Sleep
Zolpidem
Prescription sleep aid
Other names: Ambien, Ambien CR
FAA guidance
Do not fly while taking it.
Wait
24 hours
after the last dose (Ambien and Ambien CR)
If used routinely
The examiner should defer
The FAA sets a 24-hour minimum wait after Ambien and Ambien CR (zolpidem) before pilot duties, and notes that the different formulations of zolpidem have different half-lives, thus different wait times.
Track your medicationsCompare FAA documents: zolpidemWhat each of the two FAA documents says, in plain wordsOpen
If the pilot uses it routinely, the FAA's Do Not Fly table says the examiner should defer. It says occasional or limited use of sleep aids, such as for circadian rhythm disruption in commercial air operations, is allowable for pilots, and daily or nightly use of sleep aids is not allowed regardless of the underlying cause or reason.
- 24 hours after the last dose: no flying
FAA rule for sleep medication: The FAA puts all currently available sleep aids on its Do Not Fly list, prescription and over-the-counter alike, and if the pilot uses one routinely, the FAA's table says the examiner should defer. Its sleep aids page says occasional or limited use of sleep aids, such as for circadian rhythm disruption in commercial air operations, is allowable for pilots, and daily or nightly use of sleep aids is not allowed regardless of the underlying cause or reason. It also says medical conditions that chronically interfere with sleep are disqualifying regardless of whether a sleep aid is used or not. FAA, DO NOT ISSUE – DO NOT FLY Medications and general No Fly wait times
Show the FAA's words: zolpidemThe official FAA wording: two passages, each with its document and dateOpen
Required minimum waiting time after last dose before resuming pilot duties
Because of the potential for impairment, we require a minimum wait time between the last dose of a sleep aid and performing pilot duties.
The minimum required wait time after the last dose of a sleep aid is 5-times the maximum elimination half life.
Ambien, zolpidem, 24 hours. Ambien CR, zolpidem (extended release), 24 hours
NOTE: The different formulations of zolpidem have different half-lives, thus different wait times.
Occasional or limited use of sleep aids, such as for circadian rhythm disruption in commercial air operations, is allowable for pilots. Daily/nightly use of sleep aids is not allowed regardless of the underlying cause or reason.
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.