Taking Crushed Ritalin on Shabbos
Question
I’d like to take Ritalin on Shabbos so I don’t experience uncontrollable drowsiness and can focus on davening and learning.Would it be permitted to crush the pill before Shabbos and mix it into a crushed cookie, so I can take it on Shabbos?Just to note, I also rely on this medication during the week, it’s hard for me to function without it, and I take it almost daily.
Answer
Shalom,
If the medication is mixed into food before Shabbos, and it’s not noticeable that it is being taken for medicinal purposes, it is permitted.
Although I’m not sure that a crushed cookie is something people usually eat. And if it is indeed not a common way of eating, then it would be evident that it’s being eaten for the sake of the medication.
Therefore, it is better to use other foods that are commonly eaten in a crushed form