Allergy and cold
Motion sickness medication: dimenhydrinate and meclizine
Sedating antihistamine for motion sickness
Other names: dimenhydrinate, Dramamine, meclizine, Antivert, Bonine
FAA guidance
Do not fly while taking it.
Examiner
FAA review required; the examiner defers
FAA label
NO GO
The FAA's over-the-counter guide lists dimenhydrinate and meclizine among the sedating products to avoid.
Track your medicationsCompare FAA documents: Motion sickness medication: dimenhydrinate and meclizineWhat each of the three FAA documents says, in plain wordsOpen
The guide says to wait at least five dosage intervals after the last dose before flying if the pilot takes any of its No Go medications or has previously had side effects from the medication.
The FAA's Do Not Issue – Do Not Fly tables say pilots should not fly following the last dose of any medications until a period of time has elapsed equal to five times the maximum pharmacologic half-life of the medication (preferred), or five times the maximum hour dose interval if pharmacologic half-life information is not available. The guide notes that the wait times for sedating antihistamines are longer than noted in its Dosage Interval Wait Timetable, due to their longer half-life, and to consult the examiner.
The FAA's motion sickness table says, for motion sickness, to submit all pertinent medical information and a current status report, and that if the condition requires medication, it requires an FAA decision. All three documents are quoted.
Show the FAA's words: Motion sickness medication: dimenhydrinate and meclizineThe official FAA wording: three passages, each with its document and dateOpen
4. NO GO Medications:
If you take any of the NO GO medications listed in the OTC Medications Reference Table OR if you have previously had side effects from the medication, wait at least five (5) dosage intervals after the last dose before flying.
AVOID
These can cause incapacitation.
NO GO
Sedating products:
brompheniramine (Dimetapp)
cetirizine (Zyrtec)
chlorpheniramine (Chlor- Trimeton)
diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
levocetirizine Xyzal)
dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
meclizine (Antivert)
Sedating antihistamines can cause drowsiness and impaired thinking and judgement.
NOTE: Sedating antihistamines are commonly found in autopsy after aircraft accidents. The wait times for these medications are longer than noted in the “Dosage Interval Wait Timetable” due to their longer half-life. Consult your AME.
For Aviation safety, pilots should not fly following the last dose of any medications until a period of time has elapsed equal to:
5-times the maximum pharmacologic half-life of the medication (preferred); or
5-times the maximum hour dose interval if pharmacologic half-life information is not available.
Motion Sickness Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report
If condition requires medication - Requires FAA Decision