Whether medicine is prescribed by a doctor or is an over-the-counter medication that you have selected, as a pilot you must consider the effect it will have on your performance.
When you are given a prescription, your doctor explains the possible side-effects of the medication you are about to take. Your pharmacist also outlines them when filling the prescription.
However, when you treat yourself with a non-prescription medication, you become your own doctor and pharmacist. Therefore, you must inform yourself of the possible adverse reactions that you might encounter. The following will help you understand some of the basics that you will need to successfully accomplish this task.
OTCs Defined
Over-the-counter medications (OTCs) are any legal, non-prescription substance taken for the relief of discomforting symptoms. This may include capsules, tablets, powders, or liquids.
Underlying Medical Condition
When you are not feeling well, your best action is to ground yourself and wait until you have recovered before resuming your pilot duties. There may be times, however, when you feel that you must fly and will be tempted to doctor yourself with OTCs. At these times it is good to remember that the OTCs only hide your symptoms for a while. They do not usually "cure" the condition, and you will not be at peak physical performance while you fly.
Problems With Medications
There are two main areas of concern about unwanted reactions to medications.
Possible allergy.
Allergy is a rare and unpredictable reaction to a substance. If you know that you are allergic to something, you should carefully read the list of ingredients of any OTC to assure that none of the substance is included in its formulation.
Possible unexpected side-effects.
These can take many forms, including drowsiness, impairment of judgment, upset stomach or bowels, disturbance of vision, or even itching. Any of these could cause an impairment that might lead to incapacitation while flying.
Decongestants and caffeine (contained in coffee, tea, cola, chocolate) are both strong stimulants in some individuals. Mixed together, they can make you "hyperactive." Note also that some cough syrups contain a decongestant.
Summary Advice
- READ and follow label directions for use of medication.
- If the label warns of side-effects, do not fly until twice the recommended dosing interval has passed. So, if the label says "take every 4-6 hours," then wait at least 12 hours to fly.
- Remember, the condition you are treating may be as disqualifying as the medication.
- When in doubt, ask your physician or Aviation Medical Examiner for advice.
- As a pilot, you are responsible for your own personal "pre-flight." Be wary of any illness that requires medicine to make you feel better.
- If an illness is serious enough to require medication, it is also serious enough to prevent you from flying.
- Do not fly if you have a cold - changes in atmospheric pressures with changes in altitude could cause serious ear and sinus problems.
- Avoid mixing decongestants and caffeine.
- Beware of medications that use alcohol as a base for the ingredients.
Medications Side-Effects Interactions
PAIN RELIEF/ ASPIRIN Ringing in ears, Increase effect
FEVER Alka-Seltzer nausea, stomach of blood thinners
Bayer Aspirin ulceration,
hyperventillation
ACETAMINOPHEN Liver toxicity (in
Tylenol large doses)
IBUPROFEN Increase effect
Advil Upset stomach; of blood thinners
Motrin dizziness, rash,
Nuprin itching
COLDS/ ANTIHISTAMINES Sedation, Increase sedative
FLU Actifed Dristan dizziness, rash, effects of other
Benadryl Dixoral impairment of medications
Cheracol-Plus coordination,
Nyquil upset stomach,
Chlortrimeton thickening of
Sinarest bronchial
Contac Sinutab secretions,
Dimetapp blurring of vision
DECONGESTANTS Excessive Aggravate high
Afrin Nasal Spray stimulation blood pressure,
Sine-Aid dizziness, heart disease,
Sudafed difficulty with and prostate
urination, problems
palpitations
COUGH Drowsiness, Increase sedative
SUPPRESSANTS blurred vision, effects of other
Benylin difficulty with medications
Robitussin CF/DM urination,
Vicks Formula 44 upset stomach
BOWEL LAXATIVES Unexpected bowel
PREPARATIONS Correctol activity at
Ex-Lax altitude, rectal
itching
ANTI-DIARRHEALS Drowsiness,
Imodium A-D depression,
Pepto-Bismol blurred vision
(See Aspirin)
APPETITE Acutrim Excessive Increased
SUPPRESSANTS Dexatrim stimulation, stimulatory
dizziness, effects of
palpitations, decongestants.
headaches Interfere with
high blood
pressure
medications
SLEEPING Nytol (Contain Cause excessive
AIDS Somined antihistamine) drowsiness when
Prolonged used with alcohol
drowsiness,
blurred vision
STIMULANTS CAFFEINE Excessive Interfere with
Coffee, tea, stimulation, high blood
cola, tremors, pressure
chocolate palpitations, medications.
headache
This table lists the common OTCs and outlines some of their possible side-effects that could affect your flying abilities. As with all drugs, side-effects may vary with the individual and with changes in altitude and other flight conditions.
MEDICAL FACTS FOR PILOTS
- Publication AM-400-92/1
Written by: Stephen Carpenter, MD
- Prepared by: Federal Aviation Administration
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Aeromedical Education Division, AAM-400
Oklahoma City, OK 73125
The Civil Aerospace Medical Institute is the medical certification, research, education, and occupational health wing of the FAA's Office of Aviation Medicine. Our overall mission is aviation safety.
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