Medications to ease the fast — taking it on Shabbos
Question
In the year 5782, Tisha B’Av falls on Sunday, and we are preparing ourselves for the fast. There are pills and medications to ease the fast. Logically, I would say that this is not a method of healing, but rather for nutrition. It is a nutritional essence that will sustain the body for two days, and eating in such a way is permissible. And what does it matter that the external form of the product is tablets and has a taste reminiscent of medicine?
Answer
Shalom!
The rule is that 'healthy people’s food' is permitted to eat on Shabbat. In other words, even if a person eats food for healing, if it is the way of healthy people to eat it for their enjoyment, it is permitted.
On the one hand, it’s true that pills for strengthening during a fast are not 'medicine for the sick'. But on the other hand, they are certainly not regular food for people.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, section Orach Chaim, chapter 328, subsection 37.