SSRI's (antidepressants)

C

Chance

Well-Known Member
Dr. Forred,

Can you provide an update on the possible approval of antidepressants? This is moving painfully slow. There was an indication last October that it was close. I know we are dealing with the Federal government. This is about to eliminate any possibility of me returning to my flying job with my current employer.

Thanks.
 
Chance,
I too am waiting for the new program for Special Issuance medical allowing us to fly on SSRI's. I've got an attorney buddy who's fairly high up in the food chain in the NC DOJ office who's trying to find out what's going on at the Fed DOJ concerning this program. As soon as I hear anything, I'll post it here.
 
Thanks Woodpecker.

Hopefully your friend has something definitive soon. I need something as to "yes it's going to go through" to keep my airline job. The indefinite delay and wait is disconcerting.

Chance
 
Doc,

When I called OKC Aeromedical and spoke with the representatives (twice) to inquire as to the status of the SSRI policy change, they told me they hadn't heard anything about any possible change in the works. How can this be? Can you possibly contact your people and try and find out something more definitive? I've been in touch with several professionals like me whose lives are on hold while this thing is up in the air.

Thanks Dr. Forred. You have been an invaluable resource with all the knowledge you impart through your volunteerism on this site.
 
It is appproved at the FAA side of things. They are waiting for the Department of Justice to approve it - don't want anyone getting caught in the bind of declaring they are on antidepressants and finding they falsified their applications in the past so they want to protect the pilots (kind of an amnesty). We just need to wait and be patient.
 
Dr. Forred,

Just curious - but are there any known side-effects of SSRIs at altitude vs. the known side-effects on the ground?
 
Doc,

You indicated previously in this forum there were 4 drugs on the list, with prozac potentially being one of them. Can you tell me if escitalopram (and/or citalopram) might be there as well?

I'll bet you will be glad when this policy change comes about and I can stop asking all my questions! :deadhorse:

Thanks,

Chance
 
Dr Forred, do think there's any chance an older tricyclic like anafranil (clomipramine) will be approved? Thanks for the help
 
Hello guys. I too am waiting for the SSRI door to open up, but not to the extent you guys are. I am just a student pilot wanting a ppl. I take lexapro for anxiety, but fall under the same rules as depression. I have personally spoken to Dr. Chesanow (head FAA psychiatrist) in Washington DC. He told me that I would have to wait for the rule to be placed in the Federal Register for it to be official. This was mid January 2010. This past week I personally emailed Dr. Silberman (chief of airman certification in OK City) and his direct answer was-----
"It has not happended yet and I do not want to even hypthesize how long it will be. I hope Dr. Chesanow informed you that the process to gain medical certification will be a long and liklely expensive one. YOU will be required to have neuropsychological testing, see a psychiatrist and have your case then sent to Washington (Dr. Chesanow) for review. I do not want you to think that this will be a simple process."

Think a sport pilot license is in my future since I haven't been denied a medical.
 
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