Based on NIH | Does ibuprofen contain pork-derived ingredients such as porcine gelatin, and how can I find a pork-free option?

Ibuprofen itself does not contain pork, but some ibuprofen products do use gelatin in the capsule shell or as an excipient, and that gelatin may be animal‑derived (which can include porcine). Solid ibuprofen tablets without a gelatin shell are commonly available and can be pork‑free, so checking the specific product’s inactive ingredients is essential. ^{[1] [2]}

Why some ibuprofen may contain pork

• Capsule shells and softgels often use gelatin to form the outer shell. Gelatin listed on labels is frequently “gelatin (unspecified),” which means the animal source (porcine, bovine, fish) is not disclosed on the package; manufacturers may use porcine gelatin. ^[1]
• Several ibuprofen/ibuprofen-combination liquid‑filled capsules list “gelatin” among inactive ingredients, without specifying the source, so these may not be suitable if you must strictly avoid pork. ^{[1] [3]}
• Formulators sometimes use gelatin within the tablet matrix to improve dissolution or absorption, though this is not universal; many tablets do not contain gelatin. ^{[4] [5]}

Pork‑free options you can consider

• Choose standard ibuprofen tablets that do not list gelatin in the inactive ingredients. Many generic tablets are formulated with common tablet excipients (e.g., cellulose, starches, povidone, magnesium stearate, hypromellose coatings) and no gelatin. ^{[2] [6]}
• Avoid softgels and liquid‑filled capsules unless the label or manufacturer confirms a non‑gelatin or non‑animal capsule (e.g., hypromellose/HPMC veggie capsule). Products labeled simply as “gelatin” without a source are uncertain and may be porcine. ^{[1] [3]}
• Some branded or generic “IBU” tablets list excipients such as microcrystalline cellulose, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate, and titanium dioxide, without gelatin, which can be suitable when pork‑free is required. ^{[7] [8] [9]}

How to verify a product is pork‑free

• Read the Drug Facts label’s “Inactive ingredients” section on the exact product in your hand; look specifically for “gelatin,” “capsule,” or “softgel” wording that implies gelatin. If none is listed, the product is more likely to be pork‑free. ^{[2] [6]}
• Prefer tablets over softgels; many ibuprofen tablets list no gelatin, while softgels commonly do. ^{[2] [6]}
• Contact the manufacturer’s customer service to confirm the source of gelatin or to ask if the product is vegetarian/vegan; phone numbers are printed on the label. ^{[2] [6]}
• If you need a capsule but want to avoid animal gelatin, look for products that explicitly state “vegetarian capsules” or “HPMC (hypromellose) capsules” and still confirm the inactive ingredient list. ^{[1] [3]}

Examples from official labels

• Some ibuprofen combination softgel products list “gelatin (unspecified)” among inactive ingredients; without source disclosure, these may include porcine gelatin. ^{[1] [3]}
• Several ibuprofen tablet products list only non‑gelatin excipients such as hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, starches, and magnesium stearate, indicating a likely pork‑free formulation. ^{[2] [6]}
• Other ibuprofen tablet listings similarly show compositions without gelatin, suggesting viable pork‑free choices. ^{[7] [8] [9]}

Practical shopping tips

• Look for “tablet” on the front panel rather than “softgel” or “liquid gel.” Tablets are more often pork‑free. ^{[2] [6]}
• Scan the inactive ingredients; if you see “gelatin,” treat it as animal‑derived unless the brand explicitly guarantees a non‑animal source. ^{[1] [3]}
• Keep a short list of known gelatin‑free tablet products (by brand and strength) once you verify them, since formulations can change; recheck labels periodically. ^{[2] [6]}

What about combination products?

• Ibuprofen combined with decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine) is frequently sold as liquid‑filled capsules and often lists “gelatin,” making them less suitable if avoiding pork unless the manufacturer confirms non‑animal or non‑porcine sources. ^{[1] [3] [10]}

Bottom line

• Ibuprofen, the active drug, is pork‑free, but certain dosage forms especially softgels and liquid‑filled capsules commonly contain gelatin that can be porcine. Choosing plain ibuprofen tablets that do not list gelatin, or selecting products using non‑animal capsule materials, can help you stay pork‑free. ^{[1] [2] [6] [3] [7] [8] [9]}