Most of a rapamycin pill is filler, and it’s possible that some of this filler ingredient can get stuck into cells over the exposure time of a lifetime.
What rapamycin pills have less plastic?
This is mostly a curiosity question
KarlT
#2
Are you saying that you think the filler is plastic?
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Alpha
#3
Via Perplexity.ai
Do any FDA approved pharmaceutical pills or capsules contain plastics or micro plastics?
Answer
Currently, there is no blanket FDA prohibition on the use of plastics or microplastics in pharmaceutical pills or capsules. However, the FDA has taken some steps to address concerns about microplastics in medications:
FDA Guidelines on Microplastics in Drugs
The FDA has issued guidelines that restrict medically unnecessary microplastics in drugs and require any replacement additives to meet strict safety standards. This indicates the agency is aware of potential issues with microplastics in pharmaceuticals and is taking steps to limit their use when not medically necessary.
Approved Plastic Materials
Some FDA-approved medications do contain plastic materials as inactive ingredients or in their formulation:
- Many extended-release or controlled-release tablets and capsules use plastic-based polymers to control the drug release rate.
- Some capsule shells are made from cellulose-based materials, which are a type of plastic.
- Certain coatings on pills may contain plastic-derived materials.
However, these plastics are specifically approved for pharmaceutical use and undergo rigorous safety testing before being allowed in medications.
Ongoing Research and Monitoring
The FDA continues to monitor research on microplastics and their potential health impacts. While there are currently no specific regulations banning all plastics or microplastics in drugs, the agency has the authority to take action if evidence emerges of safety concerns.It’s important to note that the presence of approved plastic materials in medications does not necessarily mean they contain harmful microplastics. The FDA’s focus is on ensuring the safety and efficacy of medications, including careful evaluation of all ingredients and materials used in their production.
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AnUser
#4
The enteric coating can be a plastic polymer?
KarlT
#5
Am I the only one that thinks trying to avoid microplastics is a lost cause?
6 Likes
It absolutely is. It’s in everything.
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Sadly, while I’ve been trying to avoid plastics all my life, I agree it’s a totally lost cause. That stuff is everywhere and unavoidable. If you brush your teeth, note how brushes get “used up” - that is the wearing down of plastic through abrasion - that’s exposure several times each day with the plastic bristles in the toothbrush, electric toothbrush heads, floss etc., and so on endlessly.
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One of the most under rated source of micro-plastics/polymers are car tires.
I used to ask my kids a silly question; since tires wear out while driving and there are millions of cars, why aren’t there piles of rubber on the side of the road? they puzzled on that for a while and had some interesting kid answers 
Turns out the wear is “micro” sized and goes into the air and water…
Concentrations of tire wear microplastics and other traffic-derived non-exhaust particles in the road environment
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412022005451
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AnUser
#9
How is that measured? I’ve heard PM2.5, PM10 particles etc come from car tires as well. Could they be the same thing?
Yep. Car tires are terrible for health and the environment. People focus on the exhaust, but the tires are not even subject to amelioration, you can cut down on engine emissions through catalitic converters, and go all the way to electric cars, but that does nothing for tire pollution. All cars could be fleets of self driving electric vehicles, and the tire problem would continue unabated. As long as there are vehicles rolling on wheels, you will have problems. Living near high trafficked roads is a serious health hazard.
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Pat25
#11
It is.
I have an air purifier on 24/7 - among others as we apparently also inhale nano- and microplastics. A year ago or so I suddenly started wondering whether the filters themselves didn’t release nano-/microplastics in the air. They do… but according to a publication sponsored by an air purifier company, less than you’d have in the air without the air purifier 
.
The list of such epiphanies keeps piling up.
Concerning the nano-/microplastic pollution coming from tires - absolutely an issue. And some publications indicate that, as electric cars commonly tend to be heavier, they may produce more nano-/microplastic pollution (increased friction, increased tire wear…).
Since as a child I made a habit out of drinking tea from a plastic water cooker all day, I feel I may as well give up.
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KarlT
#12
I guess the related compounds, phthalates are in a lot of foods also.
I think it’s going to be largely solved by some form of mucolytic agent that targets micro plastic containing mucosas similar to how they work for thinning mucus.
I’d imagine some enzyme it carries that can break down (eat) the biofilm and/or micro plastics and move them through and out the GI tract.
Plastic-Eating Bacteria: Nature’s Recyclers
Something like above.
3 Likes
Pat25
#14
I really hope you’re right. That looks very interesting, thanks for sharing.
Once micro-plastics are processed in your gut and move into your organs, no mucolytic agent is going to decrease it in your organs. Especially not in your brain… or testes…
You are already “contaminated” and yes, I do mean you… as we all are 
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Maybe pure powders if you truly want to reduce exposure
Even plants are fertilized with plastic encapsulated fertilizer
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