Fiqh of Medicine #3

        

Fiqh of Medicine

“The doctor prescribed medicine that contains narcotics; is it permissible for me to take it?”

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Question:

 We know Islam forbids intaking of intoxicating drugs, but what if the doctor prescribes a stimulant such Adderall, which is to treat attention deficit and hyperactivity? The doctor examined me thoroughly and I told him that I did not want to take any medication, but he said that it is better in my case to treat the problem with medication. Is it permissible for me to take this medicine?

Elaboration:

Adderall is the trade name for a stimulant medication that is believed to work by increasing the amount of dopamine produced in the brain. Studies have shown that Adderall works by increasing alertness and focus, which is done by reducing feelings of tiredness in the user. It is also used to treat cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Medically, it is not considered to be a narcotic drug but legally, Adderall, like other stimulants such as Ritalin and Concerta is classified under the Controlled Substances Act as a Schedule II drug. This indicates that Adderall does have a high abuse and dependence potential, and thus has some amount of influence on our behavior. Islam clearly prohibits the use of narcotics in our daily lives but what if it is necessary for our health?

Answer:

Praise be to Allah.

With regard to the ruling on using medicines that contain narcotics, the basic principle is that they are not allowed and they are haraam. But if it is used for medical purposes and there are no permissible medications that could be used instead, then in that case it is permissible to use them, subject to certain conditions: 

1.     That the patient’s need for this medication is a case of necessity or urgent need

2.     That a trustworthy Muslim doctor should testify that this narcotic medication is beneficial for the patient

3.     That use of the medication should be limited to that which will meet the need

4.     That this medication should not cause the patient greater harm than or harm equal to the harm because of which he is using it. 

The scholars of the Standing Committee were asked: 

What is the ruling on using pethidine or morphine, which are drugs that have an intoxicating effect, in cases of necessity or need? 

They replied:

“If there is no other permissible substance that can be used to reduce the patient’s pain other than these two substances, then it is permissible to use either of them to reduce pain in the case of necessity. That is on condition that using it should not lead to any greater or equal harm, such as addiction to its use.” 

Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz, Shaykh ‘Abd ar-Razzaaq ‘Afeefi, Shaykh ‘Abdullah ibn Ghadyaan, Shaykh ‘Abdullah ibn Qa‘ood 

End quote from Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah, 25/77, 78 

It is also advisable to consult a trustworthy Muslim doctor; if he tells you that your case requires treatment and that there is no suitable alternative in your case apart from this type of medicine, then there is nothing wrong with you using it, in sha Allah. 

But if there is a permissible alternative, or it is a matter of what is better, as we understand from your question, and it has not reached the level of necessity or urgent need, then you are not allowed to use it. 

And Allah knows best.