Cholesterol
Other cholesterol medications
Bile acid sequestrant, omega-3 ester, ACL inhibitor, niacin
Other names: niacin, Niaspan, Niacor, cholestyramine, Questran, Prevalite
Wait
24 hours
after the first dose (the FAA's MedGuide, whose table has no entry for colesevelam)
Two FAA documents give different waits. Both are below.
Examiner
The examiner can issue when the document's criteria are met
FAA label
ACCEPTABLE
The FAA's two documents on these cholesterol medicines give different waits.
Track your medicationsCompare FAA documents: Other cholesterol medicationsWhat each of the two FAA documents says, in plain wordsOpen
The FAA's documents differ. The FAA's cholesterol sheet gives every cholesterol medicine a 48-hour ground trial when starting; the FAA's MedGuide, newer and written medicine by medicine, gives this one 24 hours after the first dose. Both are current FAA documents and both name the medicine, so neither is set aside.
Wait
- 48-hour ground trial when starting (the FAA's cholesterol sheet)
The FAA's MedGuide names niacin (Niacor, Niaspan), cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran), colestipol (Colestid), omega-3-acid ethyl esters (Lovaza), icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) and bempedoic acid (Nexletol) as allowed, with a wait of 24 hours after the first dose and none after later doses or after the final dose, used as prescribed; its table has no entry for colesevelam (Welchol).
The FAA's cholesterol sheet lists bile acid sequestrants, omega-3 esters, bempedoic acid and niacin as acceptable cholesterol medication and says all drug classes require the minimum standard 48-hour initial ground trial. The MedGuide defines allowed as acceptable for use while performing flight or safety-related duties, provided the condition is stable/aeromedically acceptable and no adverse side effects are present.
- 24 hours after the first dose: ground observation
- 48 hours after starting: ground observation
Show the FAA's words: Other cholesterol medicationsThe official FAA wording: two passages, each with its document and dateOpen
All drug classes require the minimum standard 48-hour initial ground trial. ACCEPTABLE Cholesterol Medications (as a single agent or in any combination product)
Bile Acid Sequestrant: cholestyramine (Prevalite; Questran), colesevelam (Welchol), colestipol (Colestid). Omega-3-acid ethyl esters: omega-3-acid ethyl esters (Lovaza), icosapent ethyl (Vascepa). Adenosine Triphosphate-Citrate Lyase (ACL) Inhibitor: bempedoic acid (Nexletol). Nicotinic acid: niacin (Niaspan).
Generic: niacin
Brand Name: Niacor; Niaspan [INTL]
Drug Class: Antilipemic Agent, Vitamin
Underlying Condition: Hypercholesterolemia; Hyperlipidemia; Supplement
Use: ALLOW
INITIAL Wait Time (after first dose): 24 hours
SUBSEQUENT Dose Wait Time (after each dose): None
DISCONTINUATION Wait Time (after final dose): None
Frequency Use Limit: As prescribed
Generic: cholestyramine
Brand Name: Prevalite; Questran
Drug Class: Bile Acid Sequestrant
Underlying Condition: Hypercholesterolemia; Hyperlipidemia
Use: ALLOW
INITIAL Wait Time (after first dose): 24 hours
SUBSEQUENT Dose Wait Time (after each dose): None
DISCONTINUATION Wait Time (after final dose): None
Frequency Use Limit: As prescribed
Generic: colestipol
Brand Name: Colestid
Drug Class: Bile Acid Sequestrant
Underlying Condition: Hypercholesterolemia; Hyperlipidemia; Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) [OL]
Use: ALLOW
INITIAL Wait Time (after first dose): 24 hours
SUBSEQUENT Dose Wait Time (after each dose): None
DISCONTINUATION Wait Time (after final dose): None
Frequency Use Limit: As prescribed
Generic: omega-3-acid ethyl esters
Brand Name: Lovaza; Omacor [INTL]
Drug Class: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Underlying Condition: Hyperlipidemia; Hypertriglyceridemia
Use: ALLOW
INITIAL Wait Time (after first dose): 24 hours
SUBSEQUENT Dose Wait Time (after each dose): None
DISCONTINUATION Wait Time (after final dose): None
Frequency Use Limit: As prescribed
Generic: icosapent ethyl (E-EPA)
Brand Name: Vascepa
Drug Class: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Underlying Condition: Hypercholesterolemia; Hyperlipidemia
Use: ALLOW
INITIAL Wait Time (after first dose): 24 hours
SUBSEQUENT Dose Wait Time (after each dose): None
DISCONTINUATION Wait Time (after final dose): None
Frequency Use Limit: As prescribed
Generic: bempedoic acid
Brand Name: Nexletol; Nilemdo [INTL]
Drug Class: Adenosine Triphosphate-Citrate Lyase (ACL) Inhibitor
Underlying Condition: Hypercholesterolemia
Use: ALLOW
INITIAL Wait Time (after first dose): 24 hours
SUBSEQUENT Dose Wait Time (after each dose): None
DISCONTINUATION Wait Time (after final dose): None
Frequency Use Limit: As prescribed
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.