Cold Medication

[Cruise]

Hey Doc,

Realizing a cold lasts about a week regardless if medication is taken or not. Would you recommend some FAA approved cold medications that will at least relieve the symptoms?

I've got a terrible cough at the moment and my throat is becomming raw from all the hacking I'm doing.

Thanks in advance!

 

[My Flight Surgeon]

Afrin nose spray and claritin (loratidine is the generic name) over the counter antihistamine ar OK for flight duty.

 

[Cruise]

Ok Doc, thanks for the info. However, I have one more question regarding the subject.

I have Sudafed nightime medication(contains no pseudoephedrine---although it does have diphenhydramine) to help me sleep at night. So, how long after taking the nighttime meds. do I have to wait before flying again? Would this medication show up on a drug screening?

Thanks again!

 

[My Flight Surgeon]

24 hours. There was a study at the University of Iowa several years ago and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 50 mg had the same effect as a blood alcohol of 0.10 and it lasts more than 12 hours.