Policy for Benzodiazepine

Use of Benzodiazepine and other medications for flying.

Poplar Grove Practice does not prescribe Benzodiazepine medication, used for fear of flying. This decision has been made by the Partners and is adhered to by all prescribers working in the practice. The reasons for this are;

• Benzodiazepines such as Diazepam are sedatives. These make you sleepy and more relaxed. Therefore if there is an emergency during the flight it may impair ability to concentrate, follow instructions and react. This could have serious safety consequences for you and those around you.
• Sedative drugs can make you fall asleep, this however 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 greater than four hours.
• Whilst most people find Benzodiazepines like Diazepam sedating, a small number have paradoxical agitation and aggression. They can also cause disinhibition and lead you to behave in a way that you would not normally. This could impact on your safety as well as that of other passengers and could also get you into trouble with the law.
• According to the prescribing guidelines doctors follow (BNF) Benzodiazepines are contraindicated (not allowed) in Phobia. Your GP is taking a significant legal risk by prescribing against these guidelines. They are only licensed short term for a crisis in generalised anxiety. 
• Diazepam and similar 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 to random drug testing you may fail this having taken Diazepam.

We appreciate that fear of flying is real and very frightening however, a much better approach is to tackle this with a Fear of Flying course. These are often run by airlines or you can find these courses online. 

Alternatively, patients who still wish to take Benzodiazepines may wish to consult with a private GP or Travel Clinic who may be happy to prescribe.