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).

What are disqualifying medical conditions for pilots?

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.

What medications are pilots allowed to take?

NSAIDs (non- steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs) and analgesics acetaminophen (Tylenol) aspirin (Bayer's) ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) naproxen (Naprosyn) Advil PM, Tylenol PM (Most “PM” medications contain diphenhydramine) Most OTC pain meds are safe to fly as long as the underlying condition is acceptable.

Can pilots be on antidepressants?

But allowing pilots who take antidepressants to legally fly an airplane comes with strings attached. Under the new rules, pilots will be restricted to one of four FAA-approved antidepressants -- Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa and Lexapro -- and required to see a psychiatrist every six months.

Can a pilot be on anxiety meds?

Since 2010, the FAA has relaxed some of its requirements allowing pilots to use certain SSRIs under the issuance of a medical waiver (FAA, 2010). Currently, the FAA approves four SSRI medications for pilot use: (1) Lexapro; (2) Prozac; (3) Celexa; and (4) Zoloft (FAA, 2017a).

Common Reasons for Medical Denials

Can you take Adderall and be a pilot?

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

Can pilots be on medication?

*The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration does not publish a comprehensive list of “approved” medications for pilots. However, FAR 61.53, 67.113, 67.213, 67.313 and 91.17 preclude flying while having a condition or taking a medication that might affect flight safety.

Can pilots take ADHD meds?

Most medications used to treat ADHD are disqualifying (stimulants and non-stimulant Strattera). Requires a 90-day period of taking no medication before evaluation. The FAA requires its own extensive evaluation for ADHD.

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 become a pilot with mental health issues?

Applicants with an organic mental disorder should be assessed as unfit. Once the cause has been treated, an applicant may be assessed as fit following satisfactory psychiatric evaluation. Applicants who use psychoactive medication likely to affect flight safety should be assessed as unfit.

Can pilots take antidepressants 2021?

The FAA allows a pilot's use of these medications on a case-by-case basis and requires a special issuance medical certificate. If the pilot continues to take the SSRI, they would have to go through additional examinations to maintain their flight status, Ison says.

What drugs does the FAA test for?

This requires testing for five commonly abused drugs: Marijuana, Cocaine, Opiates, Amphetamines, Phencyclidine (PCP). Most companies have their own alcohol and drug policies, and these matters are the subject of national legislation and international regulation.

Can pilots take antidepressants 2022?

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).

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 diabetics be pilots?

Through its special issuance procedures however, pilots with diabetes who use insulin have been able to apply for a third-class medical certificate since 1996. This means that pilots are eligible to perform private and recreational operations, fly as a student pilot, flight instructor and as a sport pilot.

What does the FAA consider high blood pressure?

Although your blood pressure may meet the FAA-ac- ceptable level of 155/95 or below, levels consistently above 140/90 should be of concern.

Can people with depression become pilots?

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 I be a pilot with bipolar?

All applicants with a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder must be denied or deferred.

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.

Why can't you be a pilot if you have ADHD?

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.

Can you be a private pilot if you have ADHD?

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).

Can I be a pilot with glasses?

The answer is YES – you can wear glasses and be an airline pilot! Perfect uncorrected vision is not a requirement to be a pilot or an air traffic controller. Glasses, contact lenses and refractive surgery are all (with certain limitations) acceptable ways to correct visual acuity problems.

Can you take melatonin as a pilot?

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.

Does FAA medical test for drugs?

The routine FAA medical examination does not test for alcohol use and it does not include a blood test. The urine test, which is performed by Aviation Medical Examiner's, is a screening test for diabetes and kidney disease and normally does not include a drug test.

Can pilots take Benadryl?

Preventive Medication – Over-the Counter Antihistamines

Very few OTC antihistamines are authorized by the FAA for pilots when flying, if they have previously tested the medication and do not have any side effects.