Looking after yourself this Ramadan

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Non-urgent advice: We care about you staying healthy during Ramadan

The holy month of Ramadan is expected begin in the evening of Friday 28 February, and end in the evening of Sunday 30 March (depending on the sighting of the moon). Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and a time when many Muslims across the world fast during daylight hours for 29 to 30 days.

The fasting period may last up to 15 hours on some days, making it all the more important for people to look after their health and spirituality when fasting.

Here are some health tips to keep in mind during Ramadan.

Muslims adults are expected to observe fasting during Ramadan. The following groups of people do not need to fast:

  • Young children (under the age of puberty)
  • People with mental illnesses
  • The elderly Women who are menstruating, pregnant, or breast-feeding
  • If you consider the fast is having a detrimental effect on your health or is life threatening
  • People with chronic illnesses and sickness
  • People on regular medication.

If your healthcare professional advises you to not fast (due to deteriorating health or life threatening illness), then you do not need to fast and you are not breaking any Islamic religious ruling by eating during Ramadan to maintain your health and wellbeing.

Taking medication

People who have chronic illnesses are exempt from fasting during Ramadan. However, some may still choose to fast and modify their treatment and medications around the day. It is important to get advice from healthcare professionals on managing your medication, if you plan to fast, to make sure there is no risk to your health.

All medications will need to be assessed, as some medications may be affected by sudden changes in the quantity of food and fluid consumed, such as when fasting. For example, you can become dehydrated when taking lithium and a lack of fluid intake.

Short term illness and fasting

People who experience acute or short-term ill health are exempt from fasting on the days they are ill in Ramadan. These days may be substituted by the same number of days in any other month of the year before the following Ramadan, if they are able. Some medications can be taken during the fasting hours and will not break the individual’s fast.

These include:

  • Paracetamol suppositories
  • Intramuscular long acting antipsychotic injections
  • Inhalers or nebulisers and oxygen to aid breathing.

If a medication can provide nourishment (such as glucagon/glucose in any formulation) or is a medication that needs to be taken with fluid such as water (for example, tablets or capsules) then that would break the fast.

Here are some useful links to support people who use CNWL services and manage medications during Ramadan:

The Muslim Council of Britain 

The British Islamic Medical Association

Choice and Medications website Handy fact sheet on Ramadan and mental health medications, in several other languages here.

The British Nutrition Foundation: A healthy Ramadan 

Managing diabetes during Ramadan