FAA Guidance on OTC Medications

[AggieMike88]

For those on PoA who share medical certification information to other airmen, I came across a PDF from the FAA about OTC Medications. Perhaps you’d like to bookmark this resource.

https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/medical_certification/media/OTCMedicationsforPilots.pdf

 

[Greg Bockelman]

Wow, Mike. That is a good resource. I hard copied one and have a digital on my iPad. Thanks for the reference.

 

[MyDimeIsUp]

Looks like this document came from late November of 2019. Good find

 

[flyingron]

Interesting. Some of the information is patently wrong. Acetaminophen isn't an NSAID (it's not anti-inflammatory at all).

 

[wanttaja]

I've been doing some research on an article about accidents caused by impairment or incapacitation. Found this interesting quote in an NTSB accident report:

“The American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine conducted a study…on the effects of diphenhydramine [e.g., Benadryl] on driving performance. Participants had significantly better coherence after taking alcohol... than after taking diphenhydramine...” (FTW01LA168)

In other words, it affects users more strongly than alcohol. Don't know how the doses compared, of course.

Out of 87 homebuilt accidents that included some sort of substance impairment, here's the breakdown:

Ron Wanttaja

 

[p1l0t]

I've been doing some research on an article about accidents caused by impairment or incapacitation. Found this interesting quote in an NTSB accident report:

“The American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine conducted a study…on the effects of diphenhydramine [e.g., Benadryl] on driving performance. Participants had significantly better coherence after taking alcohol... than after taking diphenhydramine...” (FTW01LA168)

In other words, it affects users more strongly than alcohol. Don't know how the doses compared, of course.

Out of 87 homebuilt accidents that included some sort of substance impairment, here's the breakdown:
View attachment 87609
Ron Wanttaja

Crazy part is some people start out right with Prescription Drugs instead working their way up to it counter-clockwise..

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[Bob Noel]

Interesting. Some of the information is patently wrong. Acetaminophen isn't an NSAID (it's not anti-inflammatory at all).

"NSAIDs (non- steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs) and analgesics"

 

[flyingron]

"NSAIDs (non- steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs) and analgesics"

Ah, just lousy formatting, not bad info.

 

[Lycosaurus]

Even though I am not located in the US of A, I refer to this searchable database for guidance:
Medication Database - AMAS
https://www.aviationmedicine.com/medication-database/

 

[denverpilot]

Crazy part is some people start out right with Prescription Drugs instead working their way up to it counter-clockwise..

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Not sure what this means.

I rarely took anything before my major medical issue that went “straight to” prescriptions that were disqualifying for flight.

Disqualifying is disqualifying, and order of putting it in your Piehole really isn’t relevant at all, nor will make anyone healthier or smarter than anybody else.

If a doc says you need a prescription, get a prescription. Complain a little that you’d like to avoid drugs if possible if the doc tends to be a pill pusher, perhaps.

 

[Half Fast]

So is there any guidance for under the counter meds?

 

[EdFred]

Yeah, that's all fine and dandy except when the OTC lists every freaking side effect under the sun because 1 test case out of a million got sleepy. I will continue to take my anti-poops meds after a night of bad mexican food because in all the years I've been taking it, not once have I gotten sleepy. Nyquil on the other hand....

 

[Lycosaurus]

So is there any guidance for under the counter meds?

See my post above. Here's the link: https://www.aviationmedicine.com/medication-database/

I check the database before I allow my doctor or dentist to prescribe me anything.

 

[p1l0t]

Not sure what this means.

I rarely took anything before my major medical issue that went “straight to” prescriptions that were disqualifying for flight.

Disqualifying is disqualifying, and order of putting it in your Piehole really isn’t relevant at all, nor will make anyone healthier or smarter than anybody else.

If a doc says you need a prescription, get a prescription. Complain a little that you’d like to avoid drugs if possible if the doc tends to be a pill pusher, perhaps.

Yeah I always say negative to prescriptions unless it's going to prolong the recovery.

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