FAA Accepted Medications
Updated 12/12/12FAA Medications Master List (*This is not an all inclusive list, those listed are for common ailments)
The FAA has not published an official list of approved drugs. The following list of FAA accepted medications is the most accurate and complete information available on the listed date. This "master list" was developed by Pilot Medical Solutions through communication with the FAA.
Medications included in this list are approved only for the condition listed on a case by case basis. Some medications listed may not be approved for a given individual and medications not listed may also be acceptable.
New medications usually require a 1 year review hold beginning on the date of FDA approval. This is to establish a side effect profile beyond the manufacturers published material and does not include herbal preparations or supplements.
To assure FAA medical eligibility call 800-699-4457 for a free consultation.
Federal Aviation Regulations (Part 61) require a person who holds a current medical certificate shall not act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember, while that person: "Knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that would make the person unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation; or is taking medication or receiving other treatment for a medical condition that results in the person being unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation."
Allergy, Cold, Decongestants- Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine) and Entex (Phenylpropanolamine) are approved by the FAA provided they are not combined with an antihistamine.
Claritin (Loratadine), Clarinex (Desloratadine) and Allegra (Fexofenadine) are acceptable to the FAA provided no negative side effects are experienced. Vitamin B-12 or other prophylactic injections are approved provided there are no side effects.
Approved Inhalers include:
Afrin (Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride)
Atrovent (Ipratropium) CASE BY CASE ONLY Beconase (Beclomethasone Dipropionate) Flonase (Fluticasone Propionate)
Nasalcrom (Cromolyn Sodium) Nasalide (Flunisolide)
Vancenase (Beclomethasone Dipropionate)
Sedating medications are not acceptable. This includes but is not limited to: Cetirazine (Zyrtec), Dipenhydramine (Benadryl) and Astelin (Azelastine) Nasal Inhaler.
Antacids / G.I. Medications - The following medications are approved by the FAA on a case by case basis only. Pilots With Ulcers
Aciphex (Rabeprazole) Asacol, Lialda (Mesalamine) Axid (Nizatidine)
Azulfidine ((Sulfasalazine)) Cytotec (Misoprostol) Dipentum (Olsalazine)
Mylanta
Pepcid (Famotidine) Prevacid (Lansoprazole) Prilosec (Omeprazole) Propulsid
Protonix (Pantoprazole sodium)
Reglan (Metoclopramide hydrochloride) Rolaids
Tagamet (Cimetidine) Tums
Zantac (Ranitidine)
Anti-Bacterial - Flagyl (Metronidazole)
Antibiotics - The use of antibiotics is usually permissible, providing the drug has been taken for long enough (usually 48 hours) to rule out the possibility of adverse effects.
A partial list of acceptable antibiotics include: Azactam (Aztreonam)
Augmentin, Amoxil (Amoxicillin) Biaxin (Clarithromycin) Cipro (Ciprofloxacin) Floxin (Ofloxicin) Keflex (Cephalexin) Levaquin (Levofloxacin) Monodox (Doxycycline) Zithromax (Azithromycin)
Anti-Coagulants - The following may be approved on a case by case basis: Aspirin (Salicylate) Coumadin (Warfarin) Lovenox (Enoxaparin) Plavix (Clopidrogrel) Pletal (Cilostazol) Trental (Pentoxifylline) Xarelto (Rivaroxaban)
Anti-Depressants / Anxiety - Single-use Anti-Depressants such as: Celexa (Citalopram
Hydrobromide), Lexapro (Escitalopram Oxalate), Prozac (Fluoxetine Hydrochloride) or Zoloft (Sertraline Hydrochloride) are approved by the FAA on a case by case basis only. With the exception of the aforementioned SSRI's, and some herbal preparations such as Saint Johns Wort, psychotropic medications are rarely approved by the FAA.
Anti-Fungal - The following may be approved by the FAA on a case by case basis: Gris-PEG (Griseofulvin)
Lamisil (Terbinafine) Sporanox (Traconazole)
Anti-Inflammatory & Arthritis - The following medications are usually FAA approved provided there are no side effects and the condition being treated does not preclude safe performance of flight duties:
Acetaminophen Advil (Ibuprofen)
Aleve (Naproxen Sodium) Ansaid Arava (Leflunomide) Arthrotec (Diclofenac) Asacol (Mesalamine) Aspirin Azulfidine (Sulfasalazine) Celebrex (Celecoxib)
Cataflam (Diclofenac Sodium) Daypro (Oxaprozin) Dolobid (Diflunisal) Elmiron (Pentosan) Enbrel (Etanercept) Feldene (Piroxicam) Ibuprofen Imuran (Azothioprine) Indocin (Indomethacin) Lodine (Etodalac)
Meclofenamate (Meclofenamic Acid) Mediprin
Methotrexate (not approved for cancer) Mobic (Meloxicam)
Motrin (Ibuprofen) MotrinIB (Ibuprofen)
Naprosyn (Naproxen Sodium) Naproxen (Naproxen Sodium) Orudis (Ketoprofen)
Oruvail (Ketoprofen)
Plaquenil - May affect vision. FAA approval requires an eye evaluation Relafen (Nabumetone)
Remicade (Infliximab)
Rheumatrex (Methotrexate, not approved for cancer)
Synvisc (Hylan G-F 20) Injections may be approved on a case by case basis Tylenol (Acetaminophen)
Toradol (Ketorolac Tromethamine)
Trexall (Methotrexate not approved for cancer) Voltaren (Diclofenac Sodium)
Anti-Viral - The following medications are approved by the FAA on a case by case basis: Famvir (Famciclovir)
Fludara (Fludarabine)
Hepsera (Adefovir Dipivoxil) Rebetol, Virazole (Ribavirin) Tenofovir (Disoproxil Fumarate) Truvada (Emtricitabine / Tenofovir) Valtrex (Valacyclovir)
Viread (Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate) Zerit (Stavudine)
Anxiety - With the exception of herbal preparations (Saint Johns Wort), anti-anxiety medications, such as Xanax (Alprazolam), Klonopin (Clonazepam), Valium (Diazepam)
Ativan (Lorazepam) and Paxil (Seroxat) are not approved by the FAA.
Asthma / COPD - These conditions often require a combination of drugs which are usually
approved by the FAA on an individual basis only. Prednisone is acceptable up to 20 mg only. Case by case approved medications include but may not be limited to:
Advair, Flovent (Fluticasone Propiona) Accolate (Zafirlukast)
Aerobid (Flunisolide) Azmacort (Tiamcinolone) Foradil (Formoterol)
Proventil, Pentolin, Ventolin (Albuterol) Serevent (Salmeterol)
Singulair (Montelukast)
Theo-Dur, Uniphyl (Theophylline) Xolair (Omalizumab)
Zyflo (Zileuton)
Blood Thinners - The following are usually approved on a case by case basis: Aspirin (Salicylate) Coumadin (Warfarin) Lovenox (Enoxaparin) Plavix (Clopidrogrel) Pletal (Cilostazol) Trental (Pentoxifylline) Xarelto (Rivaroxaban)
With the exception of aspirin, detailed information regarding the underlying condition and INR's are required.
Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Centrally acting agents such as Guanethidine, Guanadrel, Guanabenz, Methyldopa, and Reserpine are not acceptable to the FAA.
Catapres (Clonidine) may be approved provided it has been used without adverse effects and was reported on previous FAA exams.
Diuretics
Aldactone, Aldactazide (Spironolactone) Bumex (Bumetanide)
Camadex, Demadex (Torsemide)
Diuril, Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, Oretic, Enduron (Thiazides) Dyazide, Maxzide, Moduretic (Combinations)
Dyrenium (Triamterene) Lasix (Furosemide) Lozol (Indapamide) Mykrox (Metolazone)
Zaroxolyn, Mykrox (Metolazone)
Cholesterol / Lipid Management - Most medications used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia or the management of cholesterol are approved by the FAA.
Some of the medications, such as Caduet, Lescol (Fluvastatin) & Colestid (Colestipol), require detailed favorable documentation.
This includes but may not be limited to:
Caduet (Amlodipine Besylate + Atorvastatin Calcium) Colestid (Colestipol)
Crestor (Rosuvastatin Calcium) Lescol (Fluvastatin)
Lipitor (Atorvastatin) Lopid (Gemfibrozil) Mevacor (Lovastatin) Niacin (Nicotinic Acid) Pravachol (Pravastatin) Precose (Acarbose)
Questran,Cholestyramine, Locholest, Prevalite (Cholestyramine Resin) Tricor (Fenofibrate)
Vytorin (Ezetimibe / Simvastatin) WelChol (Colesevelam Hydrochloride) Zetia (Ezetimibe)
Zocor (Simvastatin)
Contraceptives - Almost always approved
Diarrhea - While this condition is usually self-limiting, the following medications may be used for minor occurrences:
Imodium Kaopectate
Lomotil (Diphenoxylate Hydrochloride) Pepto-Bismol
Other medications require discontinuation at least 48 hours prior to flight. Headaches - The following drugs are FAA approved on a case by case basis: Acetaminophen
Advil (Ibuprofen)
Aleve (Naproxen Sodium) Ansaid
Aspirin
Beta-Blockers (when labeled & approved by the FDA for headache type) Caffergot
Calcium-Channel Blockers Ibuprofen
Imitrex
Innopran XL (Propranolol Hydrochloride) Motrin (Ibuprofen)
MotrinIB (Ibuprofen)
Naprosyn (Naproxen Sodium) Naproxen (Naproxen Sodium) Sansert (Methysergide)
Tylenol (Acetaminophen)
Herbal - Most herbal preparations are approved by the FAA provided there are no side effects and the condition being treated is not disqualifying.
Infection - The use of antibiotics is often permissible, providing the drug is has been
FDA approved for at least one year and has been used long enough (usually 48 hours) to rule out the possibility of adverse effects. A partial list of acceptable antibiotics include:
Azactam (Aztreonam)
Augmentin, Amoxil (Amoxicillin) Biaxin (Clarithromycin) Cipro (Ciprofloxacin) Floxin (Ofloxicin) Keflex (Cephalexin) Monodox (Doxycycline) Zithromax (Azithromycin)
Influenza Virus Infection - The following meds are FAA approved on a case by case basis: Relenza (Zanamivir)
Tamiflu (Oseltamivir)
Motion Sickness - Ginger root is an acceptable treatment for the prevention of benign motion sickness.
Pain Control - The following medications are usually FAA approved provided there are no side effects and the condition being treated does not preclude safe performance of flight duties: Advil Aleve Ansaid Celebrex Indocin Mediprin Motrin MotrinIB Naprosyn Tylenol Voltaren
Ulcer - The use of prophylactic medications for the peptic ulcer illnesses, such as antacids, H-2 blockers, and Sucralfate may be allowed, depending on the specific condition and severity.
Favorable FAA consideration requires extensive evaluation. Medications approved on a case by case basis include: Aciphex (Rabeprazole) Asacol (Mesalamine) Axid (Nizatidine) Azulfidine ((Sulfasalazine)) Cytotec (Misoprostol) Dipentum (Olsalazine) Mylanta Pepcid (Famotidine) Prevacid (Lansoprazole)
Prilosec (Omeprazole) Propulsid
Protonix (Pantoprazole sodium)
Reglan (Metoclopramide hydrochloride) Rolaids
Tagamet (Cimetidine) Tums
Zantac (Ranitidine)
Vaccinations - Prophylactic injections such as; immunizations or B-12 shots are usually approved provided there are no side effects.
Conditions Specifically Listed by the FAA as Disqualifying:
* The conditions below are initially disqualifying. Many of these conditions still permit Special Issuance medical certification.
(1) Coronary heart disease (2) Angina
(3) Myocardial infarction (4) Heart replacement
(5) Cardiac valve replacement (6) Permanent cardiac pacemakers (7) Diabetes
(8) Psychosis (9) Bipolar disorder
(10) Severe personality disorder (11) Substance dependence or abuse (12) Epilepsy
(13) Disturbance of consciousness (without satisfactory explanation) (14) Transient loss of nervous system function
FAR (Part 67 Medical) FAA Statistics
