Fear of Flying

Why We Don’t Prescribe Diazepam for Fear of Flying

The Lodge Health Partnership has decided not to give out Diazepam (a medicine) to people who are scared of flying. Here are the reasons why:

1. It Could Be Dangerous in an Emergency

Diazepam makes you feel sleepy and relaxed. If something goes wrong on the plane, it might make it harder for you to focus, follow instructions, or react quickly. This could put you and others in danger.

2. It Can Increase the Risk of Blood Clots

When you take Diazepam, it can make you fall asleep in a way that isn’t like natural sleep. This means you don’t move around as much. Not moving for a long time, especially on flights over 4 hours, can increase the chance of getting a blood clot in your leg or lung. Blood clots can be very serious and even life-threatening.

3. It Might Have the Opposite Effect

While most people feel sleepy after taking Diazepam, some people feel the opposite. They might become angry or restless. Diazepam can also make people behave in ways they normally wouldn’t, which could cause problems on the plane and even with the law.

4. Doctors Aren’t Allowed to Prescribe It for Phobias

Rules for doctors say that medicines like Diazepam shouldn’t be given for fears, like fear of flying. They are only allowed for short-term use in big anxiety problems. If you feel this way, you should get proper support for your mental health instead of flying.

5. It Could Be Illegal in Some Countries

Some countries don’t allow Diazepam. If you take it with you, it could be taken away, or you could get in trouble with the police.

6. It Could Affect Drug Tests

Diazepam stays in your body for a long time. If you have a job that does random drug tests, you might fail the test because of the medicine.