prozac

[RFC1873]

Five years ago when I was 16 I was prescribed Prozac. I was only on the drug for a couple of months and I was never offically diagnosed with anything. I am planning on getting my medical next month and I was wondering if this is something that I need to tell the examiner. Thank you.

[themctm]

I would say definetly not! Thats just me though. I had a buddy when he was getting ready to solo check off that he got headaches (everyone does at one point in there life right?) and it took him over six months to get a medical.
I'm just saying, be careful to what you answer.

[My Flight Surgeon]

You should report the drug. The AME will review what you tell him/her and make a notation in Block 60 about the brief use, the situation, the lack of current symptoms and no use for more than 6 months - that is all you need. They don't even need to send anything to the FAA about it other than the notation on the 8500-8.

[RFC1873]

Originally Posted by My Flight Surgeon

You should report the drug. The AME will review what you tell him/her and make a notation in Block 60 about the brief use, the situation, the lack of current symptoms and no use for more than 6 months - that is all you need. They don't even need to send anything to the FAA about it other than the notation on the 8500-8.

How long will this process take? Thanks.

[My Flight Surgeon]

If the AME is comfortable with the history and documentation you take in, he/she can issue your certificate on the spot. In our office the whole process (in the door to out the door) takes no more than 20 minutes (unless you gossip with Patty too long).

[RFC1873]

Thank you, I appreciate the help. So with regard to the prozac you dont see any way that I wouldnt be issued a certificate?

[My Flight Surgeon]

From what you have told us here, I see no problem. (Disclaimer:If there is other history you have not revealed that could alter things.)

[RFC1873]

Well there was the heroin addiction but I didn't think that was important.

[My Flight Surgeon]

Right. That wil get you grounded. That is like saying BOMB around TSA.

[MBA06]

I heard that AOPA is requesting the FAA to change its policies regarding SSRIs. Have you heard anything about this? I am considering some alternative meds since I miss flying but am also much healthier on my new meds.

[My Flight Surgeon]

They have made the request but the Federal Air Surgeon has not made any change in policy. Don't hold your breath for a change in the near future.

[jawright]

Originally Posted by My Flight Surgeon

They have made the request but the Federal Air Surgeon has not made any change in policy. Don't hold your breath for a change in the near future.

Maybe it's just me, but it seems like one would fly better when they aren't distracted by depression or something.... Why is this policy as it is?

[My Flight Surgeon]

There are three issues with depression. The first is the loss of ability to concentrate - this increases the risk of accidents. The second is the increased risk of suicide - this can even be exacerbated by the use of SSRI's (they all have a BLACK BOX warning for this side effect). Third, the side effects of the SSRI's. The advrese effects are frequently exacerbates by a decreased oxygen tension (altitude). SSRIs: Side effects and interactions. Although SSRIs have been more effective and better tolerated than medications used previously to treat depression, they too can produce substantial incapacitating side effects. Clinical evaluations of patients recently started on SSRIs show 29.1% with nausea, 22.4% with insomnia, and 13% with dizziness. Patients with underlying anxiety disorders or bipolar disease may have increasing symptoms of anxiety or mania. SSRI-treated patients have been reported with akathisia (restlessness, pacing, purposeless leg movements). Sexual dysfunction affects 34% of patients, which may adversely affect marital relationships and, therefore, the patient’s subjective mood. SSRIs have been reported to cause symptomatic reactions with many substances and medications, primarily due to competition for isoenzymes of the cytochrome P450 system during metabolism. Use of SSRIs may lead to markedly increased caffeine levels, possible leading to caffeine intoxication, insomnia, and anxiety. Patients drinking alcohol while taking SSRIs may experience unintended and prolonged ethanol effects. Drinking pink grapefruit juice may raise SSRI levels significantly. Use of cough syrup while on these medications may lead to toxic levels of dextromethorphan, characterized by visual hallucinations, tremors, and confu#sion. Interactions similar to these have been reported with erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, isoniazid, narcotic analge#sics, hypnotic medications, beta-blockers, St. John’s wort, L-tryptophan, Gingko biloba, and even cigarette smoke.
Patients who stop taking SSRI medi#cations may experience flu-like serotonin-discontinuance syndrome; symptoms may include dizziness, vertigo, headaches, con#fusion, memory difficulties, fatigue, and others. Symptoms may begin 12-72 hours after discontinuing short-acting SSRIs but up to 2-3 weeks after stopping fluoxetine; symptoms usually resolve spontaneously within 1-3 weeks.
Medical response to SSRIs and devel#opment of side effects and interactions are highly individualized, and difficult to predict from one patient to the next. Because of this, standards regarding the use of these medications for flight crews must be extremely conservative to err on the side of safety.
Aeromedical Issues. Current FAA regu#lations prohibit flying while taking psy#chotropic medications, including SSRIs. Banning SSRIs for flight crews, however, is not the total answer in helping aviators with depression while preventing unneces#sary flight risk. Although airmen may not fly while depressed, or while taking medication for depression, they may be reassured that their flying days are not necessarily over. Many cases of diagnosed depression fall more appropriately into the classification of adjustment disorder, mood disorders that develop in response to specific stressors, such as marital dysfunction or loss of a job. With appropriate psycho#therapy and/or time-limited use of SSRIs, patients’ symptoms of depressed mood may abate as the specific stressful condi#tions resolve. If an airman had used SSRIs for less than six months, has been off of SSRIs for at least three months, and has had no recurrence of symptoms of depression, he or she may be reconsidered for medical certification.