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.
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.
Prepare before the flight: Take 1 mg of melatonin after waking up and gradually start waking up later. Day of the flight: 1 mg after waking up.
Taking a melatonin supplement when you first get on a flight— if traveling overnight—is a great way to ease yourself to sleep, so you wake up refreshed and rested when you land. However, this should only be done for flights longer than 6 hours, as this is how long it takes melatonin to leave your system.
In that scenario, it's tempting to seek some outside support…but can you safely take melatonin or a sleeping pill on a plane? According to sleep doctors, the short answer is yes, so long as you take a few particular precautions around timing and dosage.
The warning to the pilots from the FAA doctors says Viagra may impair pilots' ability to distinguish between blue and green, important for runway lights and instrument panels.
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.
Due to the risks to flight safety posed by ADHD, regulatory authorities worldwide consider ADHD a disqualifying condition for pilots. Unfortunately, pilots sometimes fail to disclose ADHD to their Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).
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.
The over-the-counter products such as chlorpheneramine (Clortrimaton, CTM) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) found in many commercial products cause drowsiness. Likewise, Zyrtec (certirazine) and a similar medication Xyzal may cause drowsiness. They are not permitted by the FAA.
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.
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.
In this cross-sectional study involving 344 pilots, 48.8% of the sample had insomnia, 38.1% were found to have impaired sleep quality, 25% reported increased sleepiness, and 17.2% were at high risk of having obstructive sleep apnea.
Melatonin: FSA Eligibility
Melatonin may be eligible with a Letter of Medical Necessity for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).
Pharmaceutical Considerations: The use of a psychotropic drug is disqualifying for aeromedical certification purposes – this includes all antidepressant drugs, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
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!
Adderall, as well as all other amphetamines and dextroamphetamines, is a disqualifying medication for the purpose of airman medical certification with the FAA. What does this mean? If you are taking Adderall, your application for medical certification will be denied.
Use of Oral or Repository Contraceptives or Hormonal Replacement Therapy are not disqualifying for medical certification. If the applicant is experiencing no adverse symptoms or reactions to hormones and is otherwise qualified, the Examiner may issue the desired certificate.
For people who want to take melatonin just before bed, a 5 mg dose is appropriate. “Some people report headaches or stomach problems at higher doses, but those side-effects are uncommon,” he says. Still, there are other concerns. “Melatonin has an incredible safety record, no doubt about it,” says Dr.
Given that medical settings are among the most nerve-wracking for many of us, the fact that melatonin reduces anxiety during perioperative care suggests it's just as effective for other anxiety-inducing situations: flight anxiety, anxiety before a job interview, general stress at home and work, for example.