Vitamin D: Islamic Ruling on 50,000 IU Capsules

Question: I am very deficient in vitamin D3. I was prescribed a 6-week course of one gel capsule of Vitamin D 50,000 IU weekly.  My concern is that typically gel capsules are made from gelatin. I want to know if this specific medicine would be okay for me to take and whether it is common to have pork-sourced gelatin. Answer: Bismihi taʻālā Patients with Vitamin D deficiency are often prescribed capsules that contain 50,000 international units (IU). These prescription capsules contain gelatin, which is impermissible to consume, because it is sourced from pork or non-Islamically slaughtered animals.[i]  According to the … Continue reading Vitamin D: Islamic Ruling on 50,000 IU Capsules

Islamically Permissible Influenza Vaccines Available in the US for 2022-2023 Season

Prepared by Mawlana Dr. Mateen A. Khan, MD and Dr. Ramzan Judge, PharmD Summary Permissible influenza vaccines in the US for the 2022-2023 season Impermissible influenza vaccines in the US for the 2022-2023 season Discussion Background on Influenza Influenza (commonly … Continue reading Islamically Permissible Influenza Vaccines Available in the US for 2022-2023 Season

Insulin Pumps and CGM Devices: Islamic Permissibility of Use During Ghusl

Question: My query is regarding the use of insulin pumps (e.g., Omnipod) and continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGM) (e.g., Freestyle Libre, Dexcom G6) for use in Type 1 Diabetic patients. These items are only meant for one-time use and are also very expensive to purchase. A needle is inserted through the skin and covered with an adhesive. Removal of the sensor will result in having to discard the sensor or pump item. Can it be considered valid to perform ghusl by passing water over them instead of removing the sensor/pump or catheter insertion requiring it to be permanently discarded? Answer: … Continue reading Insulin Pumps and CGM Devices: Islamic Permissibility of Use During Ghusl

Islamically Permissible Influenza Vaccines Available in the US for 2021-2022 Season

Prepared by Mawlana Dr. Mateen A. Khan, MD and Dr. Ramzan Judge, PharmD Summary Permissible influenza vaccines in the US for 2021-2022 season FluadTM Quadrivalent Fluzone High-DoseTM Quadrivalent AfluriaTM FluarixTM FluLavalTM FluzoneTM Quadrivalent Impermissible influenza vaccines in the US for 2021-2022 season FlublokTM FluMistTM FlucelvaxTM Discussion Background on Influenza Influenza (commonly known as the flu) is a seasonal viral illness carrying significant health, economic, and social burden. For the past nine years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that every year 9.3-49 million symptomatic illnesses, 4.3-23 million medical visits, 140,000-960,000 hospitalizations, and 12,000-79,000 deaths are attributed to … Continue reading Islamically Permissible Influenza Vaccines Available in the US for 2021-2022 Season

Islamically Permissible COVID-19 Vaccines: Viral Vector Page

Prepared by Mawlana Mateen A. Khan MD, Dr. Ramzan Judge PharmD, Dr. Samad Tirmizi PharmD, and Mufti Adil Farooki MD. Summary: Oxford-AstraZeneca and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccines are ḥalāl and permissible for use although other vaccines without ethical issues (e.g., mRNA vaccines) are preferable when available. Summary page for all assessed COVID-19 vaccines Oxford-AstraZeneca Discussion: The University of Oxford partnered with AstraZeneca to develop a viral vector vaccine, called ChAdOx1 nCov-19 or AZD1222. It consists of a chimpanzee adenovirus vector (ChAdOx1) which has been rendered incapable of replication. The adenovirus contains DNA which encodes for the full-length SARS-CoV-2 … Continue reading Islamically Permissible COVID-19 Vaccines: Viral Vector Page

Islamically Permissible COVID-19 Vaccines: mRNA Page

Prepared by Mawlana Mateen A. Khan MD, Dr. Ramzan Judge PharmD, Dr. Samad Tirmizi PharmD, and Mufti Adil Farooki MD. Summary: Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are ḥalāl and permissible to take. Summary page for all assessed COVID-19 vaccines Discussion: The first class of vaccine to come to market in the United States are mRNA vaccines developed by BioNTech/ Pfizer and Moderna. mRNA vaccines are novel vaccines encapsulating genetic material in lipid nanoparticles. It is thought these particles fuse with the cell membrane of a eukaryote to deliver the mRNA into its cytoplasm. Here, it is translated into the active … Continue reading Islamically Permissible COVID-19 Vaccines: mRNA Page