The FAA GA
Joint Steering Committee Safety Enhancement Topic of the Month
FLIGHT AFTER USE OF
MEDICATIONS WITH SEDATING EFFECTS
To cope with sneezing and congestion,
many people turn to over-the-counter medications and allergy remedies. Though
effective, these are not without side effects.
They are great for treating allergies,
colds, coughs, and even motion sickness. But they also have a function that can
be especially troubling for those of us in aviation - they act as a sedative.
Side effects can include dry mouth,
nose, and throat; drowsiness; dizziness; nausea; vomiting; loss of appetite; headache; muscle weakness; nervousness.
While it’s unlikely you will experience
all of these side effects, even one or two can have a negative effect on your
ability to fly safely.
Another problem with such drugs is that
some people who take them often subjectively report that they feel
“perfectly fine.”
However, performance tests show that these same people are just as
incapacitated as if they were intoxicated from alcohol. So if you feel the need to take an allergy or cold
medication, consider whether you should be flying at all.
It is your responsibility as a pilot to
ensure that you meet all applicable medical standards before any flight. No one expects
you to be as skilled as an aviation medical examiner in determining your exact
medical status, but you know your own body. You are therefore expected to be
honest with yourself when it comes to assessing whether you are fit to operate
an aircraft.
Using the personal readiness IM SAFE checklist prior to
every flight is a good way to ensure that you
are physically and mentally safe
to fly:
I Illness (are you feeling any symptoms?)
M Medication (have you
checked for side effects?)
S Stress (are you up-tight for any reason?)
A Alcohol/Drugs (are you clear of the effects
from either?)
F Fatigue (are you well-rested?)
E Eating (are you maintaining your blood-sugar
level?)
Pilot Tip:If you do use a
medication with sedating effects, and your symptoms have been resolved, do not fly
until at least 5 maximum dosing intervals have passed. For example, if the directions
say to take a medication every 4 to 6 hours, wait at least 30 hours (5 x 6 hours) after the last dose before piloting an
aircraft.
