate, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol 6000, titanium dioxide, and triacetin. Gelatin is not listed. ^{[1] [3]}
• Other approved clopidogrel tablets list anhydrous lactose, colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, methylcellulose, zinc stearate in the core, and coatings with ferric oxide red, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide again, no gelatin. ^{[2] [4]}
• Additional labels show similar compositions (e.g., mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, low‑substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, hydrogenated castor oil in the core; hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, titanium dioxide, triacetin in the film coat; and shellac glaze and iron oxides in the imprint ink) without listing gelatin. ^{[5] [6]}

Why this matters for pork-derived content

• Porcine or bovine gelatin is typically used in soft capsules or as a binding/film-forming agent in some products, but clopidogrel is marketed broadly as a film‑coated tablet using cellulose-based polymers (hypromellose/HPMC) and plasticizers like triacetin or polyethylene glycol rather than gelatin. Official tablet formulas here use non-gelatin film coats. ^{[1] [2]}
• Because ingredient lists vary by manufacturer and strength, checking the exact product’s label is safest; however, the representative labels above consistently omit gelatin. ^{[3] [5]}

Practical guidance if you avoid pork-derived ingredients

• Check your exact product: Look at the manufacturer name and NDC on your bottle, then review the corresponding label to confirm excipients match those listed above. Labels that list hypromellose-based coatings and do not list gelatin are not expected to contain porcine gelatin. ^{[1] [2]}
• Ask your pharmacist: They can verify the specific generic’s full excipient list and, if needed, dispense a version whose label clearly has no gelatin. Many generics list only cellulose-based coatings. ^{[3] [5]}
• Consider dye and lactose: Some clopidogrel tablets include lactose and iron oxide dyes; if you have lactose intolerance sensitivities or dye concerns, your pharmacist can select a suitable alternative. ^{[2] [5]}

Bottom line

Based on multiple official clopidogrel tablet labels, porcine gelatin is not listed and these products commonly use cellulose-based film coats instead of gelatin. ^{[1] [2]} Nonetheless, because excipients can differ among manufacturers, it’s best to verify your specific product’s label or ask your pharmacist for a gelatin‑free version. ^{[3] [5]}