Benzodiazepines (and related medications) for flying
Information for patients
Diazepam in the UK is a Class C/Schedule IV controlled drug. The following short guide outlines
the issues surrounding its use with regards to flying and why we no longer prescribe such
medications for this purpose.
Risk in emergency
Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed. Although plane
emergencies are a rare occurrence, Diazepam can cause reduced awareness and reaction times
which could pose a significant risk in the event of an emergency on board requiring an
evacuation.
Risk of Blood Clots
The use of such sedative drugs can make you fall asleep, however when you do sleep it 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 an increased risk of developing a blood clot (Deep Vein Thrombosis –
DVT) in the leg or even the lungs. Blood clots are very dangerous and can even prove fatal. This
risk is even greater if your flight is greater than 4 hours, the amount of time which has been
shown to increase the risk of developing DVT whether in an aeroplane or elsewhere.
Other Side Effects
Whilst most people find 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 which can pose a risk on the plane. This could impact on your safety as well as that
of other passengers and could also get you into trouble with the law. A similar effect can be
seen with alcohol, which has led to people being removed from flights.
Illegal in some countries
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. The passenger may also need to
use a different strategy for the homeward bound journey and/or other legs of the journey.
It is important to declare all medical conditions and medications you take to your travel insurer.
If not, there is a risk of nullifying any insurance policy you may have.
Our recommendation
According to the prescribing guidelines doctors follow (British National Formulary) diazepam is
contraindicated (not allowed) for treating phobias (fears). It also states that “the use of
benzodiazepines to treat short-term ‘mild’ anxiety is inappropriate.”
This medication is only licensed short term for a crisis in generalised anxiety. If this is the case,
we recommend that you should be getting proper care and support for your mental health and
not going on a flight. Fear of flying in isolation is not a generalised anxiety disorder.
We will no longer be providing Diazepam or similar drugs for flight anxiety and instead suggest
the below aviation industry recommended flight anxiety courses.
Flight anxiety does not come under the remit of General Medical Services as defined in the GP
contract and so we are not obliged to prescribe for this. Patients who still wish to take
benzodiazepines for flight anxiety are advised to consult with a private GP.
Flight anxiety courses
For further information visit the websites below:
SOAR – Fear of flying course
EasyJet – Fearless Flyer
British Airways – Flying with confidence