Following a review of the prescribing policies by Doctors at the Practice, the decision has been made to stop the prescribing of sedatives (such as diazepam and temazepam) for ‘fear of flying’.
We provide the following information and advice which gives the background and strong reasons to implement this decision. Many other GP practices now have similar policies across the UK.
The reasons behind this decision:
- Emergencies are rare whilst flying, but taking sedatives like diazepam reduces reaction time in the event of an emergency and can put you and others at significant risk.
- These medicines can cause deeper (unnatural non-REM) sleep, and not moving around when asleep increases the risk of developing a blood clot in the leg, a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or lungs, a pulmonary embolus (PE). This risk is greater if your flight is longer than 4 hours.
- Whilst most people find diazepam and similar drugs sedating, in some people it can cause agitation and aggression. This can result in disinhibition and lead you to behave in a different way from normal. This could impact your safety as well as other passengers, and get you in trouble with the law.
- If alcohol is consumed alongside these medications, it increases the medication effects and risk of the above issues.
- There is evidence that the use of these drugs stops the normal adjustment response that would gradually lessen anxiety over time. This may also increase anxiety in the long term, especially if used repeatedly for this purpose.
- Diazepam in the UK is a Class C/Schedule IV controlled drug. Diazepam and similar controlled drugs are illegal (even if prescribed) in many countries and may cause trouble with the police if found at Customs.
- Diazepam stays in your system for some time. If your job or sport needs you to have random drug testing, you may fail this having taken diazepam.
- According to the prescribing guidelines that doctors follow (BNF), benzodiazepines are contraindicated (not allowed) in phobia. They are only licensed short term for a crisis in generalised anxiety. If this were the case, you should be getting care and support for your mental health and are unlikely to be fit to fly.
It is important to tell your travel insurer about your medical conditions and the medications you take. If you do not, there is a risk of your insurer not paying if you try to make a claim.
We recognise that fear of flying can be very frightening. We recommend tackling this properly by using self-help resources or considering one of the ‘Fear of Flying’ course run by many airlines. More information on how to manage a fear of flying and flying anxiety can be found here and below:
Easy Jet www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com Tel 0203 8131644
British Airways www.flyingwithconfidence.com Tel 01252 793250
Virgin Tips For Nervous Flyers | Advice For Nervous Flyers | Virgin Atlantic Tel 01423 714900
