AOPA's medication database searchable by trade or generic drug name

AOPA's medication database searchable by trade or generic drug name

Spring is on the way, and for pilots who have allergies, that means fighting off the sniffling, sneezing, and itchy eyes with medication. But how do you know which ones you can take and still be able to fly?

Just look it up in AOPA's searchable database of drugs verified by the FAA—and now you can search by the trade or generic name of the drug.

"The addition of the ability to search by a drug's generic name is a great benefit for our members," said Gary Crump, AOPA director of medical services. "Doctors are prescribing the generic version of medications more and more, and now it will be easier for members to find out if those medications will interfere with their flying privileges."

There are more than 350 drugs in AOPA's searchable database that the FAA has marked as acceptable or disqualifying. The online database is the most comprehensive in the industry. The list can be searched not only by drug name, but also by drug classification and indications for usage, so a medication can be found easily and quickly.

"While the FAA does not have an official list of allowed medications, the agency has worked with AOPA's medical specialists to verify each of the drugs listed in our database," Crump said. "We only add a new medication to the list when we have received the OK from the FAA."

To learn more about the medication, the condition that it treats, or what paperwork the FAA will require at your next flight physical, click on the "complete writeup" icon on the right side of the drug list. This will take you directly to AOPA's medical subject reports.

You can also use AOPA's TurboMedical, an interactive medical application form, to find out if any medications you are taking are disqualifying or require a letter from your doctor for your next flight physical.

When you submit your list of medications, TurboMedical will return results for any of the medications that are listed in the AOPA database and provide a description of whether the medication is allowed by the FAA.

If you are taking a medication that is not listed in the database, contact the medical specialists in AOPA's Pilot Information Center weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 800/USA-AOPA.

March 16, 2006