The following are guidelines for the use of medication on Pesach for individuals who are ill:
1. Creams, non-chewable pills and injections may be owned and used on Pesach even if they contain chametz, since they are inedible. This covers
most medicines used by adults.
a. It is permissible to grind pills and mix the powder into food items so that a child can take medicine on Pesach. However, a doctor must be consulted to make sure that the child is getting the correct dosage and that the potency of the pill isn’t compromised by grinding it up. Furthermore, pills cannot be groundon the Shabbat or Yom Tov, but rather should be prepared beforehand.
If an equally effective chametz-free alternative is available, it should be used.
2. Liquid medicines, chewable pills (and pills coated with a flavored glaze) are edible and may contain chametz. Therefore:
a. If possible, they should be replaced – under the direction of a doctor – with a non-chewable, uncoated pill.b. If substitution is not possible and the person is in a state of sakanah or safek sakanah (any possible danger to human life), they may own and consume the medication. The same applies if the condition is not yet a safek sakanah but may deteriorate to that point.
A Rabbi should be consulted as to whether it is preferable to purchase the medicine before or on Pesach, and as to how to dispose of the medicine once
the danger passes.c. If substitution is not possible and a doctor determines that there is no possibility of sakanah if the person doesn’t take the medicine, a Rabbi should be consulted. He may be able to determine that the medicine doesn’t contain chametz or he may decide that the medicine may be consumed due to the seriousness of the patient’s condition.
3. In many cases, medicinal items which contain kitnios are permitted for people who are ill. Questions on this issue should be directed to your
local Rabbi.
4. People should exercise extreme caution and consult with their doctor and Rabbi before making a decision to not take a medicine.
5. These guidelines do not address the question of consuming medicines on Shabbos and Yom Tov.
