Can you be a pilot on anxiety medication?

Pilots are forbidden from using narcotics, medication for seizures, anxiety conditions and stimulants, according to an FAA spokeswoman. They're also barred flying after taking over-the-counter medication that might make them drowsy, such as Benadryl or NyQuil.

What medications disqualify you from being a pilot?

Narcotic pain relievers.

This includes but is not limited to morphine, codeine, oxycodone (Percodan; Oxycontin), and hydrocodone (Vicodin, etc.). Non-narcotic pain relievers such as tramadol (Ultram).

Do antidepressants disqualify you from being a pilot?

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).

Can you be a pilot with mental health issues?

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.

Can you take SSRI and be a pilot?

The FAA has determined that airmen or FAA Air Traffic Control Specialists (FAA ATCS) requesting medical certificates while being treated with one of four specific selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be considered. The Authorization decision is made on a case-by-case basis.

Mental Health of Pilots

Does anxiety disqualify you from being a pilot?

To fly, pilots must have a medical certificate approved by an FAA aviation medical examiner (AME). Under the current guidelines, depression, anxiety, and similarly categorized psychological conditions don't lead to automatic disqualification.

Can you fly with antidepressants?

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.

Can you be a pilot with panic attacks?

The FAA will consider certification of pilots and controllers who have been diagnosed with depression or anxiety and treated with medication after certain conditions are met.

Can you fly with depression?

The good news is that the FAA is willing to return virtually all clinically depressed pilots back to flying after successful treatment. If depression seems likely or even if you are just not enjoying your life as you used to, seek out a therapist whom you like and develop a therapeutic alliance.

Are pilots allowed to take Adderall?

Commonly-prescribed Disqualifying ADHD Meds you cannot take if you want to fly: Adderall. Concerta. Ritalin.

What antidepressants does the FAA allow?

Four of the SSRI medications have been acceptable to the FAA since April 2010, Prozac (fluoxetine); Zoloft (sertraline); Celexa (citalopram); and Lexapro (escitalopram). There are two pathways that airmen can take to gain medical certification when they have had a bout with depression.

Can I bring Zoloft on a plane?

Carry all of your medication — even vitamins and supplements — in their original, clearly marked containers or packaging in a clear plastic bag in carry on luggage. Make sure the name on the prescription, the medicine container and your passport (or one for the recepient of the medication) all match.

What disqualifies you from a FAA medical exam?

These medical conditions include a personality disorder manifested by overt acts, a psychosis, alcoholism, drug dependence, epilepsy, an unexplained disturbance of consciousness, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and diabetes requiring medication for its control.

Does the FAA allow Xanax?

FAA is interested in both the condition and the drug and great care needs to be taken when starting a new medication. In fact Alprazolam or XANAX is an unacceptable medication under all situations because it has sedative effects.

Can I be a pilot if I have ADHD?

Basic FAA Highlights on ADHD and Piloting

ADHD itself is not a disqualifying condition. The FAA acknowledges that sometimes that the ADHD diagnosis in the past was in error. If you have a formal diagnosis of ADD or ADHD, you may need to undergo additional testing in order to receive a medical certificate.

Is being a pilot depressing?

The research was a systematic review of 20 prior studies related to depression, suicide, substance abuse, and fatigue in commercial pilots. The researchers found that the prevalence of depression in pilots ranged from 1.9 to 12.6%, while the prevalence of suicidal ideation was around 4%.

Can military pilots take antidepressants?

For military pilots, it can be a career-ender. Air Force pilots and navigators diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) are taken off flight status, and pilots on flying duty aren't allowed to use common antidepressants like Zoloft and Prozac, even when effective, for fear of possible side-effects.

Can someone with PTSD become a pilot?

A history of PTSD that was successfully treated in the past and no longer requires ongoing treatment is probably eligible for medical certification after FAA review.

How do you overcome pilot anxiety?

Can pilots take beta blockers?

If you need medication to keep your blood pressure within acceptable limits, rest easy knowing that the FAA currently allows most FDA-approved anti-hypertension agents, including diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta blockers, calcium channel blocking agents, direct vasodilators, or ...

Does TSA check your pills?

Since your pills will go through the standard x-ray screening process, it is possible that a TSA officer may ask you about them, especially if they are considered controlled substances. Keeping a detailed list of your medications on your smartphone or in a pocketbook is the best way to know exactly what you have.

What medical conditions prevent you from flying?

This includes those with cardiac failure, recent myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke, angina (chest pain) at rest, heart rate or rhythm disorders, uncontrolled arterial hypertension, severe anemia, sickle-cell anemia, acute mental disorders, epilepsy, and any serious or contagious diseases.

What happens if a pilot fails a medical exam?

If pilot's clearly do not meet FAA medical standards, particularly if they have conditions that are specifically grounding in Part 67 of the FARs or the Guide to Aviation Medical Examiners, the aviation medical examiner may issue a denial letter to the pilot revoking the pilot's current medical privileges.

Can you be a pilot if you have done drugs?

Pilots are not necessarily prohibited from flying after using prescribed controlled substances, only from flying after recent use. Some 3.8% of deceased pilots tested positive for illicit drugs from 2008-2012, up from 2.3% in 1990-1997, the report said. Marijuana was the most commonly identified illicit drug.