Eating on Tisha B'Av for Taking Medication
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Question
Is it permissible to take a pill (Ibuprofen) to ease stomach pain on Tisha B'Av? The pill cannot be taken on an empty stomach, and one must eat even a little before taking the pill. Is it permissible to eat a little before taking the pill?
Answer
If possible, take another pain reliever that can be taken without food.
If this is not possible, ask a doctor if it is harmful to take it without food even once.
If there is no option to take another pill, it depends on the level of pain. If the pain is so strong that you are weakened to the point that you need to lie down, or you suffer throughout the body from the pain, you are permitted in principle to eat and drink normally as a 'sick person'. And certainly, you may eat a little to swallow the pill.
If the pain is not at such a level, it is not considered 'sick', and eating is forbidden.