The Village Practice does NOT prescribe Diazepam or similar drugs for fear of flying. This policy decision has been made by the GP Partners following a review of current guidance and is adhered to by all prescribers working for the practice.
The reasons for this can be found below:
- According to the prescribing guidelines doctors follow (British National Formulary) diazepam is contraindicated (not allowed) in treating phobic states. It is also stated that ‘the use of benzodiazepines to treat short-term ‘mild’ anxiety is inappropriate.’ Your doctor would be taking a significant legal risk by prescribing against these guidelines. They are only licensed short term for a crisis in generalised anxiety. If this is the case, you should be getting proper care and support for your mental health and not going on a flight.
- Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed. If there is an emergency during the flight it may impair your ability to concentrate, follow instructions and react to the situation. Therefore, this could have serious safety consequences for you and those around you.
- Sedative drugs such as Diazepam can make you fall asleep, however when you do sleep it is an unnatural non-REM sleep. This means you won’t move around as much as during natural sleep. This can cause you to be at increased risk of developing a blood clot (DVT) in the leg or even the lung. Blood clots are very dangerous and can even prove fatal. This risk is even greater if your flight is more than four hours.
- Whilst most people find Diazepam sedating, a small number have paradoxical agitation and aggression. This can also cause disinhibition and lead people to behave in a way that they would not normally which can cause a risk on the plane. This could impact on your safety as well as that of others and could also get you in trouble with the law. A similar effect can be seen with alcohol, which has led to people being removed from flights.
- Diazepam and similar controlled drugs are illegal in a number of countries. They may be confiscated, or you may find yourself in trouble with the police.
- Diazepam stays in your system for quite a while. If your job requires you to submit random drug testing, you may fail this having taken diazepam.
It is important to declare all medical conditions and medications you take to your travel insurer. If not, there is a risk of nullifying any insurance policy you have.
The aviation industry recommends flight anxiety courses below. Flight anxiety does not come under the remit of General Medical Services as defined in the GP contract and so we are not obliged to prescribe this.
Patients who still wish to take benzodiazepines for flight anxiety are advised to consult with a private GP or travel clinic.
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