Do gabapentin capsules contain pork-derived gelatin, and are there pork-free or vegetarian formulations available? | Based on FDA

Most gabapentin capsules on the market use hard capsule shells that contain gelatin, but the official ingredient lists do not specify the animal source of that gelatin. ^{[1] [2]} Because “gelatin” on U.S. labeling is typically listed without origin, it may be bovine, porcine, or fish-derived depending on the manufacturer and batch, so the pork status cannot be confirmed from the label alone. ^{[3] [4]}

What’s in gabapentin capsules?

• Several FDA-listed generic gabapentin capsule products state that the capsule shell contains “gelatin,” alongside other excipients such as sodium lauryl sulfate and titanium dioxide. ^{[1] [2]}
• Example listings show: 100‑mg shells with gelatin, sodium lauryl sulfate, and titanium dioxide; 300‑mg shells with gelatin plus colorants; and 400‑mg shells with gelatin plus colorants. ^{[1] [2]}
• Other DailyMed entries for gabapentin capsules similarly list “gelatin” or “gelatin, unspecified” in the shell. ^{[3] [4]}

Does “gelatin” mean pork?

• U.S. drug labels must list the excipient name (e.g., gelatin) but are not required to state its animal origin, so “gelatin” does not inherently confirm or exclude pork (porcine) content. ^{[3] [4]}
• Because multiple manufacturers produce gabapentin generics, the source of gelatin can vary; the label’s “gelatin” entry therefore does not assure pork-free status. ^{[5] [6]}

Pork-free or vegetarian options

• Many gabapentin capsules use gelatin shells, and the official listings do not identify plant-based shells for the capsule versions referenced. ^{[1] [2]}
• A practical alternative is to use gabapentin tablets (not capsules) from manufacturers that offer a tablet dosage form, since tablets do not require a gelatin shell; some product lines include both capsules and tablets under the same label, with separate ingredient lists for each. ^{[2] [7]}
• For capsule products specifically, the presence of “gelatin” suggests they are not reliably vegetarian or pork-free unless the manufacturer certifies the gelatin source as bovine, fish, or synthetic and confirms no porcine content. ^{[3] [4]}

How to obtain a verified pork-free option

• Identify the exact manufacturer and NDC (National Drug Code) of your dispensed gabapentin, then request the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) or an excipient origin statement from the manufacturer to confirm whether the gelatin is porcine, bovine, fish, or non‑animal. ^{[5] [8]}
• Ask your pharmacist to source a gabapentin tablet formulation from a manufacturer that lists no gelatin in the ingredients, which can be a more reliable path to a pork‑free/vegetarian option. ^{[2] [7]}
• If a capsule must be used, your pharmacist can contact different generic suppliers to check whether any current capsule batches use non‑porcine gelatin; however, this is not guaranteed, and availability may vary by time and region. ^{[5] [6]}

Key takeaways

• “Gelatin” is listed in many gabapentin capsule shells, but the animal source is not specified on standard labels. ^{[1] [2]}
• Due to that uncertainty, gabapentin capsules cannot be assumed pork‑free unless verified directly with the manufacturer for the specific lot. ^{[3] [4]}
• Gabapentin tablets are a viable alternative that avoid gelatin shells and may better meet pork‑free or vegetarian requirements. ^{[2] [7]}