Heart of Bath Surgery does not prescribe sedatives for fear of flying. This policy decision has been made by the GP partners and is adhered to by all prescribers working in the practice. The reasons for this can be found below:
As it is a sedative, there are concerns about reduced awareness and reaction times for patients taking Diazepam. Although plane emergencies are a rare occurrence this could pose a significant risk of not being able to concentrate, follow instructions and react in a manner which could save life in the event of an emergency on board.
The sedative effects of these drugs can affect breathing and cause low oxygen levels, which could be life threatening, especially with the lower circulating oxygen levels on an aeroplane, in people with breathing problems or when combined with alcohol.
Sedative drugs can make you fall asleep, however when you do sleep it is an unnatural deeper (non-REM) sleep. This means you won’t move around as much as during natural sleep which increases the risk of getting a blood clot (DVT) in the leg or lung. Blood clots are very dangerous and can prove fatal. This risk is greater if your flight is longer than four hours.
Diazepam in the UK is a controlled drug. It is in a class of drugs called ‘benzodiazepines’. The prescribing guidelines doctors must follow says that use of these drugs to treat short-term ‘mild’ anxiety or ‘phobia’ is inappropriate. A doctor would be taking a significant legal risk by prescribing against these guidelines. They are only licenced to be used short term for a ‘crisis in generalised anxiety’. But if you are having such a crisis, you are not likely to be fit to fly. Fear of flying in isolation is not a generalised anxiety disorder
There is evidence use of these drugs stops the normal adjustment response that would gradually lessen anxiety over time and may perpetuate and increase anxiety in the long term, especially if used repeatedly.
Whilst most people find diazepam and similar drugs sedating, some people have a paradoxical reaction of agitation, aggression and confusion after taking them. They can cause disinhibition and lead you to behave in a way that you would not normally, which can pose a risk on the plane to your safety and that of other passengers. 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 some countries. They may be confiscated, or you may find yourself in trouble with the police.
Diazepam stays in your system for some time. If your job or sport requires you to take random drug testing, you may fail this having taken diazepam.
It is important to tell your travel insurer about your medical conditions and medications you take. If not, there is a risk of your insurer nullifying any insurance policy you may have.
Listed below are links to some of the national programmes for anyone who would like additional support with fear of flying.
Easy Jet
www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com
Phone
0203 8131644
British Airways
Flying with confidence
Phone
01252 793250
Virgin
Advice For Nervous Flyers
Phone
01423 714900