Question:
Assalmu Alaikum.
Recently I was instructed by my doctor to take a medicine .The medicine is called “BroHex” and is used to remove mucous from the lungs. I asked about other non alcoholic cough syrups etc, but was told that I need to take this medicine with the main ingredient called Bromhexine Hydrochloride, which contains the alcohol. They said this Bromhexine is required as other syrups would only treat the cough but wouldn’t eliminate the mucus from he lungs. Would this be permissible to use given the circumstances?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Synthetic alcohol which is used in medicine, cosmetics etc. is not regarded as impure. Firstly, one should seek alternative brands or products which are free from alcohol.
If there are no alcohol-free alternatives, it will then be halaal to consume such products/medicines that contain the small amount of alcohol extract as it is not usually made from grapes or dates, and on condition that it is not intoxicating and only consumed as an additive in such products in minute amounts. (Any amount of alcohol derived from dates or grapes will be impermissible according to the Hanafi Madhab).
Synthetic alcohols and alcohols besides those which are not extracted from dates and grapes in foods, as a carrier or solvent in very small amounts are permissible to use and consume as long as it is not used to intoxicate.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best.
Mufti Arshad Ali
Darul Iftaa, Jaamia Madinatul Uloom (Trinidad)
