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What is correct with regard to prescription medication and flying?

1.Medication may be required due to a disqualifying medical condition.
2.Conditions in flight may alter the body’s reaction to medication.
3.Flying under medication is prohibited by law.
4.Effects of medication may continue for some time after the intake is stopped.

  • A
    1, 2 and 3 are correct.
  • B
    1 and 3 are correct.
  • C
    2 and 4 are correct.
  • D
    1, 2 and 4 are correct.

Any medication can cause side effects, some of which may impair the safe performance of performing aviation safety related duties. Equally, symptoms of colds, sore throats, diarrhoea and other abdominal upsets may cause little or no problem whilst on the ground but may distract the pilot or cabin crew member and degrade their performance whilst on duty. The in-flight environment may also increase the severity of symptoms which may only be minor whilst on the ground. Therefore, one issue with medication and performing aviation safety related duties is the underlying condition and, in addition, the symptoms may be compounded by the side effects of the medication prescribed or bought over the counter for treatment.

The pilot is responsible to make sure that self medication has no adverse effect on a his/her ability to perform his/her duties safely. Before taking any medication and acting as a pilot or cabin crew member, the following three basic questions should be satisfactorily answered:

(1) Do I feel fit to fly?
(2) Do I really need to take medication at all?
(3) Have I given this particular medication a personal trial on the ground to ensure that it will not have any adverse effects on my ability to fly?
"2. Conditions in flight may alter the body’s reaction to medication." CORRECT. The lower partial pressure of oxygen, along with the low humidity in an aircraft cabin (increase in water loss), have effects on the body metabolism. Therefore, medication may, for instance, be metabolised slower and accumulate in the blood, causing more severe side effects than on the ground.

"Flying under medication is prohibited by law." INCORRECT. Flying under medication, such as sedatives or antidepressants, may be completely prohibited by law but this is not a general rules and there are many medicines which can be taken by flight crew.

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