Please consult with your physician and Rabbi before eliminating or changing any prescription medication, since questions of age, physical health and special diet are involved in the final decision.
General Sephardic Position
If medication is needed for a dangerously sick person then all medications are permitted. If not dangerously sick, the medications that contain only kitniyot are permitted. If the medications contain wheat, it might be permitted in specific circumstances since it is not in a form that is considered edible, and by eating it a person does not mean to give importance (Ahsheveh) to it as food, it is permitted. However, an adult should refrain from eating sweet tasting medicine, usually made for children, if it contains a grain mixture.
All processed products including vitamins and medicines should be bought before Pesach.
Some General Guidelines for Medicinal Items:
Someone suffering from a potentially life threatening illness, may use any medication necessary and may even consume chametz on Pesach. If possible, such chametz should be owned by a non-Jew. Also, wherever possible, the chametz should be consumed in an indirect and abnormal way, such as in a capsule, dissolved into a liquid, etc.
If someone is ill, but their life is not endangered, they may not directly consume chametz on Pesach. However, with some restrictions, they may take required medications – even those containing chametz components.
Medication in pill (tablet) form that is swallowed (not chewable, liquid, or “sucking”) – even if it contains chametz is permitted without special Passover certification.
Chewable pills may contain chametz or kitniot. A healthy person should consult a reliable list of approved medications.
For a person who is ill, if the chewable pills contain chametz or kitniot and no alternative is available, consult your Rabbi.
Liquid medications containing chametz should not be used. These often contain grain alcohol and problematic flavorings and require Passover supervision.
All Pre-natal vitamins that are taken as directed by a doctor, should be used without hesitation.
In other cases when your doctor prescribes a specific vitamin that must be taken on Passover, (even if it does not have Passover supervision) it may fall into the category of a pill medication. Each situation must be individually reviewed with your doctor and your Rabbi.