Pain
Opioid pain relievers
Narcotic and non-narcotic prescription pain reliever
Other names: oxycodone, OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan, hydrocodone, Vicodin
FAA guidance
Do not fly while taking it.
If used routinely
The examiner should defer
FAA label
DO NOT FLY
Narcotic pain relievers and non-narcotic pain relievers such as tramadol are on the FAA's Do Not Fly list, and if the pilot uses them routinely, the FAA's table says the examiner should defer.
Track your medicationsCompare FAA documents: Opioid pain relieversWhat each of the two FAA documents says, in plain wordsOpen
It says pain medication may be used occasionally for time-limited conditions that are either a single episode or recurrent episodes with resolution.
The FAA's Do Not Issue list, under controlled substances, names any open prescription for chronic use of any drug or substance with no resolution, and the FAA's table says the examiner should defer the exam and not issue a medical certificate; for short-term use it points to pain medication in the Do Not Fly section.
The FAA's controlled substances page lists Schedule II controlled substances, narcotics among them, as unacceptable, and says the examiner must review any use of narcotics, with no flying or safety-related duties during use and a minimum no-fly time after last use. The documents do not say the same thing; both are quoted.
Show the FAA's words: Opioid pain relieversThe official FAA wording: four passages, each with its document and dateOpen
DO NOT FLY (DNF) MEDICATIONS
The following medications have aeromedically concerning safety profiles. All medications listed below may cause sedation or drowsiness, impairing cognitive function and seriously degrading pilot performance.
PAIN MEDICATION: May be used occasionally for time-limited conditions that are either a single episode or recurrent episodes with resolution. Annotate Block 60 if use is temporary for a medical procedure or for a medical condition and the medication has been discontinued. Annotate the start and stop dates and reason for use. Narcotic pain relievers including but not limited to morphine, codeine, oxycodone (Percodan, Oxycontin), and hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin, etc.). Non-narcotic pain relievers (e.g., tramadol [Ultram]).
DO NOT FLY (DNF) MEDICATIONS
AMEs should caution pilots on use and provide additional No Fly wait times where applicable. If applicant is using the following medications routinely, AMEs should DEFER.
DO NOT ISSUE (DNI) MEDICATIONS
If the applicant is taking any of the following medications, AMEs should DEFER the exam. DO NOT issue a medical certificate to applicants who are using any of the following drug classes or medications for any condition:
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES (SCHEDULES I – V)
Any open prescription for chronic use of any drug or substance with no resolution. (If short-term use, see “pain medication” and “anti-anxiety” in DNF section.)
UNACCEPTABLE Medications (Used as a single agent or in any combination product.)
DEA SCHEDULE II Controlled Substances Not limited to: Barbiturates Cocaine Stimulants Narcotics* *The AME must review ANY use of narcotics. No fly or no Safety Related Duties during use. A minimum no fly time must be observed after last use. Frequent flares/ episodes require review of the underlying condition.