Pilot performance can be seriously degraded by both prescribed and OTC medications, as well as by the medical conditions for which they are taken. Flying is almost always precluded while using prescription analgesics since these drugs may cause side effects such as mental confusion, dizziness, headaches, nausea, and vision problems. Depressants, including antihistamines, lower blood pressure, reduce mental processing, and slow motor and reaction responses.Answer (A) is incorrect because over-the-counter analgesics such as aspirin, Tylenol(R) and Advil(R), and non-drowsy antihistamines (Claritin(R), Allegra(R), etc.) have few side effects when taken in the correct dosage. Answer (B) is incorrect because these drugs do not typically limit flying (but the medical conditions for which they are being taken may indeed limit flying activities).
Pilot performance can be seriously degraded by both prescribed and OTC medications, as well as by the medical conditions for which they are taken. Flying is almost always precluded while using prescription analgesics since these drugs may cause side effects such as mental confusion, dizziness, headaches, nausea, and vision problems. Depressants, including antihistamines, lower blood pressure, reduce mental processing, and slow motor and reaction responses.Answer (A) is incorrect because over-the-counter analgesics such as aspirin, Tylenol(R) and Advil(R), and non-drowsy antihistamines (Claritin(R), Allegra(R), etc.) have few side effects when taken in the correct dosage. Answer (B) is incorrect because these drugs do not typically limit flying (but the medical conditions for which they are being taken may indeed limit flying activities).
