Psychiatric Conditions. The use of a psychotropic drug is disqualifying for aeromedical certification purposes. This includes all sedatives, tranquilizers, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressant drugs (including SSRI's - see exceptions), analeptics, anxiolytics, and hallucinogens.
Opiates, such as Morphine, Codeine, Lortab, Percodan, Oxycontin. Muscle relaxants, such as Soma, Sonata, Flexeril. Anicholinergics, such as Levsin, Bnetyl, Transderm Scop. Sedating antihistamines, such as Benadryl, Chlorpheniramine, Zyrtec.
Well-managed depression is compatible with medical certification. If you relapse in depressive symptoms, you must report them to the Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME). You must tell your DAME about any changes to your medication and will require grounding for 2 to 4 weeks.
Anti-Depressants / Anxiety – Single-use Anti-Depressants such as: Celexa (Citalopram Hydrobromide), Lexapro (Escitalopram Oxalate), Prozac (Fluoxetine Hydrochloride), Zoloft (Sertraline Hydrochloride).
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ( ADHD ), formerly called Attention Deficit Disorder ( ADD ), and medications used for treatment may result in cognitive deficits that would make an airman unsafe to perform pilot duties.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has a list of these medications that are not allowed for pilots who hold FAA-issued medical certificates, because the FAA has determined that they have the potential to interfere with the safe operation of an aircraft. Xanax is one of these medications.
Although the Federal Aviation Administration requires physicals every year for commercial pilots under 40 and every six months for those older, the FAA does not require psychological checks. The FAA-approved doctors order testing only if they think a pilot needs it.
Due to the risks to flight safety posed by ADHD, regulatory authorities worldwide consider ADHD a disqualifying condition for pilots.
The SSRI pathway only allows consideration for pilots who take one of four SSRIS: fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), or sertraline (Zoloft). As of 2023, a pilot can also be approved taking sustained-release or extended-release bupropion (Wellbutrin).
You can bring your medication in pill or solid form in unlimited amounts as long as it is screened. You can travel with your medication in both carry-on and checked baggage. It's highly recommended you place these items in your carry-on in the event that you need immediate access.
Generally, if there is a clinically valid bipolar diagnosis, this diagnosis would be a bar to certification. However, before a determination can be made in any one case, we would need to determine if there was, in fact, a legitimate diagnosis of bipolar disorder in the pilot's medical history.
The Federal Aviation Regulations prohibit pilots from performing crewmember duties while using any medication that affects the faculties in any way contrary to safety. The safest rule is not to fly as a crewmember while taking any medication, unless approved to do so by the FAA.
The FAA encourages pilots to seek help if they have a mental health condition since most, if treated, do not disqualify a pilot from flying.
Myth: I will lose my FAA medical if I seek help for any mental health situation. Truth: The FAA will be concerned if you are clinically diagnosed with a psychiatric condition (depressive disorders, psychosis, personality disorders, anxiety disorder or bipolar disorder) or a substance abuse disorder.
Yes, you can become a private pilot if you have anxiety or depression, as long as your condition is well-managed and does not pose a risk to flight safety. You must disclose your mental health condition during the FAA medical certification process, and you may be required to undergo additional evaluations.
A neuropsychologist can conduct a battery of testing to determine whether an individual with ADHD has any cognitive deficits that may interfere with their ability to safely operate an aircraft. FAA requirements include two test batteries to be completed after 90 days of not being on medications for the condition.
Some of the commonly-prescribed medications that individuals take for ADHD are Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin, Strattera, Vyvanse, and Dexedrine. All these medications are disqualifying for medical certification purposes!
It is recognized as a disability under the 1992 Disability Discrimination Act.
The use of a psychotropic drug is disqualifying for aeromedical certification purposes. This includes all sedatives, tranquilizers, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressant drugs (including SSRI's - see exceptions), analeptics, anxiolytics, and hallucinogens.
It depends on how severe the OCD was, the root causes of the disorder, the length of time since the last episode and the likelihood of future recurrence. The aviation medical system is set up to be conservative for good reasons, the cockpit is a bad place to become fixated.
Nevertheless, language skills and cognitive development are not impaired and someone diagnosed with Asperger syndrome may be able to acquire the skills necessary to function safely as a pilot or air traffic controller.
Pilots and air traffic controllers should not use Viagra within 8 hours of performing their (aviation) duties. Levitra, approved by the FDA in August 2003, has a similar profile to Viagra. The FAA initially allowed the use of Levitra in pilots/controllers.
People often come to us requesting the doctor or nurse to prescribe diazepam for fear of flying or assist with sleep during flights. Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed.
Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland and may be used to regulate sleep. Some research shows it may prevent Alzheimer's Disease. Melatonin is approved by the FAA on a case by case basis. Pilots without “sleep disorders” using melatonin must take it daily and the dosage should be 3-5 mg.