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I am looking for kosher acetaminophen (tylenol) for kids, and am coming up short. Other than Adwe I cant find kosher liquid. Anyone have any suggestions?
Is using the original Tylenol less than ideal from a kosher perspective?
Is Adwe unacceptable?
“Triaminic fever reducer syrup” is simply acetaminophen.
OU certified
First of all, for refuah, you could take chazir shmaltz l’chatchila!
Secondly, Tylenol is allegedly not treif. Refer to the star k list.
Dont be frummer than god!
First of all, for refuah, you could take chazir shmaltz l’chatchila!
This is patently false. If it was a case of sakana and there was no other option, you’d be right (but I wouldn’t call that l’chatchilah).
Short of that, absolutely not.
Also, the cRc says liquid Tylenol is NOT recommended. Ask your posek, as there certainly may be leniencies in certain cases, especially for young children, and others may disagree with the cRc (I haven’t checked the Star-K).
If the mods would please allow this link:
Star K has a list of medications approved for use. Liqiuid Tylenol is NOT on it. I don’t know where you get your “information” from.
What about Drammamine? And are all medications equal halacha-wise or does it depend on whether it’s actually used for healing (like anti-biotics) or for treating symptoms and pain?
I don’t think that’s such a big difference. Of course, the bigger the need, the more a posek would be willing to rely on an opinion he wouldn’t ordinarily rely on.
The biggest factor here is that the liquid medications are flavored, and their consumption is considered eating, as opposed to pills, which, although not without issues, are more lenient.
The problematic ingredients in liquid medications can be the flavoring, but often the problem is glycerine, which can have either a vegetable source or an animal source. The producers use either, depending on price, which changes.
Thanks DY. I looked up Dramamine in the Star K OTC list now (I rememebered there were issues, not exactly what they were) and some of the forms are listed as dairy. Must one wait 1/2 hour before eating meat then or is it a non factor as long it’s not put in Fleishig dishes etc?
I have a frum pediatrition who asked a Posek about medicines and children.
With children it can be difficult to get them to take the medicine especially if it doesnt taste good. The Posek said it was ok for children to take treif medicine if that was the only way they would take it
DY- Among the variables I can think of combining to make children’s tylenol less chamur than I think you’re implying:
1. It’s [presumably] for a koton
2. There may be no tarfus
3. The tarfus may be botul
4. The tarfus may have been not rouy leachilas kelev at some point
5. Taking a bitter flavored syrup may not be derech achila (tylenol is nasty)
6. D’rabonnons may not apply b’makom refua, particularly in combination with “1.”
These may be boich svaros but I don’t think they are as irresponsible as categorically implying that tylenol should be kosher certified unless there’s great need.
1. Yes, as I mentioned, but that’s not a carte blanche heter.
2. It’s still a safek, because it’s very common.
3. It’s unusual for it to be batel; they put it there for the taste.
4. The common treif ingredient/s are not that way.
5. I don’t know how liquid Tylenol tastes, but it’s loaded with sweetener, glycerin, and flavors for a reason.
6. We’re dealing with a potential d’oraisa.
I’m not trying to tell anyone when they can and can’t use it, I’m just saying it’s not so simple. What I’m saying is no chidush either; check out what some of the major hechsherim say about it.
I just received an email with the following information:
Updated Kashrus Alert [3/9/15]
[Courtesy of Rabbi Gershon Bess]
The following liquid medications do not contain any animal ingredients. The glycerin is vegetable based:
[Artificial flavor]
[All flavors including Dye-Free] [Artificial flavor]Tylenol Infant drops – Cherry or Grape [Artificial flavor] NOT Dye-Free
[Artificial flavor] NOT Dye-Free
The following liquid medications do contain animal ingredients. The glycerin is animal based:
Tylenol Infant Drops – Cherry Dye Free
Store brands of Suspensions should not be used since glycerin is commonly derived from animal sources.
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