Practice Policy on Prescribing for Fear of Flying

Historically patients have been given prescriptions for diazepam with the aim of managing their fear of flying. As time has gone on, our understanding of these medicines has improved and with that the clinical policy prescribing them. As a result of reviewing guidance and best practice we will not prescribe diazepam or similar sedatives for fear of flying.

We understand that this will come as a disappointment to some patients who have come to depend on these prescriptions when travelling. Our rationale is outlined below:

1. The nature of the diazepam and similar medications act as a sedative causing sleepiness and a relaxed feeling. In event of an emergency, these effects can impair your ability to concentrate, follow instructions or react which puts yourself and other passengers at risk.
2. The sedation from these medications induces an unnatural sleep with abnormal reduced movements which could increase your risk of a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis) which are dangerous and potentially life threatening.
3. For a small proportion of people, benzodiazepines can cause the opposite intended effect resulting in aggression and disinhibition. This can put yourself and other passengers at risk.
4. National prescribing guidance does not support the use of these medicines for phobic disorders and if prescribed would be “off licence”. A doctor prescribing these for fear of flying would be taking a significant legal risk by going against these recommendations.
5. Certain countries consider these sedative medications to be illegal. They may be confiscated and the local police may take further action if you are found to to be in possession of an illegal substance.
6. Diazepam stays in your body for a prolonged period of time which can impact on your ability to drive after flying and affect drug testing screens for certain types of work.

With this is mind, we hope you understand the position we must take. For those that continue to have issues with fear of flying we strongly recommend taking a Fear of Flying Course that many airlines offer, which we know to be far more effective than prescription medications. You can find examples below:

British Airways:  https://online.flyingwithconfidence.com/

Easy Jet:  https://www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com/

Virgin:  https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/bb/en/wellbeing-and-health/flying-without-fear.html