Use of Benzodiazepines (and related medications) for flying – Information for Patients

Diazepam in the UK is a Class C/Schedule IV controlled drug. Patients may request the doctor to prescribe diazepam for fear of flying or assist with sleep during flights. Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed. There are a number of reasons why prescribing this drug is not recommended for this indication. The following short guide outlines the issues surrounding its use with regards to flying and why the GP practice no longer prescribes these medications for this purpose.

According to prescribing guidance (British National Formulary) diazepam is contraindicated (unsuitable for this use) for treating phobias (fears). It also states that “the use of benzodiazepines to treat short-term ‘mild’ anxiety is inappropriate.” Benzodiazepines are only licensed short term for a crisis in generalised anxiety. If this is the case, you should seek care and support for your mental health and this is a separate condition. Fear of flying in isolation is not a generalised anxiety disorder.

Although plane emergencies are a rare occurrence there are concerns about reduced awareness and reaction times for patients taking Diazepam which could pose a significant risk to themselves and others if unable to react in a manner which could save their life in the event of an emergency on board requiring evacuation.

The use of such sedative drugs can make you fall asleep and experience unnatural non-REM sleep. This means you won’t move around as much as during natural sleep. This puts you 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 prove fatal. This risk is even greater if your flight is greater than 4 hours.

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 a plane. This could impact 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. The sedating effects also have the possibility of causing some respiratory depression and there is risk of addiction from inappropriate benzodiazepine use.

Diazepam and similar controlled drugs are illegal in a number of countries. They could be confiscated or you may find yourself in trouble with the police. It is important to declare all medical conditions and medications you take to your travel insurer to avoid risk of nullifying any insurance policy you may have.

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. We therefore wish to inform that we will no longer be providing Diazepam or similar drugs for flight anxiety and instead suggest the below aviation industry recommended flight anxiety courses.

For further information:
Fear of Flying Programs | thefearofflying.com
Fear of flying course | Fearless Flyer
Flying with confidence | Information | British Airways
Flying Without Fear | Courses to Conquer Your Fear of Flying