Diphenhydramine (sleep aid)

[Doug Taylor]

Hey Walt!

A couple questions. Is diphenhydramine approved for use for aviators and if so, what are your thoughts on occasional usage?

Might be a better option that imbibing acetaminophen along with diphenhydramine when you're only looking for a sleep aid.

[desertdog71]

Instead of Tylenol PM.

[Hootie]

Doug, I figured you had to be already taking something pretty frequently with all the time zone traveling that you do.

I use diphenhydramine pretty much twice a week (25mg-50mg per time). If I have to get up at 5am I have a hard time going to bed at 9pm the night prior so I take a pill about an hour before I plan on sacking out and I think it works pretty well. Just make sure you have enough time to get 8 hours sleep or else it will make you pretty groggy.

[BajtheJino]

Doxylamine Succinate and Diphenhydramin make me feel like the devil the next day. No matter how small a dose I take I'll have a foggy hangover the next day. Guess I should stick with the booze.

[Cruise]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

Hey Walt!

A couple questions. Is diphenhydramine approved for use for aviators and if so, what are your thoughts on occasional usage?

Might be a better option that imbibing acetaminophen along with diphenhydramine when you're only looking for a sleep aid.

I was under the impression that diphenhydramine was NOT approved for use w/in 24 hrs.

I'd can't wait to hear the Doc's thoughts on this....as I generally have a difficult time shutting down on overnights and am looking for something that IS APPROVED. I know about melatonin (is this a Rx or OTC) and how/ where do I get it. Or, is there something better???

[Minuteman]

AOPA's database says "NOT ALLOWED" (but doesn't offer any explanation)

[My Flight Surgeon]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

Hey Walt!

A couple questions. Is diphenhydramine approved for use for aviators and if so, what are your thoughts on occasional usage?

Might be a better option that imbibing acetaminophen along with diphenhydramine when you're only looking for a sleep aid.

It is generally not allowed. The problem is a degredation in function - like being drunk. It also has a relatively long half-life.

If you use it for sleep 2 times a week or less and wait 24 hours it can be OK. A better bet for someone like you is to use Sonata (also not allowed officially but if use by long-haul air crews can be used if you wait 12 hours after use and use it 2 or fewer times a week. This is a prescription medication. At the flight physical, the AME must make a note that it is for long-haul pilots and used 2 or fewer times a week plus there is a 12 hour window from taking the medication to flying.

[Cptnchia]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

Hey Walt!

A couple questions. Is diphenhydramine approved for use for aviators and if so, what are your thoughts on occasional usage?

Might be a better option that imbibing acetaminophen along with diphenhydramine when you're only looking for a sleep aid.

Go to a health food store and get yourself some melatonin. Costco also carries it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin

[LoadMasterC141]

Doug, is it required to learn about circadian rhythm and how to manage it as a continent hopper? We spent a good deal of time on this subject during aerospace physiology recurrent in the AF. It really helped.

All the travelling I did, only once did I really get a bad dose of insomnia. But then again, Loadmasters do alot of pillow gnawing during the flight, so they can be wide awake for the party when the pilots get them there.