MikeB

I'm a university student, working on my commercial license in conjunction with my B.S. A few months ago I was diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and possible borderline/mild asthma.

I was prescribed three nonsedating medications that have not produced any side effects and give me full relief from my symptoms. However, I'm concerned that I may have made a mistake in not reporting that I was taking meds to the FAA . . . I was under the impression that I was not obligated to do so under these circumstances, though I would have to report this at my next physical.

I've been training under a Class 2 physical and I'm scheduled to renew that with an AME in a couple of days. My question is this: did I make a mistake in not contacting the FAA to report that I was taking meds? If so, what's the best approach with the AME?

Thanks in advance.

Dog Breath

I can't answer your question directly, but here's a good resource to get you started.

Virtual Flight Surgeons Inc. -- Your One Source for FAA Medical Certification Waiver Assistance!

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ugleeual

asthma bad... sure its not allergies? Be careful what your doc puts in your records... could impact your future.

BrandedPilot

If you can live through the appointment, I would recommend you not discuss it. "Nope" was too short of an answer.

For serious medical issues, always see a non FAA doctor.

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Pontius Pilot

Every pilot has (or should have) two doctors.

One you go to for your medical.

The other one you tell your real medical problems to.

I'd keep it quiet. Its not affecting you in any way - then there's no reason to open a huge can of worms that you may not be able to close once it's open.

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Sideshow Bob

Technically you are supposed to report ALL meds you are taking, but you aren't supposed to speed either. The only time it would/could be an issue is if you bend/scratch an airplane and the attending fed wants a blood test. The primary drug screen (accompanied by a breath test for booze) will not catch most prescription/OTC drugs. For airline types if you bend an airplane they do a much more comprehensive (and expensive) test that will catch everything imaginable...then you may be hosed. For example, many of us international types use Ambien (only to adjust to jetlag after a trip of course as it's technically illegal to use it on the road). If they find it in your blood and you don't have a prescription for it, the FDC may have a beef. Even if you do and it remains in the blood (Ambien is undetectable in 24 hours or so even with the hyper-test), the fed may label it a "causal effect" and hammer you for it. Long story longer, it would only be an issue if you bend an airplane and you didn't admit to using it. Clear as mud?

Box Office

I was told (by a line check pilot actually) that Ambien is okay to use while on trips. Is that bad gouge?

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This ain't no cockpit boys....

Slice

This was published in 2004:

Ambien (zolpidem): The following policy statement appeared in the Federal Air Surgeon’s Medical Bulletin, Fall 2003, Vol. 41, No. 3: the FAA Aeromedical Certification Division "has allowed the use of this sedative providing the airman is not taking it more than twice a week. It cannot be used for circadian adjustment. An airman should not operate an aircraft for 24 hours after taking Ambien."

Recurring prescriptions for any sedatives must be reported on your FAA medical applications. Your AME may opt to defer issuance of your certificate unless you can clearly document that you meet the above restrictions for Ambien use. We recommend that you discuss this with your AME before your FAA medical exam, and if the AME is inclined to defer, then you should contact us at the ALPA Aeromedical Office.

Medications and Flying--An FAA Policy Update

I wouldn't trust drug 'gouge' from anyone. Ask an AME.

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earthy pilot

Honesty is the best policy.

Nightsky

The asthma part is what I'd be most concerned about. It would be hard to hide a lifetime of asthma meds from the FAA. Just think - more and more, everything is in a database somewhere, and more and more that data is becoming accessible to the gov't. It may be easy to hide now, but in 10 years? Who knows.