Neurology
Carbidopa + levodopa
The one medication the FAA's Parkinson's disease table names as acceptable
Taken for: Parkinson's disease or secondary parkinsonismTaking it for something else? The entries here do not cover that use. The FAA may address it in the guidance for your condition. Ask your examiner.
Examiner
FAA review required; the examiner defers
The FAA's Parkinson's disease table says the only medication currently acceptable for aeromedical purposes is carbidopa + levodopa, in either long or short acting preparations.
Track your medicationsMore detail: carbidopa + levodopaThe rest of Crosscheck's reading, in plain wordsOpen
For a current or historical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease or secondary parkinsonism, the table has the following submitted for FAA review: a current, detailed neurological evaluation that meets the FAA's specifications for a neurologic evaluation, from a clinic visit with the treating neurologist no more than 90 days before the exam, which must include the UPDRS-III motor rating scale, comment on medications, side effects and the effectiveness of medication or treatment, describe findings if or when a dose is missed, discuss the stability of the condition (fluctuations of motor and cognitive function, dyskinesia in response to the medication, and the pattern of fluctuations through the day), and cover autonomic dysfunction such as blood pressure fluctuation or orthostasis; an MRI of the brain performed within the 12 months before the exam; and a current neuropsychological evaluation that meets the FAA's specifications for neuropsychological evaluations for potential neurocognitive impairment, from a clinic visit with the treating neuropsychologist no more than 90 days before the exam. The examiner defers, and the information goes to the FAA for a possible special issuance.
Show the FAA's words: carbidopa + levodopaThe official FAA wording: one passage, each with its document and dateOpen
A. Parkinson’s Disease or Secondary Parkinsonism
Current or historical diagnosis
Submit the following for FAA review:
1. A current, detailed neurological evaluation that meets FAA Specifications for Neurologic Evaluation, generated from a clinic visit with the treating neurologist no more than 90 days before the AME exam.
2. It must specifically include:
Unified Parkinson's UPDRS-III motor rating scale;
Medication*: Comment on medications, side effects, and effectiveness of medication or treatment;
Describe findings if/when an individual misses a dose of medication;
Must discuss stability of the condition: Fluctuations of motor and cognitive function; dyskinesia, in response to the medication; and what is the pattern of fluctuations throughout the day; and
Autonomic dysfunction such as blood pressure fluctuation or orthostasis;
*Acceptable Medication(s): The only medication currently acceptable for aeromedical purposes is carbidopa + levodopa (in either long or short acting preparations).
3. MRI brain (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) performed within the 12 months before the AME exam.
DEFER
Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
4. A current Neuropsychological evaluation that meets FAA Specifications for Neuropsychological Evaluations for Potential Neurocognitive Impairment, generated from a clinic visit with the treating neuropsychologist no more than 90 days before the AME exam.