Medicines/pharmaceuticals

of animal origin
V3.0 November 2020

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - This guideline provides

information for all clinical staff within Hospital and Health Services (HHS) on
best practice for avoidance of issues related to animal products.
Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020

Published by the State of Queensland (Queensland Health), November 2020

This document is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia licence.

To view a copy of this licence, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au

© State of Queensland (Queensland Health) 2020
You are free to copy, communicate and adapt the work, as long as you attribute the State of Queensland
(Queensland Health).

For more information contact:

Medication Services Queensland, Queensland Health, GPO Box 48, Brisbane QLD 4001,
email [email protected]
An electronic version of this document is available at
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/147507/qh-gdl-954.pdf

Disclaimer:
The content presented in this publication is distributed by the Queensland Government as
an information source only. The State of Queensland makes no statements, representations
or warranties about the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any information contained
in this publication. The State of Queensland disclaims all responsibility and all liability
(including without limitation for liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages
and costs you might incur as a result of the information being inaccurate or incomplete in
any way, and for any reason reliance was placed on such information.

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 2

Table of Contents
1 Purpose 4

2 Scope 4

3 Background 4

4 Religious restrictions 5
4.1 Organisations consulted: 7

5 Resources 7

6 Appendices 9
Appendix A - Porcine (Pig) products 9
Appendix B - Bovine (Cow) products 11
Bovine – Manufacture includes exposure to bovine materials “Bovine-Indirect 14

Appendix C Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells 17

Appendix D - Murine (mouse) 21
Appendix E - Equine (Horse) 25
Appendix F - Egg/Chicken 26
Appendix G – Other Animals 29
Appendix H - Excipients that may be of animal origin 31

7 References 32

8 Approval 33

9 Version Control 33

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 3

1 Purpose
This guideline provides information for clinicians to assist patients wishing to avoid animal
product, to make informed decisions about their treatment/care.

2 Scope
People with food allergies or intolerances, or who want to avoid animal products for
religious, cultural or secular reasons may want to know about the origin/source of drugs and
excipients contained within their medicines, to enable them to make a fully informed
decision about their treatment. This wish is supported by the Australian Charter of
Healthcare Rights which states that ‘patients have a right to have their culture, identity,
beliefs and choices recognised and respected’. This document provides information for
clinicians to assist patients in making this choice.
This guideline provides information for all clinicians involved in the medicines management
cycle within Hospital and Health Services (HHS). While the information contained in the
tables of products in the appendices is compiled from the best information available, it
should not be regarded as fully comprehensive. Information on enteral and infant feeds (and
many herbal and complimentary medicines) is not included in this document. Please refer to
a dietitian for advice on enteral/infant feed composition.

3 Background
Person-centred care is the gold standard approach to healthcare delivery and has been
shown to improve the safety and quality of health care, improve patient outcomes and
experience, and improve the performance of health service organisations1. For this reason,
healthcare professionals must take into consideration patients’ patients’ religious beliefs
and lifestyles when prescribing and administering medicines.2
Many different medicines and vaccines, or specific formulations of a medicine such as
tablets, capsules, creams or mixtures contain animal products or are animal derived. For
example, gelatin is a partially hydrolysed collagen which is usually bovine (beef) or porcine
(pig) in origin. Gelatin is used in making capsule shells and is one of many types of
stabilisers added to pharmaceutical products such as vaccines.3 Heparin, an injectable
anticoagulant, is prepared from a porcine source. Further examples of pharmaceutical
products known to be of animal origin are listed in the appendices
Several of the world’s most prominent religions have objected to the use of certain animal-
derived products, including Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Jewish and Buddhist faiths (see table
1). A growing number of individuals are also increasingly restricting their consumption and
use of animal-derived products for ethical reasons such as animal welfare and objections to
the intentional killing of animals, environmental concerns and perceived health benefits,
However, neither religious nor secular groups are homogeneous in their views on the use of

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 4

animal-derived products used in their care. Consequently, there is considerable diversity of
opinion, and membership of a particular group does not necessarily dictate an individual’s
convictions4. However, informing patients about the origins of their proposed medication (if
animal derived and no suitable synthetic alterative exists) will assist them in making
informed decisions regarding their treatment.2 There may be provisions within various
religious groups to provide some form of dispensation, depending on the nature of the need
for treatment.
NB All medicines must undergo testing in non-human animals before they can proceed to testing in
humans in order to gain a product license13.

4 Religious restrictions
Table 1 Religious restrictions

Countries where widely

Religion practiced (relevant to Restrictions
Queensland)
Tibet, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri
Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Laos, For some vegetarian Buddhists - all
Buddhism Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, animal products prohibited
Bangladesh, Korea, Japan, however, no fixed rules.
Singapore, parts of Russia.

For majority who are vegetarian –

India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, all animal products including egg
Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Fiji, prohibited
Hinduism
UK, Mauritius, Bhutan, South Africa, For those who are not vegetarian,
Burma, Singapore restrictions still include bovine*
and porcine products

Porcine products prohibited

Indonesia, India, Pakistan,
All animal products not killed in
Bangladesh, Egypt, Turkey, Iran,
the prescribed ritualistic way
Nigeria, Ethiopia, Afghanistan,
(halal) prohibited
Islam Sudan, Iraq, Malaysia, Tanzania,
Products containing alcohol
Somalia, Cote d’Ivoire, Congo,
prohibited
Philippines, Sierra Leone, Thailand,
Please note gelatin is
Eritrea, Lebanon
contentious**

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 5

 Countries where widely
Religion practiced (relevant to Restrictions
Queensland)

Jehovah’s Abstain from blood products e.g.

witnesses blood transfusions.
[The use of fractions derived from the
A 24 hours a day
primary components of blood is not
service for absolutely prohibited see – religious and
clinicians treating ethical position medical therapy]
Jehovah’s Australia, USA, Mexico, Brazil and
Witnesses is
many other countries (240 in total) Queensland Blood Management
available. The
number can be provide information on consent
found via the and refusal see: consent-refusal
‘Contacts’ Button
on their site Many HHSs have procedures for
refusal of blood products.

All porcine and shellfish products

prohibited
Other rules about animal products
that can be ingested:
• land animals must be
mammals which chew their cud
and have cloven hooves
USA, Israel, France, Canada, UK,
Judaism Russia, Argentina, Ukraine, Brazil • birds of prey are prohibited
and South Africa • fish must have fins and scales
• non-fish seafood is prohibited
e.g. shellfish
• meat and milk (any dairy)
cannot be mixed
Observers only consume kosher
products – complex set of rules

Seventh Day Australia, USA, South America, some Some abstain from meat, but eggs
Adventist African countries are permissible.

For some who are vegetarian – all

animal products including egg
prohibited
For those who are not vegetarian,
India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Singapore, restrictions still include bovine and
Sikh
Fiji, New Zealand, USA and UK porcine products
All animal products from halal
sources prohibited
Products containing alcohol
prohibited.

Adapted from Multicultural Clinical Support Resource Folder- Health and Religion available at
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/158740/8mcrs_hlth_relgn.pdf accessed 03/08/2020

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 6

4.1 Organisations consulted:
• Buddhist Council of Queensland (President)
• Hindu Society of Queensland (President)
• Brisbane Sikh Temple (President)
• Seventh-day Adventist Church South Queensland (President)
• Jehovah’s witnesses Hospital Information Services International Office
• The Islamic Council of Queensland (Secretary)
• Vegan Australia
• Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies Incorporated

5 Resources
A United Kingdom publication titled “Drugs of porcine origin and their clinical alternatives -
An introductory guide” 2 (written in 2004, accessed 26/08/2020) gives further information on
drugs of porcine origin and is available at: http://archive.mcb.org.uk/wp-
content/uploads/2015/12/Drugs-Derived-From-Pigs-and-their-Clinical-
Alternatives_Booklet.pdf
A Canadian question and answer document produced by the Alberta Health Services –
Calgary provides healthcare professionals with an introduction to the religious and cultural
issues associated with drugs of animal origin and the need for informed choice in a
multicultural society.5 This document, titled “Medications derived from animals and
culturally diverse patients” is available at:
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/programs/ps-1026227-health-care-religious-
beliefs.pdf
The Vegan society (England and Wales) has two blogs about medication:
Is my medication vegan? available at: https://www.vegansociety.com/whats-new/blog/my-
medication-vegan and What vegans should know pre-operatively available at:
https://www.vegansociety.com/whats-new/blog/what-vegans-should-know-pre-operatively
The manufacturer’s Product Information (PI) gives details on the composition of the
medicine (i.e. listing the active and inactive constituents/ingredients) and provides some
form of description on how the medicine is produced (e.g. whether manufacture of the
product included exposure to animal derived materials). Also, Consumer Medicine
Information (CMI) leaflets are available for most prescription medicines which enable
patients to check the medicine’s ingredients. However, these leaflets are produced in English
only, so further assistance may be needed.
There appears to be no consistently practical way of identifying whether the gelatin in
products has come from beef or pork. This information is not always stated in
manufacturers’ PI or CMI leaflets but may be important for Jewish, Muslim and Hindu people
who may want to avoid even traces of these particular animal products. If patients are
concerned about whether the drug or excipients within their medicine are of animal origin,

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 7

they could seek the information from their pharmacist or doctor who can check the
medicine's PI or CMI. Alternatively, patients can call the National Prescribing Services (NPS)
Medicines Line (1300 888 763)6 or contact the Medical Information Department of the
pharmaceutical company that makes the medicine7.
For further clarification, the patient could seek guidance from their religious organisation.

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 8

6 Appendices
Appendix A - Porcine (Pig) products
Product name Generic name Therapeutic class Comment

Anticoagulant, derived from porcine

Clexane Enoxaparin
Antithrombotics intestinal mucosa

Digestive
Pancreatic extract
Creon Pancrelipase supplements and
(porcine)
cholelitholytics

Digestive
Creon Micro Enteric Pancreatic extract
Pancrelipase supplements and
coated granules (porcine)
cholelitholytics

natural porcine lung

Curosurf Poractant alfa Respiratory agent
surfactant

Herbal
Ethical Nutrients
gastrointestinal pepsin (porcine)
Digestion plus
preparations

Fragmin Dalteparin Anticoagulant pig mucosa

porcine parvovirus
Normal
(PPV) as a model for
Gamunex immunoglobulin Immunoglobulin
human parvovirus
(Human)
B19

Heparin sodium
Heparin sodium Anticoagulant Porcine mucous
injection

Heparinised saline Heparin sodium Anticoagulant Porcine mucous

Heparinised saline
Heparin sodium Anticoagulant Porcine mucous
injection

Porcine
pseudorabies virus
Imogam Rabies Rabies immune Rabies immune was selected to
Pasteurized globulin (human) globulin (human) model hepatitis B
virus and herpes
virus

Measles, mumps and

M-M-R II Powder for
rubella virus vaccine Vaccine Porcine gelatin
injection
live

Obizur Susoctocog alfa Haemostatic agent Porcine sequence

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 9

 Product name Generic name Therapeutic class Comment

From animal mucosa

Orgaran Danaparoid Haemostatic agent
(Porcine)

Amylase, Lipase,
Digestive Pancreatic extract
Panzytrat 25000 Pancrelipase,
supplement (porcine)
Protease

Human prothrombin
Prothrombinex-VF Haemostatic agent Heparin, porcine
complex

Measles, Mumps,
hydrolysed porcine
ProQuad Rubella and Varicella Vaccine
gelatin
Virus Vaccine Live

Contains porcine
Human rotavirus live
Rotarix Vaccine circovirus type 1
attenuated vaccine
(PCV-1)

Rotavirus vaccine porcine circoviruses

RotaTeq Vaccine
live oral pentavalent (PCV) 1 and 2

Varivax Refrigerated hydrolysed porcine

Live varicella vaccine. Vaccine
Powder for injection gelatin

Zoster virus vaccine hydrolysed porcine

Zostavax Vaccine
live gelatin

Appendices A to G compiled from reference 9

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Appendix B - Bovine (Cow) products
Product name Generic name Therapeutic class Comment

Artiss contains
synthetic aprotinin.
As synthetic
Aprotinin (synthetic), aprotinin is
factor XIII, structurally identical
Surgical antiseptics
Artiss fibrinogen, thrombin to bovine aprotinin,
and applications
and calcium chloride the use of Artiss in
dihydrate patients with
allergies to bovine
proteins should be
carefully evaluated

Benadryl Children's Herbal respiratory lactoferrin - bovine

Cough 2 years + preparation (from cow's milk)

bovine lactoferrin
Iron – vitamin and
BioHeme (derived from cow's
mineral
milk)

Blackmores
Lactoferrin, bovine
Immunodefence Immune supplement
(dairy)
capsules

Blackmores Joint
Formula, Joint
Herbal analgesics
Formula Advanced & Chondroitin sulfate
and anti-
Joint Formula bovine
inflammatories
Advanced with MSM
Booster

Herbal analgesics
Chondroitin sulfate
ChondroCare Excel and anti-
bovine
inflammatories

Herbal analgesics
Chondroitin sulfate
ChondroPlex and anti-
bovine
inflammatories

Duro-Tuss Children's Herbal respiratory

lactoferrin bovine
Cough Liquid preparation

Ethical Nutrients Lactobacillus

Digestive
Inner Health plus acidophilus, Bovine
supplements
capsules colostrum

Ethical nutrients Lactobacillus

Digestive
inner health plus acidophilus, Bovine
supplements
powder colostrum

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 11

 Product name Generic name Therapeutic class Comment

Plasma volume Gelatin derived from

Gelofusine Gelatin succinylated
expander bovine material

Plasma volume Bovine Lactoferrin

Haemaccel Polygeline
expander Cow’s milk protein

Digestive
Immune-5 supplements and
cholelitholytics

Inner Health Plus Digestive

capsules and Inner supplements and Bovine colostrum
Health powder cholelitholytics

Should not be
administered to
individuals who have
Inactivated Japanese previously
Jespect Vaccine
encephalitis vaccine experienced a
serious reaction to
bovine serum
albumin

Herbal and other

Lactoferrin Enhanced
complementary Lactoferrin (bovine)
& Lactoferrin Plus SB
medicines

Methylpred,
40 mg strength
Methylprednisolone Methylprednisolone Adrenal steroid
includes lactose
Alphapharm & Solu- sodium succinate hormones
from cow's milk
Medrol

Measles, mumps and This product may

M-M-R II rubella virus vaccine Vaccine contain residual
live foetal bovine serum

contains trace
Eptacog alfa amounts bovine IgG
NovoSeven RT Haemostatic agents
(activated) protein and other
bovine proteins

Measles, Mumps,
contains residual
Rubella and Varicella
ProQuad components bovine
(Oka/Merck) Virus
serum albumin
Vaccine Live

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 12

 Product name Generic name Therapeutic class Comment

Pertussis vaccine
acellular, diphtheria
and tetanus toxoids
bovine serum
Quadracel (adsorbed),
albumin
inactivated
poliovirus types 1, 2
and 3

contains trace
amounts of mouse,
Recombinate Octocog alfa
hamster and bovine
protein

pulmonary
Survanta Beractant bovine lung extract
surfactant

Use with caution in

patients previously
Thyrogen Thyrotropin alfa Diagnostic Agents
treated with bovine
TSH

Aprotinin - Factor XIII Use with caution in

Tisseel VH S/D - Fibrinogen, Calcium patients with
Haemostatic agent
Solution chloride dihydrate - allergies to bovine
Thrombin proteins

Herbal analgesics
Totally Natural chondroitin sulfate
and anti-
Products Exit Pain (bovine)
inflammatories

Travelan Bovine colostrum Anti-diarrhoeal

VAQTA & VAQTA

Hepatitis A virus bovine albumin
Paediatric/adolescent

Inactive components
Varicella zoster include hydrolysed
Varivax Vaccines
vaccine, live gelatin and traces of
bovine serum.

Hepatitis A vaccine; Bovine serum

Vivaxim Salmonella typhi Vaccines albumin <10 ng
vaccine (Inactive component)

Oral Typhoid Vaccine

gelatin (bovine
Vivotif Oral Salmonella typhi
derived)
strain Ty21a

Live varicella
Zostavax bovine calf serum
vaccine.

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Bovine – Manufacture includes exposure to bovine
materials “Bovine-Indirect
Product name Generic name Therapeutic class Comment

Pertussis vaccine,
Diphtheria toxoid,
Adacel Vaccine
Tetanus toxoid,
Poliomyelitis vaccine

Acellular pertussis,
diphtheria, tetanus
Adacel Polio Vaccines
and poliovirus type 1,
2 and 3

Avaxim Hepatitis A vaccine Vaccine

Diphtheria toxoid,
Boostrix Tetanus toxoid, Vaccine
Pertussis vaccine

Diphtheria toxoid,
Boostrix – IPV
Tetanus toxoid,
suspension for Vaccine
Pertussis vaccine,
injection
Poliomyelitis vaccine

Engerix-B Adult and

Hepatitis B vaccine Vaccine
Paediatric

Havrix 1440 Hepatitis A vaccine Vaccine

Havrix Junior Hepatitis A vaccine Vaccine

Diphtheria, tetanus,
pertussis, hepatitis B,
poliomyelitis and
Hexaxim Vaccine
Haemophilus
influenzae type b
conjugate vaccine

Haemophilus B
Hiberix Vaccine
conjugate vaccine

Diphtheria, tetanus,
Infanrix acellular pertussis Vaccine
(DTPa) vaccine

Diphtheria, tetanus,
acellular pertussis
Infanrix-IPV (DTPa) and Vaccine
inactivated
poliovirus vaccine

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 14

 Product name Generic name Therapeutic class Comment

Poliovirus
Ipol Vaccine
(inactivated)

Merieux inactivated
Rabies vaccine Vaccine
rabies vaccine

Measles, mumps and This product may

M-M-R II rubella virus vaccine Vaccine contain residual
live foetal bovine serum

Meningococcal group
NeisVac-C Vaccine C polysaccharide Vaccines
conjugate vaccine

Pneumococcal
Pneumovax 23 purified capsular Vaccine
polysaccharides

Measles, mumps &

Priorix Vaccines
rubella vaccine

Varicella zoster
vaccine, Rubella
Priorix-tetra vaccine, Mumps Vaccines
vaccine, Measles
vaccine

Measles, Mumps, contains residual

Rubella and Varicella components of
ProQuad Vaccines
(Oka/Merck) Virus bovine serum
Vaccine Live albumin

Pertussis vaccine
acellular, diphtheria
and tetanus toxoids
bovine serum
Quadracel (adsorbed), Vaccines
albumin
inactivated
poliovirus types 1, 2
and 3

contraindicated in
subjects with a
known severe
Rabipur Rabies vaccine Vaccines hypersensitivity to
chicken eggs, chicken
protein, bovine
gelatin

Human Rotavirus
Rotarix Oral Liquid (live attenuated oral Vaccines
vaccine)

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 15

 Product name Generic name Therapeutic class Comment

RotaTeq Rotavirus vaccine Vaccines

prepared from
genetically
engineered
Somatropin (rmc), mammalian cells
Saizen & Saizen 3 recombinant human Pituitary hormones (recombinant mouse
growth hormone cells - C127)
transformed with a
bovine papilloma
virus vector

Stamaril Yellow Fever Vaccine Vaccines

Pertussis vaccine-
acellular, combined
Tripacel Vaccines
with diphtheria and
tetanus toxoids

Combined hepatitis A
Twinrix & Twinrix
and hepatitis B Vaccines
Junior
vaccine

Salmonella typhi Vi
Typhim Vi polysaccharide Vaccines
vaccine

Varilrix HSA-Free Live varicella vaccine Vaccines

Inactive components
Varicella zoster include hydrolysed
Varivax Vaccines
vaccine, live gelatin and traces of
bovine serum.

Influenza virus
Fluarix Vaccine
vaccine

ADT Booster Diphtheria toxoid Vaccine

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 16

Appendix C Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells
Product name Generic name Therapeutic class Comment

contraindicated in patients
with:
Actemra Tocilizumab Immunomodifiers
known hypersensitivity to
any CHO products

Brentuximab
Adcetris Antineoplastic
vedotin

Advate Octocog alfa Haemostatic agent

Rurioctocog alfa derived from octocog alfa

Adynovate Haemostatic agent
pegol (Advate)

fully humanised monoclonal

Antimigraine
Ajovy Fremanezumab antibody produced in CHO
preparations
cells

Enzyme genetically engineered

Aldurazyme Laronidase replacement Chinese hamster ovary cell
therapy line

Aranesp Darbepoietin Haemopoietic agent produced in CHO cells

produced by recombinant
DNA technology in a CHO
Avastin Bevacizumab Antineoplastic
mammalian cell expression
system

produced by mammalian
Avonex Interferon beta-1a Immunomodifier
(CHO) cells

Bavencio Avelumab. Antineoplastic produced in CHO cells

Bemfola Follitropin alfa (rch) Pituitary hormone produced by a CHO cell

contraindicated in patients
BeneFIX Nonacog alfa Haemostatic agent with previous allergy to
hamster protein

Inotuzumab
Besponsa Antineoplastic
ozogamicin (rch)

Blincyto Blinatumomab (rch) Antineoplastic

Antirheumatoid
Brenzys Etanercept.
agents

Endocrine and
Brineura Cerliponase alfa.
metabolic agents

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 17

 Product name Generic name Therapeutic class Comment

Based on Chinese hamster

Mycophenolate
CellCept Immunomodifiers inosine-5'-monophosphate
mofetil.
dehydrogenase

Enzyme
Cerezyme Imiglucerase replacement
therapy

Cosentyx Secukinumab (rch) Immunomodifier

Darzalex Daratumumab Antineoplastic

Dupixent Dupilumab (rch) Immunomodifier

Elonva Corifollitropin alfa Pituitary hormones

Emgality Galcanezumab Antimigraine

Enbrel Etanercept Immunomodifier

Entyvio Vedolizumab Immunomodifier

Eprex Epoietin-alfa Haemopoietic agent

Ophthalmic
Eylea Aflibercept
medication

Enzyme
Fabrazyme Agalsidase beta replacement
therapy

Fasenra Benralizumab Immunomodifier

Gonal-f Follitropin alfa Pituitary hormone

expressed in a mammalian
Granocyte Lenograstim Supportive therapy
host cell system, (CHO) cells

Hemlibra Emicizumab Haemostatic agent

contraindicated in patients
Herceptin Trastuzumab Antineoplastic agent with known hypersensitivity
to CHO cell proteins

Normal
immunoglobulin
The vorhyaluronidase alfa.is
Hyqvia (human) with Immunoglobulin
produced from CHO cells
vorhyaluronidase
alfa

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 18

 Product name Generic name Therapeutic class Comment

Ilumya Tildrakizumab (rch) Immunomodifier

Trastuzumab
Kadcyla Antineoplastic agent
emtansine.

Kanjinti Trastuzumab Antineoplastic agent biosimilar to Herceptin.

Pembrolizumab
Keytruda Antineoplastic agent
(rch)

Trace amounts of mouse and

Kogenate FS Octocog alfa Haemostatic agent
hamster protein present

Lemtrada Alemtuzumab (rch) Immunomodifier

Luveris 75 IU Lutropin alfa Pituitary hormone

Mabcampath Alemtuzumab Antineoplastic agent

Mabthera Rituximab Antineoplastic agent

Metalyse Tenecteplase Fibrinolytic agent

Methoxy
Recombinant DNA
Mircera polyethylene glycol- Haemopoietic agent
technology in CHO cells
epoetin beta

Based on Chinese hamster

MycoCept Mycophenolate Immunomodifiers inosine-5'-monophosphate
dehydrogenase

Endocrine and
Myozyme Alglucosidase alfa.
metabolic agents

Endocrine and
Naglazyme Galsulfase (rch)
metabolic agent

NeoRecormon Epoietin beta Haemopoietic agent

Novicrit Epoetin lambda Haemopoietic agent Purified from a CHO cell

NovoSeven RT Eptacog alfa Haemostatic agent Baby hamster kidney cells

Nucala Mepolizumab Respiratory agent

Obizur Susoctocog alfa Haemostatic agent Baby hamster kidney cells

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 19

 Product name Generic name Therapeutic class Comment

contraindicated in patients
Ogivri Trastuzumab. Antineoplastic agent with hypersensitivity Chinese
hamster ovary cell proteins

biosimilar medicine to
Ontruzant Trastuzumab. Antineoplastic agent
Herceptin

Opdivo Nivolumab Antineoplastic agent

Recombinant DNA
Orencia Abatacept Immunomodifier
technology in CHO cells

Choriogonadotropin
Ovidrel Pituitary hormone
alfa

Follitropin alfa
Pergoveris (rch)/lutropin alfa Pituitary hormone
(rch)

contraindicated in patients
with hypersensitivity to
Perjeta Pertuzumab Antineoplastic agent
Chinese hamster ovary cell
proteins

Hypolipidaemic
Praluent Alirocumab (rch)
agent

Affects calcium and

Prolia Denosumab
bone metabolism

contraindicated in patients
Pulmozyme Dornase alfa Respiratory agent who have hypersensitivity to
Chinese hamster ovary cell

Puregon Follitropin beta Pituitary hormone

Rebif Interferon beta-1a Immunomodifier

Recombinate
Recombinate antihaemophilic Haemostatic agent
factor

Rekovelle Follitropin delta Pituitary hormone

Hypolipidaemic
Repatha Evolocumab
agent

Recombinant
contraindicated in patients
Coagulation Factor
Rixubis Haemostatic agent with known hypersensitivity
IX (rFIX), Nonacog
hamster protein
gamma (rch)

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 20

 Product name Generic name Therapeutic class Comment

Endocrine and
Strensiq Asfotase alfa rch
metabolic agent

Sylvant siltuximab (rmc) Antineoplastic agent

Thyrogen Thyrotrophin alfa Diagnostic agent

Antineoplastic
Trazimera Trastuzumab biosimilar to Herceptin
agents

Antineoplastic Recombinant DNA

Vectibix Panitumumab
agents technology in CHO cells

Endocrine and
Vimizim Elosulfase alfa (rch)
metabolic agent

Xgeva Denosumab Antineoplastic agent

Xolair Omalizumab Respiratory agent

contraindicated in patients
with a known history of
Xyntha Moroctocog alfa Haemostatic agent
hypersensitivity to hamster
proteins

Yervoy Ipilimumab Antineoplastic agent

Antibiotics and anti-

Zinplava Bezlotoxumab
infective

Appendix D - Murine (mouse)

Product name Generic name Therapeutic class Comment

contains trace amounts of

mouse immunoglobulin G
Advate Octocog alfa Haemostatic agent Contraindicated in known
hypersensitivity to mouse
proteins

Rurioctocog alfa derived from octocog alfa

Adynovate Haemostatic agent
pegol (Advate)

produced in a recombinant
Arzerra Ofatumumab Antineoplastic agent
murine cell line

Humanised murine
Avastin Bevacizumab Antineoplastic agent
antibody

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 21

 Product name Generic name Therapeutic class Comment

Anticoagulant, may contain traces of

Ceprotin Protein C
antithrombotic mouse protein

produced in murine (NS0)

Cyramza Ramucirumab Antineoplastic agent
cells

consists of regions of
Empliciti Elotuzumab Antineoplastic agent mouse antibody grafted
onto human IgG1

produced in mammalian
cell culture by mouse
Erbitux Cetuximab Antineoplastic agent
myeloma cells (Sp2/0)

contraindicated in patients
with known
Gazyva Obinutuzumab Antineoplastic agent
hypersensitivity to murine
proteins

Murine anti-p185 HER2

Herceptin Trastuzumab Antineoplastic agent
antibody

biosimilar to Remicade
should not be given to
Inflectra Infliximab Immunomodifier patients with a history of
hypersensitivity to murine
proteins

Kanjinti Trastuzumab Antineoplastic agent Biosimilar to Herceptin

Trace amounts of mouse

Kogenate Octocog alfa Haemostatic agent
protein are present

contains a murine single

Kymriah Tisagenlecleucel Antineoplastic agent
chain antibody fragment

humanised monoclonal
antibody with regions from
Lemtrada Alemtuzumab Immunomodifier
a murine monoclonal
antibody

Immunoglobulin G1, with

Ophthalmic
Lucentis Ranibizumab human-mouse monoclonal
medication
rhuFab V2 κ-chain

contraindicated in patients
with a known
MabCampath Alemtuzumab Immunomodifier
hypersensitivity to murine
proteins

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 22

 Product name Generic name Therapeutic class Comment

Genetically engineered
Mabthera Rituximab Antineoplastic agent chimeric murine/human
monoclonal antibody

contains trace amounts of

NovoSeven RT Eptacog alfa Haemostatic agent
mouse IgG protein

Ogivri Trastuzumab Antineoplastic agent Biosimilar to Herceptin

Ontruzant Trastuzumab Antineoplastic agent Biosimilar to Herceptin

humanised monoclonal
Detoxifying agent, antibody derived from
Praxbind Idarucizumab
antidote murine IgG1 isotype
antibody molecule

contains trace amounts of

Recombinate Octocog alfa Haemostatic agent
mouse protein

Monoclonal antibody
composed of human
Remicade Infliximab Immunomodifier
constant and murine
variable regions

biosimilar medicine to
Renflexis Infliximab Immunomodifier
Remicade

biosimilar medicine to
Riximyo Rituximab Antineoplastic agent
Mabthera

prepared from genetically

engineered mammalian
Saizen Somatropin Pituitary hormone
cells (recombinant mouse
cells

Simponi
Murine hybridoma cell line
prefilled
Golimumab Antirheumatoid agent with recombinant DNA
syringe
technology
solution

Murine/human chimeric
Simulect Basiliximab Immunomodifier
monoclonal antibody

Human/murine hybrid
monoclonal antibody
Soliris Eculizumab Immunomodifier
produced by murine
myeloma cell culture

chimeric human murine

Sylvant siltuximab Antineoplastic agent
monoclonal antibody

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 23

 Product name Generic name Therapeutic class Comment

5% murine amino acid

Synagis Palivizumab Immunomodifier
sequences

Trazimera Trastuzumab Antineoplastic agent Biosimilar to Herceptin

Human/murine hybrid
monoclonal antibody
Tysabri Natalizumab Immunomodifier
produced in murine
myeloma cells

recombinant monoclonal
antibody that contains
Xolair Omalizumab Respiratory agent
regions of a humanised
murine antibody

patient's own T cells are

harvested and genetically
modified ex vivo by
axicabtagene retroviral transduction to
Yescarta Antineoplastic agent
ciloleucel express a chimeric antigen
receptor (CAR) comprising
a murine anti-CD19 single
chain variable fragment

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 24

Appendix E - Equine (Horse)
Therapeutic
Product name Generic name Comment
class
Equine Antithymocyte
ATGAM Immunomodifier
globulin

Black snake
Black snake antivenom Antivenom
antivenom

Brown snake
Brown snake antivenom Antivenom
antivenom

Death adder
Death adder antivenom Antivenom
antivenom

Conjugated
Duavive Gonadal hormone
estrogens/bazedoxifene.

Brown snake antivenom,

Death adder antivenom,
Polyvalent
King brown snake
snake Antivenom
antivenom, Taipan
antivenom
antivenom, Tiger snake
antivenom

Premarin
Oestrogens, Conjugated Gonadal hormone
tablets

Red back spider Red back spider

Antivenom
antivenom antivenom

Sea snake
Sea snake antivenom Antivenom
antivenom

Stonefish
Stonefish antivenom Antivenom
antivenom

Human fibrinogen and Surgical

TachoSil equine collagen
human thrombin Preparation

Taipan
Taipan antivenom Antivenom
antivenom

Tiger snake
Tiger snake antivenom Antivenom
antivenom

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 25

Appendix F - Egg/Chicken
Product name Generic name Therapeutic use Comment

manufactured in eggs.
trace amounts of
quadrivalent
Afluria Quad Vaccine ovalbumin (< 1
influenza vaccine
microgram/0.5 mL dose),
may be present

Influenza virus vaccine may contain egg,

Agrippal Vaccine
vaccine chicken

Contraindicated in
patients with known
Antihypertensive
Cleviprex Clevidipine allergies to eggs or egg
agent
products as contains egg
lecithin

Contraindicated in
Parenteral vitamins,
patients with known
ClinOleic 20% Olive oil and soya oil minerals and
hypersensitivity to egg as
nutrition
contains egg lecithin

Diprivan Propofol Anaesthetics Contains egg lecithin

prepared using whole

Influenza virus
Fluarix Vaccine virus cultivated in
vaccine
embryonated hen eggs

grown in hens' eggs

Influenza virus May also contain chicken
Fluad Vaccine
vaccine proteins (such as
ovalbumin0

quadrivalent
Fluad Quad Vaccine grown in hens' eggs
influenza vaccine

Quadrivalent propagated in chicken

FluQuadri Vaccine
Influenza Vaccine eggs

Fluzone High- trivalent influenza propagated in chicken

Vaccine
Dose vaccine eggs

Fresofol 1%
Injection &
Propofol Anaesthetics Contains egg lecithin
Fresofol 1%
MCT/LCT

prepared from virus

Influenza virus grown in the allantoic
Influvac Vaccine
vaccine cavity of embryonated
eggs

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 26

 Product name Generic name Therapeutic use Comment

Parenteral vitamins,
Intralipid Soya oil minerals and Contains egg lecithin
nutrition

Parenteral vitamins,
Kabiven G11% &
minerals and Contains egg lecithin
Kabiven G19%
nutrition

Contraindicated in
endocrine and patients with
Kanuma Sebelipase alfa
metabolic agent hypersensitivity to egg as
produced in egg white

Measles, mumps and produced in chick embryo

M-M-R II Vaccine
rubella virus vaccine l cell culture

Parenteral vitamins,
Olimel,
minerals and contains egg lecithin
PeriOlimel
nutrition

produced in chick embryo

Measles, mumps and
Priorix Vaccine cell culture, may contain
rubella virus vaccine
traces of egg protein

Measles, mumps, produced in chick embryo

Priorix-Tetra &
rubella and varicella Vaccine cell culture, may contain
ProQuad
vaccine traces of egg protein

Propofol Sandoz
Propofol-Lipuro
1%/2%
Propofol Anaesthetics Contains egg lecithin
Provive 1% and
Provive MCT-LCT
1%

grown in the yolk sacs of

Q-Vax & Q-Vax Coxiella burnetii embryonated eggs. Trace
Vaccine
Skin Test vaccine amounts of ovalbumin
may also be present

Made from purified chick

Rabipur Rabies vaccine Vaccine
embryo cell

Rixadone Risperidone Antipsychotic agent Contains Egg products

propagated in chick
Stamaril Yellow Fever Vaccine Vaccine
embryos

SmofKabiven Parenteral vitamins, Contains egg

Electrolyte Free minerals and phospholipids and Fish
& SmofKabiven nutrition oil

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 27

 Product name Generic name Therapeutic use Comment

Parenteral vitamins,
Contains egg lecithin and
SMOFlipid minerals and
fish oil
nutrition

prepared from virus

Influenza virus grown in the allantoic
Vaxigrip Vaccine
vaccine cavity of embryonated
eggs

Contains egg
ophthalmic
Visudyne Verteporfin phosphatidylglycerol
medication
sodium

Parenteral vitamins,
Vitalipid N minerals and Contains egg lecithin
nutrition

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 28

Appendix G – Other Animals
Product name Generic name Therapeutic uses Comment

house dust mite Antiallergy

Acarizax Contains gelatin (fish)
extract preparation

Box Jellyfish Box Jellyfish from the plasma of

antivenom
Antivenom Antivenom sheep

Complementary From bovine or shark

Chondroitin Chondroitin
osteoarthritis cartilage

Digoxin binding
antibody
DigiFab Antidote From sheep
Digoxin-specific
antibody fragment

contains the oil

Inactivated squalene which is
Fluad Vaccine
influenza vaccine obtained from shark
liver

Funnel Web Spider Funnel web spider prepared from the

antivenom
Antivenom antivenom (rabbit) plasma of rabbits

Complementary
Glucosamine Glucosamine From shellfish
osteoarthritis

Antiallergy
Grazax Phleum pratense. contains gelatine (fish)
preparation

Human Insulin
(rys)
Contain protamine
Protaphane Insulin Insulin preparation
sulfate (a fish product)
Mixtard 30/70.
Mixtard 50/50

Mammalian cells (Not

Humira Adalimumab Immunomodifier
specified)

Mono-plus
mononucleosis Diagnostic Guinea pig, horse
test

Baby hamster kidney

Novoseven Eptacog alfa Haemostatic agent
(BHK) cells

Eicosapentaenoic
acid (EPA) ethyl obtained by the
ester, transesterification of
Omacor cardiovascular agent
docosahexaenoic the body oil of fat fish
acid (DHA) ethyl species
ester.

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 29

 Product name Generic name Therapeutic uses Comment

Protamine Sulfate Caution in patients

Haemostatic agent
Injection allergic to fish

Parenteral vitamins,
Contains egg lecithin
SMOFlipid minerals and
and fish oil
nutrition

Antithymocyte
Thymoglobuline Immunomodifier Rabbit
globulin (rabbit)

Compiled from reference 9

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 30

Appendix H - Excipients that may be of animal
origin
Product Source

Gathered by bees and collected from legs of

Bee pollen
bees

From the exoskeletons of arthropods and

Chitin
crustacean

Chymotrypsin Cochineal/Carmine/Carminic
Ox pancreas
acid

Cochineal/carmine/carmininc acid Red pigment from crushed cochineal insects

Disodium inosinate From meat extract

From pig skin, bovine hide and pork and cattle

Gelatin
bones. Used for many capsules

Glycerol May be derived from animal fats

From cows’ milk (by-product of dairy

Lactose industry). Usually made synthetically
(Common filler in tablets)

Lanolin Fat extracted from sheep’s wool

Oleic oil and oleostearin From pressed tallow

Propolis Bee glue

Shellac Insect secretion

Fat from cows, sheep, dogs or cats.

Stearic acid
Can be obtained from vegetable sources

Trypsin Enzyme from pork pancreas

Compiled from references 11, 12

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 31

7 References
1. Reproduced with permission from Partnering with patients in their own care, developed by
the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC). ACSQHC: Sydney

2. United Kingdom. National Prescribing Centre. Task Force on Medicines Partnership. Drugs
of porcine origin and their clinical alternatives. An introductory guide. March 2004 [11
December 2007] Available from: http://archive.mcb.org.uk/wp-
content/uploads/2015/12/Drugs-Derived-From-Pigs-and-their-Clinical-
Alternatives_Booklet.pdf

3. Eldred BE, Dean AJ, McGuire TM, Nash AL. Vaccine components and constituents:
responding to consumer concerns. MJA 2006;184 (4):170-175.
4. Rodger, D., Blackshaw, B.P. Using animal-derived constituents in anaesthesia and surgery:
the case for disclosing to patients. BMC Med Ethics 20, 14 (2019. Available at
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-019-0351-4
5. Alberta Health Services – Calgary. Medications derived from animals and culturally diverse
patients. 2nd edition. Available at
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/programs/ps-1026227-health-care-religious-
beliefs.pdf
6. National Prescribing Services (NPS). Pharmaceutical excipients – where do we begin? 1
August 2011 DOI: 10.18773/austprescr.2011.060
7. What are excipients doing in medicinal products? Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin
2009;47:81-84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/dtb.2009.06.0026
8. United States. Immunization Action Coalition. World Health Organisation Regional Office
for the Eastern Mediterranean - The use of unlawful or juridically unclean substances in food
and medicine (correspondence dated 17 July 2001). [27 June 2007] Available from:
www.immunize.org/concerns/porcine.pdf
9. MIMS Online. Retrieved from http://www.mims.com.au
10. Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Department of Health and Ageing. Australian Government available from
http://www.tga.gov.au/industry/artg.htm
11. Sriaandhal Sabalingam1, W. J. A. Banukie N. Jayasuriya. Pharmaceutical Excipients of
Marine and Animal origin: A Review Biological and Chemical Research (ISSN 2312-0088), Vol.6,
184-196
12. Alamgir A.N.M. (2018) Bioactive Compounds and Pharmaceutical Excipients Derived from
Animals, Marine Organisms, Microorganisms, Minerals, Synthesized Compounds, and
Pharmaceutical Drugs. In: Therapeutic Use of Medicinal Plants and their Extracts: Volume 2.
Progress in Drug Research, vol 74. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92387-1_4
13 The Vegan society (England and Wales) Is my medication vegan? available at:
https://www.vegansociety.com/whats-new/blog/my-medication-vegan

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 32

8 Approval
Approving Officer:
Justin Lee
Director
Medication Services Queensland
2020

9 Version Control
Version Amendments Author/s Approved

Supersedes original version published in

2.0 A Jagels November 2013
2007

Fixed broken link to booklet on porcine

2.1 A Jagels April 2019
medicines. Updated organisational details

J Quin
3.0 Review November 2020
A Jagels

Medicines/pharmaceuticals of animal origin - V3.0 November 2020 Page 33