Medication for Fear of Flying
People sometimes ask the doctor or nurse to prescribe diazepam, or similar drugs like lorazepam, temazepam or clonazepam, for fear of flying or to help sleep during flights.
If you request a prescription for medication this will be considered by a doctor at an individual level.
If your doctor decides a prescription is appropriate then you need to be aware of the following limitations:
1) Although plane emergencies are rare, taking Diazepam reduces awareness and reaction times for patients so you risk not being able to react to save your life if you have to escape quickly. You may also put other people in danger by getting in their way or making them help you.
2) The use of these drugs can make you sleep in an unnaturally deep sleep. This means you won’t move around as much as during natural sleep so you have a bigger risk of getting a blood clot (Deep Vein Thrombosis - DVT) in the leg or lungs. Blood clots are very dangerous and can kill. This risk is bigger if your flight is longer than 4 hours.
3) They have short term bad effects on memory, co-ordination, concentration and reaction times, and are addictive if used for a long time, with withdrawal leading to fits, hallucinations, agitation and confusion. They have also become widely used drugs of abuse since they first came on the market. Diazepam in the UK is recommended only to be used short term for a ‘crisis in generalised anxiety’.
4) Some people get agitated and aggressive after taking diazepam and similar drugs, and behave in a way that they would not normally, which can pose a risk on the plane. This affects everyone’s safety and could get you into trouble with the law. A similar effect can be seen with alcohol, which has led to people being removed from flights.
5) There is evidence use of these drugs stops the normal adjustment response that would gradually lessen anxiety over time, and may increase anxiety in the long term, especially if used repeatedly.
6) 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.
7) 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.
8) 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 not paying if you try to make a claim.
Before taking medication it is advised that you consider alternative options:
Fit for Travel provides information to help with a fear of flying.
Try distraction by talking with other passengers, watching a film, listening to music or reading.
Tell the cabin crew. Reassurance about routine aircraft sounds and in flight activities can help.
Research shows that Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) can be helpful for more severe cases. The person identifies what they actually fear and then learns different ways of overcoming it.
Aviation industry recommended flight anxiety courses, for example:
Smart phone meditation or relaxation apps.
If a prescription for diazepam is agreed to manage your symptoms there is more information about this medication on the NHS website.
Diazepam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines.
It's used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms and seizures or fits. It's also used in hospital to reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such as sweating or difficulty sleeping.
It can also be taken to help you relax before an operation or other medical or dental treatments. This is known as a pre-med.
It works by increasing the levels of a calming chemical in your brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
Diazepam is available on prescription only.
Key facts
• The most common side effect of diazepam is feeling drowsy.
• You're not recommended to use diazepam for longer than 4 weeks.
• If you take diazepam and feel sleepy, do not drive, cycle or use tools or machines.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking diazepam. It can make you sleep very deeply. You may have breathing problems and difficulty waking up.
• It's possible to get addicted to diazepam, but you're less likely to get addicted if you take it at the lowest dose that helps your symptoms, for up to 4 weeks.
• Diazepam is also known as Valium, but this brand is not available in the UK anymore.