What is Polysorbate 80 used for in medicines?

An emulsifier derived from fatty acids and sorbitol. Stabilizes liquid medicines and vaccines.

What are common sources of Polysorbate 80?

Common sources include: Plant oils (typical); Animal fats (rare). Manufacturers often do not disclose which source is used.

What is the source of the fatty acids?

Ask your pharmacist or prescriber. RxHalal lists this because Polysorbate 80 is uncertain in our cited database.

Library

Is Polysorbate 80 halal?

Polysorbate 80 is classified uncertain for halal use with Low confidence. An emulsifier derived from fatty acids and sorbitol. Fatty acid source can be plant or animal.

Emulsifier · Confidence: Low

Also known as: Tween 80, E433

Uncertain Ask pharmacist

Find medicines containing Polysorbate 80

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Halal-friendlier alternatives

From our ingredient library, curated compare pairs, and alternatives listed on this record — confirm with your clinician before switching.

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What it is

An emulsifier derived from fatty acids and sorbitol.

Source:FDA Inactive Ingredient Database (IIG)EFSA — food emulsifiers

Why it's here

Stabilizes liquid medicines and vaccines.

See:FDA Inactive Ingredient Database (IIG)EFSA — food emulsifiers

Why it may matter

Fatty acid source can be plant or animal.

Source:FDA Inactive Ingredient Database (IIG)EFSA — food emulsifiers

Common sources

Plant oils (typical)
Animal fats (rare)

Questions to ask

What is the source of the fatty acids?

Allergen tags

This excipient is sometimes flagged for the following allergen categories. Separate from halal status.

Soy — Polysorbate 80

Reason codes

fattyAcidSourceUnknown

Evidence & citations2

Audit

Common questions

Is Polysorbate 80 halal?: RxHalal currently classifies Polysorbate 80 as UNCERTAIN (Low confidence). Fatty acid source can be plant or animal. This is information only — not a fatwa or medical advice.
What is Polysorbate 80 used for in medicines?: An emulsifier derived from fatty acids and sorbitol. Stabilizes liquid medicines and vaccines.
What are common sources of Polysorbate 80?: Common sources include: Plant oils (typical); Animal fats (rare). Manufacturers often do not disclose which source is used.
What is the source of the fatty acids?: Ask your pharmacist or prescriber. RxHalal lists this because Polysorbate 80 is uncertain in our cited database.

Medicines using this excipient

14 total3 halal11 uncertain0 concern

Compare Humira 40 mg Pen (adalimumab) vs Trulicity 0.75 mg Pen (dulaglutide) →

Halal-flagged medicines in our catalog (same excipient listed)

See all 14 medicines →

Seen most often in these conditions

Where this excipient turns up across RxHalal's tracked treatment categories.

Showing top 5 of 11 matched conditions.

Smallest set of questions to ask

AI suggests the fewest questions that would resolve the uncertainty.

Offline: the questions listed above are available without AI.