The FAA's MedGuide, explained
The MedGuide is the FAA's reference of medications for medical certification, part of its Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners, last updated 1 October 2026. For each medication it gives what it is taken for, whether it is allowed, and three wait times.
Source: FAA, MedGuideFAA date 1 October 2026Checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026
“NOTE: This version of the guide only shows those medications that are allowed. Subsequent versions of this tool will also show conditional and unacceptable medications.” The FAA's MedGuide
What is the FAA MedGuide?
The MedGuide is part of the FAA's Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners. For each medication it lists, it gives what the medication is taken for, whether it is allowed, three wait times, and how often it may be used. This is version 1.0, and it lists only medications that are allowed.
What “allowed” means
Allowed is the only use the MedGuide lists today. It comes with two conditions: the condition is stable, and there are no side effects.
“ALLOWED: The medication is acceptable for use while performing flight or safety-related duties, provided the condition is stable/aeromedically acceptable and no adverse side effects are present.”
The three wait times
Each medication has three: after the first dose, after each dose, and after the last dose. Many are “None”.
Initial wait time
After the first dose
“INITIAL Wait Time (after first dose): The initial observation period required after starting a new medication to allow for therapeutic effect and ensure no adverse side effects occur.”
Subsequent dose wait time
After each dose
“SUBSEQUENT Dose Wait Time (after each dose): The observation period required after the last dose before reporting for flight or SRDs. This additional time is needed to mitigate aeromedically significant adverse effects.”
Discontinuation wait time
After the last dose
“DISCONTINUATION Wait Time (after final dose): For medications that are allowed, the observation time needed to verify no symptom recurrence (rebound), withdrawal risk, and condition stability after stopping the medication.”
On a new medication, the MedGuide's general rule is 48 hours in most cases, longer or shorter for some. Each medication's own wait is the one to read.
“Initial Wait Times: When starting a new medication, in most cases, a 48-hour wait time is required before returning to safety-related duties. This period allows the medication to take effect and ensures no aeromedically significant side effects develop. Longer wait times may apply to higher risk medications, whereas medications with minimal systemic effects may be shortened. Please see the specific medications for guidance.”
The condition counts too
A medication's wait is not the whole answer. The condition it treats is looked at too, and may need a longer wait.
“Underlying Condition: Evaluating medication use requires considering the impact of safety of flight from both the medication and underlying condition. Wait times are not determined solely by the medication; an extended observation period may be required to verify clinical stability of the condition.”
If side effects appear
“Adverse Effects & Reporting: Cease flying or safety-related duties (SRD) immediately if any aeromedically concerning adverse side effects develop prior to duty, according to 14 CFR § 61.53 for pilots and Order 3930.3C for ATCS. Pilots should notify their treating physician and/or FAA prior to flight; ATCSs should notify their Regional Flight Surgeon (RFS) before starting their shift.”
Where it differs from other FAA guidance
Some medications are also on older FAA sheets that give a different wait. Where both documents name the medication, Crosscheck shows both waits, the MedGuide's first, each with its FAA date. That is the case for 11 medications today.
For six more, the other figure is a general rule for any new medication, and the MedGuide's own wait for that medication applies.
Ready to check a medication?
Look up any medication by its generic or brand name: the FAA's answer, its wait, its source and the date.
Important considerations
- “This guide should not be used as the sole basis in making aeromedical determinations, which must include an individualized assessment based on generally accepted clinical practices.”
- “The contents of the MedGuide do not constitute clinical advice and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment.”
- “Wait times are not determined solely by the medication; an extended observation period may be required to verify clinical stability of the condition.”
The quotations are the FAA's MedGuide. For informational purposes only. Not legal or medical advice.