Nelson Medical Practice Position Statement on Prescribing Sedative Medications for Fear of Flying
Diazepam and similar medications are sedatives. While they might seem like a quick solution, they can significantly affect reaction times and sometimes make individuals more agitated rather than relaxed. In the extremely rare event of an emergency during a flight, your ability to concentrate, follow instructions, and react quickly could be impaired, potentially affecting your safety and that of others.
Additionally, diazepam might cause drowsiness to the extent that you do not move around as much as you would during natural sleep, increasing the risk of blood clots in the legs, also known as deep vein thrombosis. Moreover, diazepam and similar medications are often illegal in some countries, and carrying them could lead to legal issues upon arrival.
We understand that you might have been prescribed sedatives for fear of flying in the past. However, our current practice position is that we do not prescribe diazepam or other sedatives for flying anxiety, as this goes against current medical prescribing guidelines.
We have provided links to information about flying anxiety, which offers general advice on managing anxiety and links to specific fear of flying courses. We have received great feedback from some of our patients about these courses, and you might want to consider them for the future.
How to manage a fear of flying and flying anxiety.
British Airways Flying with Confidence
We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our patients and encourage exploring alternative methods to manage flying anxiety.