Pain
PM pain products
Pain reliever combined with diphenhydramine
Other names: Advil PM, Tylenol PM, Aleve PM
FAA guidance
Do not fly while taking it.
Wait
60 hours
after diphenhydramine (the FAA's Do Not Fly table)
If used routinely
The examiner should defer
FAA label
NO GO
The FAA's over-the-counter guide marks Advil PM and Tylenol PM as No Go, among the products to avoid, which it says can cause incapacitation, and says most "PM" medications contain diphenhydramine.
Track your medicationsCompare FAA documents: PM pain productsWhat each of the two 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 Fly table lists diphenhydramine among sedating antihistamines it says are found in many over-the-counter allergy and other types of medications, as a single agent or in any combination product, and says the wait time after diphenhydramine is 60 hours; if the pilot uses it routinely, the FAA's table says the examiner should defer. Both documents are quoted.
Show the FAA's words: PM pain productsThe 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
Advil PM
Tylenol PM
Most “PM” medications contain diphenhydramine
Read the label.
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.
ALLERGY MEDICATIONS (1st GENERATION)
Sedating Antihistamines:
Found in many over-the-counter (OTC) allergy and other types of medications, as a single agent or in any combination product.
Applies to nasal, ophthalmic, AND oral formulations.
diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
chlorpheniramine (Coricidin; ChlorTrimeton)
SEDATIVES/SLEEP AIDS
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) - Many OTC sleep aids contain diphenhydramine as the active ingredient (see sedating antihistamines above).
The wait time after diphenhydramine is 60 hours (based on maximum pharmacologic half-life)
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.