Overview
Taking medicines during Ramadan
If you take medicines regularly, you might wonder if it’s still safe for you to fast during Ramadan. It’s important you get advice so you can make the right decision for your health and your faith.
Before deciding to fast
Talk to your healthcare team or pharmacist before Ramadan, or as soon as you can. They’ll let you know if you can fast safely and if you need to adjust how you take your medicine.
Important
Do not change how you take your medicine before talking to a healthcare professional.
Ask for advice even if you’ve asked about it before. Your condition can change each year, so the advice might be different.
Deciding to fast
Only fast if your healthcare team says it’s safe for you.
If it’s safe for you to fast, we’ll work with you to reduce any health risks and give you medical advice about how to fast. Make sure you follow the advice carefully.
Ask your healthcare team:
- if there are any risks to fasting with your health condition
- what the 'sick day rules' are for your medicine – these tell you if you need to temporarily stop taking your medicine if you feel unwell
- who to contact if you feel unwell while fasting
- when you should break your fast for medical reasons
If you cannot fast
Not everyone can fast safely during Ramadan. If it is not safe for you to fast, you can speak to your local Imam or religious scholar about what you can do instead of fasting.
Our spiritual care team also has an Imam, who is our Muslim chaplain. Contact him by emailing [email protected]
More information
- Fasting during Ramadan with chronic kidney disease – Kidney Care UK
- Ramadan and kidney health – British Islamic Medical Association
- How to have a healthy Ramadan when you have a heart condition – British Heart Foundation
- Navigating fasting during Ramadan for cancer patients – Macmillan Cancer Support
Resource number: 5556/VER1
Last reviewed: January 2026
Next review due: January 2029
