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ID #1029

All antidepressants are considered disqualifying once their usage is made known to the FAA. If you hold a current medical certificate and begin using antidepressants, you're required to abide by FAR 61.53, which, as amended August 4, 1997, prohibits the use of medications that makes you unable to meet the requirements for a medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation. Additionally, FAR 91.17 prohibits the use of any drug "that affects the person's faculties in any way contrary to safety". Both these regulations place the burden on the pilot to voluntarily ground him/herself if there is a medical deficiency either because of symptoms or from medication side effects. It's up to you until the FAA is notified, and notification occurs when you complete your next FAA medical application and list any medications currently being used. If the med(s) is disqualifying, the FAA will deny your application until the prohibited medication has been discontinued and you're no longer having symptoms that required the medication to be used. The FAA is currently reviewing the policy for antidepressant usage, and it is possible that, in the future, certain antidepressants might be allowed under certain circumstances.

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