Approved migrain medications?

Dave_Hall · July 15th, 2004, 21:00

What are they. A few years back I was told I had migraines, and have been on propanaol for about 2 years, which I know is not on the approved list. I'm not sure if I even have them any more, if I've grown out of them, or if the medicine is just working. Any, Im going to my doctor tomorow to ask about either changing my prescription or taking me off the medicine. Any help?

AirborneMedic_ANGa10 · July 15th, 2004, 22:54

Propranolol is an FAA "approved" medication. Your AME has to do a hypertension evaluation though. Imitrex, Axert, Maxalt, and Zomig are approved for migraine treatment as well. The big, bad tranquilizing cocktails like Midrin are not approved. The problem is, those drugs approved specifically for migraines work by constricting blood vessels, which may not right for you if you have systemic hypertension. The fact that you're on Propranolol tells me that you might. In addition, you'd be moving from a preventive drug, to an interventional/migraine arresting type drug. If you don't have hypertension, I'd recommend talking to your physician about trying to not take anything for a while. You may never have another migraine, or you might have one in 3 days. Whatever you decide to do, just be mentally prepared that your medical may get hung up for a while in Oke City. Join AOPA if you haven't already (they can be great advocates for Joe Bob Pilot)!

Their medical people can definitely help your medical process go smoother. Good luck!

Dave_Hall · July 16th, 2004, 20:13

Went to the doc today and she said I could go from 10mg to 5mg of propanalol a day for a few weeks and see how it goes. After that if all's well I can stop taking it. I'm barely on it at all, she said that people who take it for hypertension usually take about 160mg a day. I'll be 16 in October, so trying to get this straightend out soon. If I go off the migraine stuff completely, what, if anything, do I need to provide/tell my AME?
Thanks for the help.

AirborneMedic_ANGa10 · July 16th, 2004, 20:55

Well, technically you have to tell the AME about anything/everything. The AME I've used actually got upset with me for telling him too much. Basically, your medical will require more legwork if you have to answer 'yes' to any of the more serious conditions. If you can get off of propranolol completely, that would make things a lot easier. Then your AME can say that you've had migraines in the past, and that you're now 'normal' without meds. If you need to stay on meds, that's fine too...you'll just have to prove that your migraines are under control, and that your meds don't cause any bad side effects. Try to find a reputable AME by asking around. Good luck!

Dave_Hall · July 16th, 2004, 22:44

Thanks for the info. A friend's dad who I've known for a while does them, I've asked some of the instructors at my school and he's just as good as the next guy.

ZUM · July 19th, 2004, 07:53

Speaking of Migraines, would having this condition and taking "approved" migraine medications prevent someone from obtaining a first class medical?

Dave, have you had issues with obtaining a medical?

Dave_Hall · July 22nd, 2004, 11:18

I haven't gone to get my medical yet, schdedualed for early august. I'll let you know if I have any trouble

July 15th, 2004, 21:00	#1
Dave_Hall Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 55	Approved migrain medications? What are they. A few years back I was told I had migraines, and have been on propanaol for about 2 years, which I know is not on the approved list. I'm not sure if I even have them any more, if I've grown out of them, or if the medicine is just working. Any, Im going to my doctor tomorow to ask about either changing my prescription or taking me off the medicine. Any help?

July 15th, 2004, 22:54	#2
AirborneMedic_ANGa10 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: DFW Posts: 213	Re: Approved migrain medications? Propranolol is an FAA "approved" medication. Your AME has to do a hypertension evaluation though. Imitrex, Axert, Maxalt, and Zomig are approved for migraine treatment as well. The big, bad tranquilizing cocktails like Midrin are not approved. The problem is, those drugs approved specifically for migraines work by constricting blood vessels, which may not right for you if you have systemic hypertension. The fact that you're on Propranolol tells me that you might. In addition, you'd be moving from a preventive drug, to an interventional/migraine arresting type drug. If you don't have hypertension, I'd recommend talking to your physician about trying to not take anything for a while. You may never have another migraine, or you might have one in 3 days. Whatever you decide to do, just be mentally prepared that your medical may get hung up for a while in Oke City. Join AOPA if you haven't already (they can be great advocates for Joe Bob Pilot)! Their medical people can definitely help your medical process go smoother. Good luck!

July 16th, 2004, 20:13	#3
Dave_Hall Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 55	Re: Approved migrain medications? Went to the doc today and she said I could go from 10mg to 5mg of propanalol a day for a few weeks and see how it goes. After that if all's well I can stop taking it. I'm barely on it at all, she said that people who take it for hypertension usually take about 160mg a day. I'll be 16 in October, so trying to get this straightend out soon. If I go off the migraine stuff completely, what, if anything, do I need to provide/tell my AME? Thanks for the help.

July 16th, 2004, 20:55	#4
AirborneMedic_ANGa10 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: DFW Posts: 213	Re: Approved migrain medications? Well, technically you have to tell the AME about anything/everything. The AME I've used actually got upset with me for telling him too much. Basically, your medical will require more legwork if you have to answer 'yes' to any of the more serious conditions. If you can get off of propranolol completely, that would make things a lot easier. Then your AME can say that you've had migraines in the past, and that you're now 'normal' without meds. If you need to stay on meds, that's fine too...you'll just have to prove that your migraines are under control, and that your meds don't cause any bad side effects. Try to find a reputable AME by asking around. Good luck!

July 16th, 2004, 22:44	#5
Dave_Hall Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 55	Re: Approved migrain medications? Thanks for the info. A friend's dad who I've known for a while does them, I've asked some of the instructors at my school and he's just as good as the next guy.

July 19th, 2004, 07:53	#6
ZUM Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Philly, PA Posts: 95	Re: Approved migrain medications? Speaking of Migraines, would having this condition and taking "approved" migraine medications prevent someone from obtaining a first class medical? Dave, have you had issues with obtaining a medical?

July 22nd, 2004, 11:18	#7
Dave_Hall Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 55	Re: Approved migrain medications? I haven't gone to get my medical yet, schdedualed for early august. I'll let you know if I have any trouble

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