Medications

Taking medicine in any form immediately before or while flying can be hazardous. Over-the-counter and herbal remedies, such as antihistamines, cough medicines, sleeping pills, and appetite suppressants (to name just a few) may cause drowsiness, decrease mental alertness, and seriously impair the judgement and co-ordination needed by the pilot. A condition for which medicine is required may impair a pilot’s proficiency, even though the symptoms are masked by medicine. Unless cleared by a Civil Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME), pilots should not fly under the influence of prescription or over-the-counter drugs or herbal remedies any more than they should fly under the influence of alcohol.

It should go without saying that illicit drug use may result in the refusal to issue, refusal to renew, or suspension of a medical certificate. On June 3, 2019, Transport Canada announced a new policy stating that flight crew (pilots and flight engineers) and flight controllers (air traffic controllers) are prohibited from the use of cannabis for at least 28 days before being on duty.

Unless cleared by a Civil Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME), pilots should not fly under the influence of prescription or over-the-counter drugs or herbal remedies any more than they should fly under the influence of alcohol.

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