Taking Medication on Yom Kippur
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Question
I have a young man who takes Attent (a medication for attention and concentration) daily in a high dosage, and it is part of his daily functioning. He finds it very difficult to swallow without water. What can he do on Yom Kippur? And is it permitted to take it at all on Yom Kippur?
Answer
Shalom and blessings
Taking medication on Yom Kippur is similar to taking it on Shabbat. After reaching the age of Bar Mitzvah, only someone who is defined as 'ill' is permitted to take it. Before reaching the age of Bar Mitzvah, it is permitted even in cases defined as 'distress'.
Usually, the need for medication for attention and concentration is defined as 'distress' and not 'illness', and is permitted only until the age of Bar Mitzvah.
If it is a special case that causes the young man to be considered 'ill', it is permitted to take the medication. In such a case, one should try to take it without water, and if it is impossible without water, the water should be made bitter with tea essence or lemon juice, etc., so that there is no enjoyment in drinking the water.