Poplars Medical Centre: Policy on Sedative Prescriptions for Fear of Flying

The surgery will no longer prescribe sedative medication, such as Diazepam, for fear of flying due to updated prescribing guidelines and safety concerns. This decision, made by the GP Partners, applies to all prescribers in the practice. The key reasons are outlined below:

Safety Risks During Emergencies

Diazepam impairs concentration, reaction time, and the ability to follow instructions, which can be dangerous during a flight emergency.

Increased Risk of Blood Clots

Sedatives promote unnatural, non-REM sleep, reducing movement during long flights. This increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can be life-threatening, particularly on flights over four hours.

Unpredictable Side Effects

While sedatives are calming for most, some individuals experience agitation, aggression, or disinhibition, potentially endangering themselves and others. Such behaviour could also lead to legal consequences.

Contraindications for Phobias

Benzodiazepines are contraindicated for phobias according to prescribing guidelines (BNF) and are only approved for short-term use in generalized anxiety crises. If you are suffering a generalised anxiety crisis you should be getting proper care for this and it is likely not appropriate to be taking a flight.

Legal Issues and Drug Testing

Diazepam is illegal in some countries, potentially leading to confiscation or legal trouble. It also remains in the system for an extended period, risking failure of random drug tests for those in safety-critical jobs.

Alternative Approaches

We understand that fear of flying is distressing and recommend addressing it through:

Last reviewed: January 2025