New York – Halachically Speaking: Beracha On Medications – Pills Chewables and more‏

Pills which are swallowed

If there is no flavor on the coating on a pill, no beracha is recited because there is no enjoyment from the pill. In addition, swallowing medication without chewing it first is not the normal manner of consumption and is not viewed halachically as eating. Furthermore, it is possible that these pills are not fit to be eaten and therefore do not require a beracha. Some say this even applies to a pill which has a sweet coating; since one swallows it no beracha is recited.

Some say if one is taking a pill in order for one to lose weight and by taking the pill it makes one feel full, then one should recite a beracha on the pill since it is instead of food. Nonetheless, the poskim suggest one makes a beracha on something else instead.

Chewable

A chewable pill which has a pleasant taste requires a beracha according to those who recite a beracha on pleasant tasting medications. One should recite a shehakol on a different food before consuming flavored Tums® that have a hechsher.

Intravenous

One who receives food in a liquid form through intravenous does not recite a beracha on the food.

Drinking before a Procedure

Many times before a medical procedure is performed one is given something to drink. This drink does not necessarily taste good on its own, but sweeteners are added to it. The status of whether a beracha would be recited is dependent on the both opinions mentioned above. One who is given something to eat before a procedure would recite a beracha on the food.

Drinking Water for Medical Purposes

When one is taking a pill that does not taste pleasant and wants to drink water to mask the bad taste, no beracha is recited on the water. The same is true if one is taking a pill and is not thirsty. Before a woman goes for an ultra sound/sonogram she is asked to drink water. No beracha is recited on the water. It would seem that a nursing woman, who needs to drink a lot of water, would not recite a beracha on the water if she is not thirsty. However, others maintain that she should take food whose beracha is shehakol and exempt the beracha on the water. Many times, after one brushes his teeth or rinses with mouthwash, he drinks water to rinse out his mouth, one does not recite a beracha on such water. If one has a sore throat and drinks water to clear his throat, it would seem that a beracha is not recited. (In all the above situations, if one is thirsty, a beracha is recited). One who drinks a tasty beverage to take his pill would recite a beracha on the beverage.

The above article is reprinted with permission exclusive to VIN News from Halachically Speaking, a monthly publication compiled by Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits, a former chaver kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath and a musmach of Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita. Rabbi Lebovits currently works as the Rabbinical Administrator for the KOF-K Kosher Supervision. To subscribe to Halachically Speaking via email for free sign up at www.thehalacha.com