Cross-Sectional Analysis of Commonly Prescribed Medications in Military Aviation

Medication use by naval aviators, either prescription or over-the-counter, is not always relayed to the flight surgeon, resulting in unsafe flying environments. Many medications have debilitating effects that prohibit their use during aviation. Education and availability of resources on approved medications for flight status personnel is lacking.

A retrospective search of the Department of Defense Composite Health Care System (DoD CHCS) was conducted from five geographic locations. Basic epidemiological information was obtained to determine the most common medications (N = 70) prescribed to active-duty flight status personnel. Analysis determined their medication category, flight status designation, and a generalized location comparison. A similar control medication list for nonflight status personnel was generated from one location.

Analysis found that many medications prescribed to aviators are not approved for use in aviation and are similar to those of nonflight status personnel. There were 8 of the top 15 (53%) and 40 of the 70 (57%) most commonly prescribed medications of flight status personnel which were not approved. Similarly, 49% of total prescriptions (N = 15,652) were not approved. Little difference was found in medications among nonflight and flight status personnel, as 11 of the top 15 prescription medications (73%) were identical.

This research demonstrates the need for education regarding certain medications and their prohibited use during flight. Results will provide the Flight Surgeon common medications prescribed to aviators to aid them in providing a safer flying environment.Ropp LG, Haight SP, Prudhomme MB, Ropp EL. Cross-sectional analysis of commonly prescribed medications in military aviation. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2017; 88(12):1129-1133.