Q. During Purim, can a patient on prescription drugs become inebriated by them and fulfill the mitzvah of drinking on Purim, since he cannot drink wine or any alcohol at all?
　
A. Many Poskim (Rashi Megila 7a – Rambam Megila 2,15 et al.) insist that wine should be the beverage used, as the miracles of Purim occurred by reason of a wine banquet. However, many others totally omit the mention of wine and permit any alcoholic beverage (see Hisorerus Teshuvo 3,491 – Mishne Halochos 5,83 – Piskey Teshuvos 695,3). For someone who finds drinking wine difficult, Poskim recommend drinking some wine and then following with other alcoholic beverages.

It stands to reason that a prescription drug that has a similar effect of creating joy, is comparable to all other alcoholic beverages. In this particular case, it could be advisable for the patient, with his doctor’s approval to take his prescription drugs and fall asleep afterwards, as recommended by the Remoh (O.C. 695,2).

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a