Chicago Rabbinical Council 2701 W Howard Street Chicago, IL 60645-1303 PH: 773.465.3900 Fax: 773.465.6632 Rabbi Sholem Fishbane Kashruth Administrator 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. For FAQs or to ask a question see http://bit.ly/kosherfaq]. 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. Please consult your Rabbi for the laws of taking medicine on Shabbos and Yom Tov. 4. Do not discontinue the use of any medicine without consulting with your doctor and Rabbi. 5. This list is for year round use and does not include information for Pesach. 6. This information on this list is updated regularly. This edition should not be used after December 31, 2018. Allergy Adwe Allergy Relief Liquid Allegra Childrens Liquid Suspension Liquid Allegra Childrens Orally Disintegrating Tablet Disintegrating (dairy) Tablet Benadryl Childrens Allergy (Cherry, Dye-free Liquid Bubble gum,) Benadryl Childrens Allergy Chewable Tablet Claritin Childrens Chewable Chewable Claritin Children's Non-Drowsy Oral Solution (Grape) Liquid when bearing the OK Claritin Liqui-Gels Liquid Filled Not Capsules Claritin RediTabs (Dissolves on Tongue) Dissolving tablet Not recommended Signature Care 24 Hour Childrens Allergy Relief Grape liquid Flavored Signature Care Childrens Allergy Relief Cherry Flavor liquid Not Zyrtec Childrens Allergy Indoor & Outdoor Liquid Allergies Zyrtec Dissolve Tabs Tablets for those who cannot use other options Zyrtec Liquid Gels Liquid Filled Capsules Not 30-Oct-18 Page 1 of 11
Breath Freshener Listerine Cool Mint PocketMist Liquid Not Listerine PocketPaks Cold and Flu Assorted varieties Dissolving strip when bearing Kof-K See also 'Cough' Alka Seltzer Alka Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough LiquiGel Not LiquiGels Alka Seltzer Alka Seltzer Plus Cold Effervescent Tablets Tabs (includes Night Cold Formula) Alka Seltzer Alka Seltzer Plus Severe Cold & Flu Effervescent Formula Tablets Alka-Seltzer Alka-Seltzer Plus Severe Sinus Liquid Gel Not Congestion & Cough Cold-EEZE Cherry Flavor Lozenge for cholim Cold-EEZE Daytime QuickMelts (Mixed Berry flavor) Meltaway Cold-EEZE Honey Lemon Flavor Lozenge for cholim Cold-EEZE Nighttime QuickMelts (Mixed Berry flavor) Quickmelt tablet Delsym Daytime Cough + Cold Mixed Berry Liquid Not Delsym Liquid Nighttime Cough and Cold Liquid Not Diabetic Tussin Nighttime Cold & Flu Formula Liquid Dimetapp Childrens Cold and Allergy Liquid Liquid Not Dimetapp Children's Cold and Cough Liquid Not Dr Cocoa Nighttime Cough and Cold Liquid Equate Cold and Flue Multi-Symptom Relief Liquid Not (non-drowsy) Equate NiteTime Severe Cold and Flu Maximum Liquid Not Strength Relief Little Remedies Multi-Symptom Cold and Fever Liquid Not Mucinex Fast Max Cold and Sinus Liquid Not Mucinex Fast Max Cold, Flu and Sore Throat Liquid Not Mucinex Fast Max Night Time Cold & Flu Liquid Not Mucinex Fast Max Severe Cold Liquid Not Mucinex Sinus Max Severe Congestion Relief Liquid Not Daytime Mucinex Sinus-Max Night Time Congestion & Liquid Not Cough Mucinex Sinus-Max Pressure & Pain Liquid Not Pediacare Multisymptom Cold Liquid Liquid Not Sudafed Childrens PE Cold and Cough Liquid Not Sudafed Childrens PE Nasal Decongestant Liquid Not Theraflu Multi-Symptom Severe Cold Packets 30-Oct-18 Page 2 of 11
Cold and Flu See also 'Cough' Thera-Flu Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough Powder Powder Triaminic Children's Night Time Cold and Cough Liquid (Grape flavor) Triaminic Night Time Cough and Cold Liquid Tylenol Cold Max (Day Non-drowsy) Liquid Not Tylenol Cold Max (Night) Liquid Not Tylenol Cold Max Nighttime Cool Burst Liquid Not Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom Severe Liquid Not Tylenol Cold Sore Throat Cool Burst Liquid Tylenol Cold+Flu Severe Warming Honey Lemon Liquid Not Vicks Dayquil Cold & Flu LiquiCaps Caplets Not Vicks Dayquil Liquid Cold and Flu Liquid Not Vicks Nyquil Childrens Cold and Cough Liquid Vicks Nyquil Cold and Flu LiquiCaps Liquicaps Not Vicks Nyquil Liquid Cold and Flu Liquid Vicks NyQuil Severe Cold and Flu Liquid Not Vicks Nyquil/Dayquil Cold and Flu LiquiCaps Liquicaps Not Walgreens Childrens Chest Congestion Liquid Liquid Not Zicam Cold Remedy Lemon Lime Crystals for cholim Zicam Cold Remedy Rapid Melts with Tablet Echinacea (Lemon-Lime flavor) Zicam Oral Mist Liquid Not Zicam Rapid Melt Tablets Tablets Cough See also 'Cold and Flu' Adwe Cough Syrup Tussin Liquid Delsym Children s 12 Hour Cough Liquid (Grape Liquid Flavor) Delsym Children s 12 Hour Cough Liquid Liquid (Orange Flavor) Delsym Cough + Chest Congestion Cherry Liquid Not (includes Adult and Childrens) Delsym Liquid Cough Suppressant Liquid Diabetic Tussin DM Max Strength Cough Liquid Suppressant/Expectorant Dr Cocoa Non-Drowsy Cough Liquid Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup liquid Mucinex Chest Congestion Mini-Melts for Kids Dissolving Bubble Gum Flavor Granules Mucinex Childrens Cough Liquid Liquid Not 30-Oct-18 Page 3 of 11
Cough See also 'Cold and Flu' Mucinex Children's Multi-Symptom Cold Very Liquid Not Berry Flavor Mucinex Cough Mini-Melts for Kids Orange Dissolving Creme Flavor Granules Mucinex Fast Max Severe Congestion and Cough Liquid Not Mucinex Fast-Max DM Max Liquid Liquid Not Robitussin Adult Peak Cold Cough + Chest Liquid Not Congestion DM Maximum Strength Robitussin Childrens Cough and Cold (fruit punch) Liquid Not Robitussin Peak Cold Cough + Chest Congestion Liquid Not DM Triaminic Day Time Cold and Cough Cherry Flavor Liquid Vicks Nyquil Cough Liquid Vick's DayQuil Cough Liquid Zarbees Children's Nighttime Cough Syrup Grape Liquid Flavor Zarbees Naturals Childrens Cough Syrup Liquid Cough Drops Cepacol Extra Strength Lozenges Lozenge Not Chloraseptic Max Lozenges with Soothing Liquid Lozenge Not Center Halls Breezers Cool Berry lozenge for cholim Halls Breezers Sugar Free - Cool Berry Lozenge for cholim Halls Defense Assorted Citrus Lozenge for cholim Halls Defense Sugar Free - Assorted Citrus Lozenge for cholim Halls Sugar Free Black Cherry lozenge for cholim Halls Sugar Free Honey Lemon lozenge for cholim Halls Triple Soothing Action Cherry Lozenge for cholim Ricola Honey Herb Lozenge Ricola Lemon Mint Lozenge Ricola Natural Herb (original) Lozenge Ricola Sugar Free - Lemon Mint and Mountain Lozenge Herb Sucrets Sore Throat and Cough Lozenge for cholim 30-Oct-18 Page 4 of 11
Digestive Health Align Capsules Capsules Beano Strawberry Meltaways Gluten Free Meltaway Culturelle Digestive Health Capsules Capsules Not while in capsule Culturelle Digestive Health Chewables Chewable Not Culturelle Kids Chewables Chewable Culturelle Kids Packets Powder Imodium AD For Ages 6 & Up Liquid Liquid Not (except in cases of severe diarrhea) Imodium AD Liquid Liquid Not (except in cases of severe diarrhea) Imodium AD Multisymptom Relief Caplets Caplets Kaopectate Max Peppermint Liquid Kaopectate Vanilla Regular Flavor Liquid Fiber Supplement/Laxative Benefiber Flavor Stick Packs-Kiwi Strawberry Powder Not Benefiber Healthy Shape Powder Benefiber Powder powder Benefiber Stick Packs (unflavored) Powder Citrucel Caplets Caplets Citrucel Regular Powder (Orange Flavor) Powder Not Citrucel Sugar Free Powder Powder Not Colase Caplets Caplet/capsule Not Dulcolax Liquid Gel Soft Gel Not Dulcolax Overnight Relief Tablets Dulcolax Pink Soft Gel Soft Gel Not Dulcolax Stool Softener liquid gel Not Dulcolax Suppository Suppository Epsom Salt (pure) Generic or Branded versions Powder Ex-Lax Tablets Tablets Fibercon Caplets Caplet Generic Mineral Oil (pure) Liquid Metamucil 3 in 1 Multi Health Capsule Not Metamucil 4 in 1 MultiHealth Fiber Original Smooth Powder Metamucil 4-in-1 Multihealth Orange Smooth Powder Not Powder Metamucil Capsules Plus Calcium Capsules Not Metamucil Original Coarse Powder Metamucil Sugar Free Orange Powder Not Miralax Powder Powder 30-Oct-18 Page 5 of 11
Fiber Supplement/Laxative Pedia-Lax Chewable Tablets Not Pedia-Lax Liquid Stool Softener Fruit Punch Liquid Pedia-Lax Suppository Suppository Peri-Colase Tablets Tablets Phillips Milk of Magnesia Concentrated Fresh Liquid Not Strawberry Phillips Milk of Magnesia Fresh Mint Liquid Phillips Milk of Caplets Caplets Magnesia Phillips Milk of Cherry Flavor Liquid Liquid Not Magnesia Phillips Milk of Original Liquid (unflavored) Liquid Magnesia Polyethylene Generic or Branded versions Powder Glycol (pure) Prunelax Ciruelax Tablets Tablets Senokot Tablets Tablets Senokot-S Tablets Tablets Walgreens Mineral Oil Liquid Gas/Indigestion Relief Adwe Calcium Heartburn Relief Chewable Adwe Ko-Lanta Antacid Anti-gas Liquid Alka Seltzer Alka Seltzer Plus Night LiquiGels LiquiGel Not Alka Seltzer Alka-Seltzer Xtra Strength Effervescent Tablets Alka Seltzer Heartburn Relief Fruit Chews Chewable Tablet Not Alka Seltzer Lemon Lime Effervescent Tabs Tablets Not Alka Seltzer Original Effervescent Tabs Tablets Gas-X Extra Strength Chewables Cherry Crème Chewable Gas-X Extra Strength Chewables Peppermint Chewable Crème Gas-X Extra Strength Thin Strips Meltaway Gas-X Soft Gel Extra Strength Softgel Not Gas-X Soft Gel Ultra Strength Softgel Not Gaviscon Extra Strength Cherry Chewables Gaviscon Extra Strength Original Chewable Gaviscon Regular Strength Coolmint Flavor Liquid Not Pepcid Complete Berry Flavor Chewables Chewables (dairy) Pepcid Complete Cool Mint Chewables Chewables (dairy) Pepto Bismol 5 Symptom Relief Caplets Caplets Pepto Bismol 5 Symptom Relief Cherry Liquid Pepto Bismol 5 Symptom Relief Chewables Chewable 30-Oct-18 Page 6 of 11
Gas/Indigestion Relief Pepto Bismol Children's Pepto Bubble Gum Flavor Chewable Tablets Pepto Bismol Max Strength Liquid Cherry Flavor Liquid Tums Chewy Bites Not Tums Chewy Delights- Very Cherry, Smooth Peppermint, Orange Rush Tablets (dairy, chalav stam) Tums EX - Assorted Berries, Assorted Fruit, Assorted Tropical Fruit, Cherry, Chewable when bearing Diamond K Wintergreen Tums Freshers (including spearmint) Chewable Tums Kids (Cherry) Chewable when bearing Diamond K Tums Regular - Assorted Fruit, Sugar Free and Peppermint Chewable when bearing Diamond K Tums Smoothies - Assorted Fruit, Berry Fusion, Peppermint, Spearmint, and Tropical Chewable when bearing Diamond K Tums Miscellaneous Ultra - Assorted Berries, Assorted Fruit, Assorted Tropical Fruit, Peppermint, and Spearmint Chewable when bearing Diamond K Airborne Airborne Effervescent Tablets with tablet Not Vitamin C Airborne Blast of Vitamin C Berry Chewable Tablet Not Tablets Airborne Blast of Vitamin C Effervescent Tablets Tablet Not Asthma Inhalers, Liquid Vapor all types Bayer Low Dose Baby Aspirin Chewables Chewable (Cherry and Orange) Bonine Complete Raspberry Flavored Chewable (dairy) Castor Oil (pure) Liquid for cholim Chapstick Classic Cherry, Strawberry, Spearmint Chapstick Classic Original Chapstick Moisturizer Crest Crest 3D White Whitestrips 1 Hour Express Enfamil Soothe Powder Ensure Assorted nutritional supplements when Femcon Fe (brown and white pills) chewable tablet (dairy) Fixodent Extra Hold Powder Fixodent Free Cream Fixodent Original Cream 30-Oct-18 Page 7 of 11
Miscellaneous FlavorX Apple, Grape, Lemon, Raspberry and Watermelon flavors Liquid when bearing Star-K Floss Flavored Preferable to use unflavored floss Floss Unflavored Lip Balm Assorted All are recommended (preferably without flavor) Midol Complete Gelcap Not NoDoz Alertness Aid Pill Pedialyte Freeze Pops Liquid when Pedialyte Liters and Singles Liquid when (DE even when labeled OU-D) Pedialyte Powder Packs Powder when Polident 3 Minute Tablet Polident Overnight Whitening Tablet Polygrip Free Cream Polygrip Original Cream Probiotics Assorted Assorted Powders, liquids & gelcaps need certification; pills do not Motion Sickness Dramamine Chewables Orange Flavor Chewable Mouth Pain Relief Abreva Gel Gel Anbesol Gel Gel Not Anbesol Maximum Strength Liquid Liquid Kanka Mouth-pain Liquid Liquid Kanka Softbrush Gel Gel Not Orajel Maximum Strength Toothache Gel Orajel Mouth Sores Triple Medicated Gel Orajel Severe Toothache Gel Not Mouthwash Rav Schwartz holds mouthwash doesn't require hashgachah, but it is preferred to use a kosher variety if available. Adwe Assorted varieties Liquid when bearing Debracin logo Toms of Maine Assorted varieties Liquid when Toms of Maine Wicked Fresh Mouthwash Liquid When Bearing OU 30-Oct-18 Page 8 of 11
Pain Relief/Fever Reducer Advil Childrens Suspension (All Flavors) Liquid Advil Infants Suspension White Grape Dye- Liquid Free Advil Infants Drops Liquid Advil Junior Strength Chewables (grape) Tablet Not Advil Liqui-Gels Gelcap Not Advil Migraine Liqui-Gel Gelcap Not Adwe Fever-Ex Liquid Aleve Gelcaps Gelcaps Not Aleve Liquid Gels Gelcap Not CVS Childrens Pain Relief Rapid Tabs Meltaway/Chewabl e Tablet Equate Junior Strength Ibuprofen (Grape Flavor) Chewable GoodSense Junior Strength Ibuprofen Chewable Tablet (Orange Flavor) Motrin Childrens Suspension, Dye Free (Berry) Liquid Motrin Concentrated Infants Drops (Berry) Liquid Motrin Dye Free Childrens Suspension (Berry Liquid Flavor) Motrin Dye Free Concentrated Infant Drops Liquid (Berry) Rite Aid Junior Strength Ibuprofen (Grape Flavor) Chewable Signature Care Children's Ibuprofen Berry Flavor Liquid Not Signature Care Children's Pain Reliever Bubble Gum Liquid Not Flavor Signature Care Dye-Free Children's Pain Reliever Grape Liquid Not Flavor Signature Care Dye-Free Infants' Pain Relief Grape liquid Not Flavor Signature Care Infants Ibuprofen Berry Flavor Liquid Not Signature Care Junior Strength Ibuprofen Grape Flavor Tablet Chewable Tylenol Children's Liquid Cherry Blast or Grape Liquid (Not including dye-free) Tylenol Childrens Suspension (Bubble Gum, Liquid Cherry (Including dye-free), Grape, Strawberry) Tylenol Infant Drops Cherry or Grape Flavor (Not Liquid including dye-free) Tylenol Infants Oral Suspension Cherry Liquid (including dye-free), Grape Up & Up Childrens Acetaminophen Melty Tabs Tablet Up & Up Junior's Strength Acetaminophen Melty Tablet Tabs Up and Up Childrens Ibuprofen Oral Suspension Liquid Not Up and Up Dye Free Infants Concentrated Ibuprofen Liquid Not 30-Oct-18 Page 9 of 11
Pain Relief/Fever Reducer Walgreens Walgreens Extra Strength Pain Reliever Acetaminophen (Cherry Flavor) Junior Strength Ibuprofen 100 Chewable Tablets (Orange or Grape flavor) Liquid Tablet Sleep Aid Emergen-C Emergen-ZZZZ (Assorted Varieties) Powder Not Unisom PM Pain SleepCap Caplet Unisom SleepGels SoftGels Not Unisom Sleepmelts Meltaway Unisom SleepTab Tablet Vicks ZzzQuil Liquid Liquid Vicks ZzzQuil Liquidcaps Liquidcap Not Smoking Aid Nicoderm CQ Patch Patch Nicorette 2mg & 4mg Mint Mini Lozenge Lozenge Nicorette 2mg Cinnamon Surge Gum Gum Not Nicorette 2mg Fruit Chill Gum Gum Not Nicorette 4mg Original Gum Gum Not Throat Irritation Chloraseptic Max Spray Liquid Not Chloraseptic Spray Liquid Not Toothpaste Rav Schwartz holds toothpaste doesn't require hashgachah, but it is preferred to use a kosher variety if available. 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 Breath Strips Whitening Clean Mint Colgate Max Fresh with Mini Breath Strips Whitening Cool Mint Colgate Mild Bubble Fruit Flavor Colgate Triple Action Original Mint Crest Cavity Protection Regular Paste Crest Extra Whitening with Tartar Crest Kids Crest Cavity Protection Sparkle Fun Crest Pro Health Jr for children 8+ Crest Tartar Protection Regular Paste 30-Oct-18 Page 10 of 11
Toothpaste Rav Schwartz holds toothpaste doesn't require hashgachah, but it is preferred to use a kosher variety if available. Toms of Maine Whole Care Peppermint Gel when Vitamins Rav Schwartz holds that generally vitamins are treated as food supplements which require hashgachah even if they are in pill form. If a doctor recommends a specific vitamin which is not certified, please review your situation with your doctor and Rabbi. Bluebonnet Assorted when bearing Kof-K Freeda Assorted when Landau Assorted when bearing the Volover Rav's certification mark Maxi Health Assorted when Natures Answer Assorted when bearing Kof-K Nutralife Assorted when bearing Star-K Nutri-Supreme Assorted when bearing Kof-K Solgar Assorted when bearing Kof-K Zahlers Assorted when Weight Loss Supplement Alli Capsules Capsules Not, except for cholim (sick people) 30-Oct-18 Page 11 of 11