Kashrus Updates          

By Rabbi Sholem Fishbane

Kashrus Administrator of the Chicago Rabbinical Council

http://www.crcweb.org   www.twitter.com/crckosher

cRc’s  Recommended Over The Counter Medicines

The following are general guidelines for the consumption of over the counter medications.  [For more details and sources, see our article at http://bit.ly/KosherOTC, starting on the second page]. 

1. Pill medications that one swallows are permitted even if they contain non-kosher ingredients.  Two exceptions to that rule are:
   • Vitamins – In most cases vitamins do not qualify as medicine, and instead are treated as food supplements which require hashgachah.  If a doctor prescribes a specific vitamin which is not kosher certified, please review your specific situation with your doctor and Rabbi.
   • Gelcaps – Gelcaps (hard or soft) should only be taken by someone who is ill and does not have any alternative medicine that is free of kashrus concerns.
2. Liquid and chewable medication that contains kosher-sensitive ingredients should only be used under the direction of a doctor and Rabbi, who will judge the severity of the illness, the likelihood that the medicine is non-kosher, and the possibility of substituting an alternative which is free of kashrus concerns.
3. HaRav Schwartz, the Av Beis Din of the Chicago Rabbinical Council, is of the opinion is that mouthwash and toothpaste do not require kosher certification but it is preferred to use a kosher variety.   The mouthwashes listed below are known to be kosher at this time, and the toothpastes listed are free of glycerin.
4. Please consult your Rabbi for the laws of taking medicine on Shabbos and Yom Tov.
5. Do not discontinue the use of any medicine without consulting with your doctor and Rabbi.
6. This list is for year round use and does not include information for Pesach.
7. This information on this list is updated regularly.  This edition should not be used after December 31, 2011.

Note: The following list of recommended OTC medicines is condensed from a more complete listing of recommended and not-recommended OTC medicines which is updated daily and can be found on the cRc website at http://www.crcweb.org/OTCMedicineReport.pdf

Allergy

Alavert, Orally Disintegrating Tablet (assorted flavors)

Benadryl, Children’s allergy fast melt – Cherry & Grape

Claritin, Childrens Chewable

Zyrtec, Children’s allergy bubblegum sugar & dye free

Cold, Flu & Cough

Delsym, Liquid Cough Suppressant

Mucinex, Childrens Mini Melts

Nyquil, Nyquil/Dayquil Plus Vitamin C Caplets

Thera-Flu, Flu and Sore Throat Powder

Thera-Flu, Max-D Severe Cold & Flu Powder

Thera-Flu, Nighttime/Daytime Severe Cold and Cough Powder

Thera-Flu, Sinus and Cold Powder

Vicks 44, Custom Care Dry Cough Liquid and Chesty Cough Liquid

Zycam, Nasal Spray

Zycam, Rapid Melt Tablets

Zycam, Rapid Melt Tablets with Vitamin C

Cough Drops

Lofthouses, Fisherman’s Friend Cough Suppressant Lozenges

Ricola Regular – Honey Herb, Honey Lemon with Echinacea, Lemon Mint, Lemon Verbena, Natural Herb (original)

Ricola Sugar Free – Green Tea with Echinacea, Lemon Mint, Menthol, Mountain Herb

Digestive Health

Align, Capsules

Citrucel, Caplets

Dulcolax, Suppository

Epsom Salt, Generic or Branded versions

Ex-lax, Caplets

Fibercon, Caplets

Generic, Mineral Oil (pure)

Imodium AD, Caplets

Imodium AD, EZ Chews Cool Mint Tablets

Imodium AD, Multisymptom Relief Caplets

Kaopectate, Extra Peppermint (Liquid)

Kaopectate, Vanilla Regular Flavor (Liquid)

Konsyl, Psyllium Hydrophilic Mucilloid (Powder)

Metamucil, Clear and Natural (Powder)

Metamucil, Original Coarse Powder

Miralax, Powder

Pedia-Lax, Suppository

Phillips Milk of Magnesia, Caplets

Phillips Milk of Magnesia, Original Liquid (unflavored)

Polyethylene Glycol, Generic or Branded versions (powder)

Miscellaneous

Alka Seltzer, Original Effervescent Tabs

Nicoderm CQ, Patch

Simply Thick, Powder

Tylenol, Extra Strength Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer Adult (cherry flavor-liquid)

Mouth Pain Relief

Abreva, Gel

Kanka, Mouth-pain Liquid

Orajel, Maximum Strength Mouth Sores (Gel)

Orajel, Maximum Strength Toothache (Gel)

Orajel, Severe Toothache (Gel)

Mouthwash

Listerine, CoolMint

Listerine, FreshBurst

Listerine, Original 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Toothpaste

AIM, Multi Benefit Ultra Mint Gel

Arm & Hammer, Advanced White Baking Soda and Peroxide

Arm & Hammer, Complete Care Extra Whitening

Arm & Hammer, Peroxi Care Baking Soda and Peroxide

Colgate, Max fresh with Mini Bright Strips Whitening Clean Mint

Colgate, Max Fresh with Mini Bright Strips Whitening Cool Mint

Colgate, Max White with Mini Bright Strips Crystal Mint

Colgate, Mild Bubble Fruit Flavor

Colgate, Triple Action Original Mint

Crest, 3D Vivid

Crest, Cavity Protection Regular Paste

Crest, Extra Whitening with Tartar

Crest, Kids Crest Cavity Protection Sparkle Fun

Crest, Pro Health For Me for Kids 8+

Crest, Tartar Protection Regular Paste

Crest, Whitening Expressions Cinnamon Rush