Answer: The Gemara (Berachos 8a; Yoma 81b) writes
that there is a mitzva to eat on erev Yom Kippur. According to
Rashi, we do so to properly prepare for the fast on the following day (See
Rashi, Rosh Hashana 9a).
The Sdei Chemed (Yom Kippur 1:18) writes that one mustn’t purposely
continue eating until the fast begins as this will prevent one from feeling
that they’re fasting on Yom Kippur. R’ Eliezer Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer 7:32:4), R’ Menashe Klein (Mishne Halachos 2:66:4; 7:82) and
R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer OC 9:54), however, challenge this, writing
that we are not supposed to actively do anything to oppress ourselves on Yom
Kippur. If we are supposed to eat and drink more before Yom Kippur, then we are
allowed to plan our eating in this way. Thus, these poskim write that
one may take slow release energy capsules before
Yom Kippur (See Rivevos Ephraim 3:413:2).
While R’ Ovadia Yosef writes that one should only take such pills if they
really struggle to fast, other poskim allow everyone to take them.
Similarly, R’ Mordechai Yaakov Breish (Chelkas Yaakov OC:216) argues that taking such a pill is no different to
eating well before Yom Kippur and deciding to eat again before the fast starts
in order to curb their hunger pangs later. He adds, however, that it is
important to ensure that the ingredients are all kosher. Only one who was ill
would be allowed to take non-kosher medicine.
In conclusion, while some sefardim
may avoid taking them unless they struggle to fast, the consensus is to allow
taking such pills before the fast.
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