APPROVED !! Effective April 4, 2010
More details will be forthcoming to all AMEs in the first week of April 2010
ANTI-DEPRESSANTS AND FLYING
It seems like anti-depressants (Prozac, Paxil, Elavil, etc.) have been around for ages and they are being used for almost anything from true depression to itchy toes. There are many different prescriptions issued by practitioners for stress, premenstrual tension, anti-smoking programs, anxiety, worries, etc. The vast majority of these medications are taken without any significant side effects.
The FAA looks at medications in two aspects: (1) the REASON WHY they are prescribed, and (2) the potential SIDE EFFECTS. Specifically with this type of medication, the effects on cognition, memory, alertness, i.e., side effects that would impair flight safety, to name a few.
Because of the wide spread use of antidepressants and the
documented safety of most of them, the medical flying world has done a huge
amount of research on their use and participation in flight. Under strictly
controlled studies, aviation personnel have taken Zoloft™ or Welbutrin™ with no
apparent reduction in cognitive abilities or drowsiness.
The official word is out that four of the commonly used antidepressants will be approvable. Those are Paxil, Celexa, Zoloft, and Lexapro. Of
course, these approvals will have lots of "strings" attached including the
requirement for regular evaluations and reports, probably on a 6 to 12 month
interval, with the prescribing psychiatrist and approval by the FAA Chief
Psychiatrist. The useage will be considered after 12 months of stable use and will require at least annual psychiatric visits and reports. The AME must be HIMS III certified (Dr. Terrell is) and will follow on the same plan as the HIMS III program.
I will add the complete protocol to this page when I receive it. (Doc)
I understand other country's aeromedical departments have had satisfactory studies also. This information is largely my personal gleanings from conversations at aviation medical examiner’s meetings and does not necessarily represent FAA plans or exactly what will eventually “hit the street” so to speak.
PwT(04/03//2010)