Ramadan, the ninth month in Islam’s lunar calendar, is the most sacred time of the year for Muslims. It’s when the Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims observe Ramadan by increasing our worship, which includes prayers, giving to charity, and fasting from food and drink from sunrise to sundown. It’s a challenging, but spiritually fulfilling month.
There is so much wisdom in Islam, including in terms of well-being. In addition to the spiritual benefits this month brings us, one meta-analysis suggests that fasting for Ramadan also can lead to positive physical health changes. But for people taking certain medications, particularly those with chronic conditions (including mental health diagnoses) that need prolonged and consistent care, fasting for Ramadan may be contraindicated—meaning, it’s not safe for these people, or they may need medication adjustments to safely fast. If you’re taking a prescription med for a long-term condition, you can still have a meaningful and observant month without potentially throwing your health off course.
Don’t try to adjust your medications on your own—for both medical and spiritual reasons.
First and foremost: Don’t self-adjust any of your prescription medications. If you can’t consult a health care provider to help you make a plan before Ramadan starts, it’s best to continue taking your medications as prescribed rather than fasting—and this is in sync with what the religious guidance is here, too. If fasting were to cause you harm, it becomes haram (forbidden). That includes if forgoing medication, or altering the schedule you take it on, exacerbated an illness or symptoms of a health condition.
It’s important to honor your physical and mental well-being. As a Muslim, your health is your spiritual priority: According to a hadith (saying of the Prophet), “Your body has a right over you.” “Fasting is not supposed to be a hardship,” Mona Masood, DO, a Philadelphia-based board-certified psychiatrist and board member of the Muslim Wellness Foundation, tells SELF. If a doctor advises you not to fast because of medically necessary medications, know that it then becomes your religious obligation to heed that advice not to fast. Islam is a religion of moderation and sustainability; as the Prophet Muhammad said in a hadith, “Religion is easy, and no one overburdens himself in his religion but he will be unable to continue in that way”—meaning, don’t go to extreme ends that might harm you to practice faith, because that’s actually antithetical to being faithful.
Check with a health care provider about potential options for changing your medication regimen.
Sheeba Rahman, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist based in Florida, tells SELF she advises people to remember that their individual health needs are unique, and that it’s important not to generalize medical advice. “Anyone taking prescription medication should consult with a doctor before fasting,” says Dr. Rahman. She explains that it’s important to tell your doctor exactly when and for how long you’ll be fasting so they can make adjustments accordingly, as the dosage strength, frequency, or timing may change when fasting. Some medications may be able to be taken with suhoor or iftar, so you can still fast, but always check with a prescribing doctor first.
Ali Nasir, DO, FACOI, a board-certified internal medicine physician based in Pompano Beach, Florida, tells SELF he recommends a “pre-Ramadan assessment” as the first step for anyone with health concerns who intends to fast. Basically, check in with a health care provider about your plans, and see what adjustments you might need to make to your schedule in order to keep your health needs met. “If medications are long-acting, your physician may advise you to change the time you take your medication so you can take it during non-fasting hours,” Dr. Nasir says. Some doses and regimens for drugs taken regularly, like those for certain cardiological conditions, can be easily adjusted to align to your fast (but, again, don’t make this call on your own without the advice of a health care provider).