FAA and Prozac for Anxiety
 

What is the current FAA thinking on the use of Prozac for pilots who have anxiety? I know someone who is interested in learning how to fly - recreationally and possibly commercially and is currently taking Prozac for Anxiety which has controlled anxiety very well.

Special Issuance

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...tidepressants/

It appears that it is accepted on a case by case basis. I personally don't want anyone in the air or in the cockpit with me that requires the use of any antidepressants.

Think GermanWings 9525

Pest

yes I agree but this person is not being treated for depression. Its for anxiety which I think is completely different; I think. Ill pass on your link thanks

Tons of info on this from ALPA when treatment for depression first became an option. In short, it's the medication, not the reason for the prescription that's limiting. There are 4 medications approved for pilots none of which allow the pilot to fly while being treated.

Thanks AWAX. I did call AOPA (not ALPA) and their comment was "Getting a medical when you are taking Prozac is both daunting and expensive". All of which I passed on to the person who asked.

This is not accurate...

Pilots can return to work on a Special Issuance while taking one of the four approved anti-depressant medications. They are sponsored by a HIMS designated AME and undergo rigorous testing to be able to return to work.

So how does that work for a student pilot with a 3rd class medical? :rolleyes:

Just out of curiosity, what are the four approved anti-depressant medications?

Little known aeromedical fact, there are actually more than four. Here's a partial list:

Beer
Bourbon
Gin
Vodka
Red Wine
Boating / Fishing / Bikinis
Bada-Bing

Great list, and very accurate!

I'd like to add my personal medication to the list.

Long Island Ice tea. It's got a little bit of everything, what could be better?

Yes! Or a Whiskey Sour. When I was in college, I developed a taste for Whiskey Sours, but didn't feel like going through all the work making them myself. So what I did was poured 3/4 a glass with lemonade, and the remaining 1/4 with Wild Turkey 101...it was close enough to the real thing.

I bet you drove your Mom to drinking when you were young.:)

Prozac
Zoloft
Lexapro
Celexa

Thanks for the information.

Glad to help....

Around 25% of the population at any one time is dealing with either a short term or long term form of depression.

Maybe if people didn't constantly think that someone wouldn't want to fly with them just because of that, or be fearful of losing their job more people would get help.

Ignorant statement
 

Just because someone is taking an anti-depressant, doesn't mean they will want to fly an airplane into the side of a mountain. Depression is a complex disease that, in many cases, is easily controlled with medication. Not everyone who has it wants to die. It's unfortunate that people like you don't have a better understanding of the conditions which can be classified as "depression". At the same time, it is fortunate that there are enough people that do have that understanding that allows those people, who are otherwise very good people, to continue to do what they love and provide for their families.

Totally agree

Yeah, much better if they fly around with untreated depression. Or I suppose you think making them permanantly give up thier career is a realistic option.

And not everyone who takes an anti-depressant is taking it for depression. I have a friend, I forget exactly what drug she's taking, who's taking an anti-depressant for a sleep disorder. Also I have an uncle who's a pharmacist that told me he's filled prescriptions for Wellbutrin that doctors prescribed instead of perscribing Chantix due to cost. Just out of curiosity would these uses disqualify a person as the anti-depressants weren't perscribed for depression?

Yeah, but he forgot:

Soi Cowboy
Nana Plaza
Olongapo

;)

Those too!

Also, a magnesium supplement (like Calm) might help.

I have been to the top two and my attitude and general well being was improved as a result. :)

Not necessarily. I take Lexapro for an "off label" indication. I have a special issuance. Still have to follow part of the anti-depressant protocol(yearly cognitive tests...), but don't have to see HIMS AME. ALPA aeromedical was instrumental in re-certification.

Thanks, I was wondering about the off label uses!

Anti depressants are a huge part of the long term recovery process for major concussions as well. I know several pilots who played D-1 college ball with several concussions and took anti depressants as a part of the recovery process and didn't even realize that's what they were taking.
I'm not sure why depression and anxiety have such a stigma but those people fight a battle each day most people can't imagine. I would think a 15 year airline captain with an ego bigger than a Kardashian a$$ who won't change their ways is more dangerous than someone with anxiety. I think the last question for a medical should be, Has your ego ever kept you from making the right decision in a position of leadership? Then we would have a true pilot shortage 😃