TurboDog

How long must you wait after taking Nyquil before flying? I am really congested right now and I am wondering what I can take that won't keep me up all night. Pseudephedrine will keep you awake so I don't want to take that.

Pilotpip

Don't fly sick. Call in, medicate, get better. The rest of your crew will thank you.

I made the mistake of flying with a sinus infection once. Had the joy of flying two legs with a deferred pressurization controller. I was in such pain by the middle of leg two that I was close to incapacitated.

__________________
Frank was RIGHT!

TurboDog

Yeah, I did that in an unpressurized before and will never do it again. Actually had an ear not equalize pressure for 2 weeks. Swole shut, so I hear ya.

rickair7777

I would also suggest calling in sick.

How long you have to wait after taking nyquil (or anything else) depends on the ingredients. For some drugs (like pseudephedrine) you can fly while taking it, but you must observe a waiting period when you take it for the very first time to see if you have any side effects.

The FAA does not publicize their list of medicines because they want you to call your AME for every little thing. Other folks have published lists of medecines based on their knowledge of FAA procedures, which many folks use without seeming to get in trouble.

This website discusses various medications: http://www.aviationmedicine.com/


Do your OWN research, don't trust what a flight attendant or anyone on the internet tells you. If in doubt, call your AME.

Free Flyer

Bang in sick, it's the only smart thing to do. I was an idiot once and got into the high altitude chamber at Wright Patt with what I thought was a runny nose. What I ended up with was a bloody nose from tearing my sinus wall. Don't do what I did.