Short answer
Yes, when there is a real medical need and no suitable alternative. Pigs are impure and forbidden, but the Quran lifts the prohibition in necessity, and Hanafi scholars allow treatment with forbidden substances when a qualified doctor says it is needed. If a non-pig option works as well for you, use it. The other schools also allow it in necessity, with some differences of detail.
Medicines and implants from pigs are permitted only in necessity or real need, on a qualified doctor's advice, when no halal alternative of similar effect is available. Choosing them when such an alternative exists is not allowed.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Several medical products come from pigs:
- Heparin and low molecular weight heparins such as enoxaparin, blood thinners made from pig intestine
- Tissue heart valves, often made from pig valve tissue, as opposed to mechanical valves
- Pancreatic enzyme capsules for cystic fibrosis and pancreatitis
- Gelatin in capsules and some vaccines (see gelatin in medicine)
- older insulin from pigs, now largely replaced by human and analogue insulins made by other methods
Allah lists the flesh of swine among what is forbidden, then says that whoever is forced by necessity, neither desiring it nor transgressing its limit commits no sin (2:173). The relied-upon Hanafi position is that treatment with a forbidden substance is allowed when a skilled doctor says the cure lies in it and nothing lawful will do. The Prophet ﷺ allowed sick travellers to drink camel urine as a remedy, which shows that impurity can be overlooked for treatment.
In practice:
- Tell your doctor that you prefer to avoid pork products. For blood thinning there are often synthetic options, such as fondaparinux or tablet anticoagulants, though they are not right for every patient.
- For heart valves, the choice between a mechanical and a tissue valve depends on age, pregnancy plans and the need for lifelong blood thinners. If your surgeon advises a pig valve as best for you, it is allowed.
- In an emergency, accept what is given and do not delay treatment over this question.
Ask a mufti about your own case. This answer explains the general ruling. When the details of your situation matter, as they do here, ask a qualified mufti and give them the full facts. Where to ask a scholar.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:173
إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْمَيْتَةَ وَٱلدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ ٱلْخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ بِهِۦ لِغَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنِ ٱضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍۢ وَلَا عَادٍۢ فَلَآ إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿١٧٣﴾
He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
Necessity lifts the prohibition of pork for treatment when there is no alternative.
Quran, Surah Al-An'aam 6:119
وَمَا لَكُمْ أَلَّا تَأْكُلُوا۟ مِمَّا ذُكِرَ ٱسْمُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَقَدْ فَصَّلَ لَكُم مَّا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِلَّا مَا ٱضْطُرِرْتُمْ إِلَيْهِ ۗ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًۭا لَّيُضِلُّونَ بِأَهْوَآئِهِم بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلْمُعْتَدِينَ ﴿١١٩﴾
And why should you not eat of that upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned while He has explained in detail to you what He has forbidden you, excepting that to which you are compelled. And indeed do many lead [others] astray through their [own] inclinations without knowledge. Indeed, your Lord - He is most knowing of the transgressors.
What is forbidden becomes allowed under compulsion.
Sahih al-Bukhari 233
Sahih... وأن يشربوا من أبوالها وألبانها ...
"He told them to drink the urine and milk of the camels."
An impure substance was allowed as a remedy.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5678
Sahih... ما أنزل الله داء إلا أنزل له شفاء ...
"Allah has not sent down any disease without sending down a cure for it."
Seeking treatment is encouraged.
Where the ruling is recorded
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Taharah, discussion of treatment with impure and forbidden things. Reports the fatwa position that it is allowed when a cure is known and no alternative exists.
- al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Kitab al-Karahiyya, chapter on treatment and remedies (al-tadawi wa al-mu'alajat). Treatment with forbidden things is allowed when a skilled doctor says the cure lies in it.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.