Vegan-Friendly Antidepressants
Finding an antidepressant to take as a vegan can feel like a difficult task, as finding medications that are undoubtedly free from animal-derived ingredients is not as easy as it seems.
But by using free and readily available resources from the FDA and consulting medical specialists it is possible to find an antidepressant that will suit your needs.
Learn what to be aware of when looking for a vegan-friendly medication, who to consult, and find out what the alternatives may be for vegans suffering from depression or anxiety disorders. Additionally, we have provided examples of 5 likely vegan-friendly antidepressants.
If you're currently taking an antidepressant that works for you, and it's not vegan, we strongly suggest to not change medication. Finding an effective alternative can be very time-consuming and detrimental to your health.
Table of Contents
- What To Keep In Mind
- 5 Vegan-Friendly Antidepressants
- Non-vegan antidepressants
- Medications and Animal Testing
- Vegan-Friendly Methods To Improve Depression
What To Keep In Mind
Medications with the same active ingredients do not necessarily contain the same inactive ingredients, which is where you commonly find components derived from animal products.
The following recommendations and examples of vegan-friendly antidepressants are primarily aimed at individuals living in the US. Still, the general principle applies to most vegans looking for medications that are compatible with their lifestyles.
1. Read The Medication Guide
Always read the corresponding Medication Guide for the medication you purchased from the pharmacy. There you can learn about all the active and non-active ingredients.
Those adhering to a vegan diet mainly want to look out for the ingredients known as lactose and gelatin.
Lactose monohydrate is commonly used as a filler in medications and is derived from milk. Several antidepressants contain lactose.
Gelatin is commonly used for capsules, tablets, and modified-release preparations derived from collagen taken from animal body parts. For example, both Cymbalta and Prozac contain gelatin.
Other possible ingredients in psychiatric medications that are derived from animals include shellac, carmine, and stearic acid.
Stearic acid is commonly available in the form of magnesium stearate, but it is often derived from natural plant sources. It acts as a lubricant and release agent for the medications.
You can use the search tool for medication guides on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) webpage. Make sure to put in the exact name of the prescribed medication and ensure that it is from the correct manufacturer.
2. Ask Your Pharmacist
Consult a pharmacist at your local pharmacy in case you do not feel comfortable researching the ingredients yourself.
When purchasing the drug that your physician has prescribed you, simply ask the pharmacist if they medication contains any ingredients containing animal products.
Pharmacists are medical professionals who specialize in medications, their ingredients, and how they work. As such, they should be able to help you get a definite answer to your question.
They may also be able to offer medication options with the same active ingredient (i.e. Fluoxetine) from brands that do not contain any animal-derived inactive ingredients (i.e. Lactose monohydrate).
This is because different medications with the same active ingredient can contain different inactive ingredients.
3. Discuss Options With Your Doctor
Discuss with your doctor if there are no vegan-friendly alternatives that contain the antidepressant that has been prescribed to you, or if you are unsure whether the medication may suit you or not.
Be open with your physician about your veganism. Be aware that not all medical doctors are aware of what inactive ingredients certain medications may contain.
Your physician may prescribe you another medication for your antidepressant or anxiety that is vegan-friendly. In some cases, a vegan-friendly and effective treatment may not be available.
Individuals not suffering from allergies or intolerances to animal products must carefully weigh the benefits versus risks of not taking their non-vegan medication. Thoroughly consult with your physician about this matter.
Vegan Antidepressants
Antidepressants are frequently used in depression, anxiety disorders, and off-label uses, such as insomnia, ADHD, PMDD, and more.
Below you will find a few brands of different antidepressants that are unlikely to contain animal-derived ingredients according to the list of ingredients listed in the Medication Guides on the FDA website.
1. ZOLOFT (oral tablets)
Active ingredient: Sertraline Hydrochloride
Non-active ingredients: dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate, D&C Yellow #10 aluminum lake (in 25 mg tablet), FD&C Blue #1 aluminum lake (in 25 mg tablet), FD&C Red #40 aluminum lake (in 25 mg tablet), FD&C Blue #2 aluminum lake (in 50 mg tablet), hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, sodium starch glycolate, synthetic yellow iron oxide (in 100 mg tablet), and titanium dioxide.
Note: Zoloft oral tablets seemingly contain no animal-derived products according to its packaging. It contains magnesium stearate of unspecified origin, which can be plant- or animal-derived. Contact the manufacturer for precise information.
2. LEXAPRO (oral tablets)
Active ingredient: Escitalopram Oxalate
Non-active ingredients: talc, croscarmellose sodium, microcrystalline cellulose/colloidal silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate. The film coating contains hypromellose, titanium dioxide, and polyethylene glycol
Note: Lexapro oral tablets seemingly contain no certainly animal-derived products according to their packaging. It contains magnesium stearate of unspecified origin, which can be plant- or animal-derived. Contact the manufacturer for precise information.
3. WELLBUTRIN XL (oral tablets, extended-release)
Active ingredient: Bupropion Hydrochloride
Non-active ingredients: ethylcellulose, glyceryl behenate, methacrylic acid copolymer dispersion, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, povidone, silicon dioxide, and triethyl citrate. The tablets are printed with edible black ink.
Note: Wellbutrin XL oral tablets seemingly contain no animal-derived products according to their packaging. The origin of edible ink is not specified and can not be confirmed vegan. In general, most food-grade inks are vegan. Contact the manufacturer for precise information.
4. TRINTELLIX (oral tablets)
Active ingredient: Vortioxetine Hydrobromide
Non-active ingredients: mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate, and film coating consisting of hypromellose, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol 400, iron oxide red (5 mg and 20 mg) and iron oxide yellow (10 mg)
Note: Trintellix oral tablets seemingly contain no animal-derived products according to its packaging. It contains magnesium stearate of unspecified origin, which can be plant- or animal-derived. Contact the manufacturer for precise information.
5. PRISTIQ (oral tablets, extended-release)
Active ingredient: Desvenlafaxine Succinate
Non-active ingredients: hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, talc, magnesium stearate, and film coating, which consists of polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, talc, titanium dioxide, and iron oxides and FD&C yellow #6 (only 100mg tablets)
Note: Pristiq oral tablets seemingly contain no animal-derived products according to their packaging. It contains magnesium stearate of unspecified origin, which can be plant- or animal-derived. Contact the manufacturer for precise information.
Antidepressants To Avoid
Some common antidepressants that do contain animal-derived products include Prozac capsules (gelatin), Cymbalta capsules (gelatin), Desyrel tablets (lactose), Remeron tablets (lactose) and Effexor tablets (lactose).
Finding a vegan-friendly antidepressant is only the beginning of the journey. Sometimes, the first choice of antidepressant may not work effectively or you may experience intolerable side effects. Be patient, as it might be necessary to try several medications before finding the one that effectively alleviates your symptoms.
Medications and Animal Testing
For vegans, this moral conflict can be considered practically unavoidable when it comes to taking FDA-approved medications. However difficult it may be, it's strongly suggested that you follow your doctor's advice when it concerns your physical and mental health.
Vegan-Friendly Methods To Improve Depression
Those who are absolutely unable to deviate from their principles due to animal testing may consult their doctor about other options for treating their depression.Cognitive behavioral therapy is one scientifically proven method that can improve and treat depression. Furthermore, regular physical exercise can be as effective as traditional antidepressants in treating some forms of depression.
It should be noted that severe depression may hinder the possibility of attending therapy or regularly working out, which is why conventional antidepressants can be necessary for succesful treatment.
Last update: August 24, 2024
Disclaimer: The information provided is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider, such as a physician, before starting any new treatment or making changes to your existing treatment plan. Individual responses to treatment may vary, and a healthcare professional can provide personalized guidance based on your specific needs and circumstances. If you are experiencing severe or persistent symptoms of disease or mental illness, seek immediate medical attention.