I went to renew my 3rd class medical today - and got a rude awakening. I probably should have known better - but apparently an over-the-counter allergy medication that I take is on the list (which is not really published) of substances that will disqualify a medical. I take Zyrtec - cetirizine, and I only take it seasonally - of which is most of the summer for me. And I have zero side effects when doing so - like tons of other people, but apparently the FAA does not see it that way. I only started taking Zyrtec between my the time of my medicals - just now discovering that it worked better for me.

So in years past - you would show up for an interview with your AME and it he was decent he would ask you these questions and fill out the form together with you. If something would be an issue - he would stop the interview - and/or fill out the form correctly after explaining what the question really is about. Now the FAA has an online form - and you fill it out at your leisure before coming to the office - and you hit the "send" button - it's in the system and there is no correcting that the AME can do. If he opened up my file - he'd have to act on my info - and BAM deny my medical.

So even though I take Zyrtec seasonally -and although I prefer it over "non-sedating" or non-drowsy options like claritin and allegra - it works better - since I filled out the form honestly - but not entirely correctly that I does daily - I would be denied my medical and have to fight to get it re-instated. So I just got myself educated on allergy meds. If I had put on the form that I take the medication seasonally (which is correct but not what I put on the form out of ignorance) I could have had a note put on the form by the AME and gotten my medical with a statement informing me that I had to wait 72 hours after dosing to fly and I am not allowed to take it "daily."

I don't take nor have ever considered benadryl because a) it doesn't help my allergies and b) it really does make me drowsy. Zyrtec has never made me drowsy in any way. Guess what - if you ever take benadryl or pseudoephedrine as a sleep aid for occasional sleeplessness - you are not allowed to fly for 5 times the dosage period - something like 2 days. I didn't know that either.

So I guess I have a point to raise and a question. First the point:

Double check any and _every_ over the counter meds you take with the FAA. Of course there is no published list - search the FAA web site for cetirizine or Zyrtec and you will find nothing. Only mention of ones that are okay and mention that sedating antihistimines are not. Make sure you go over your answers with your AME before you hit the send button - even if it takes two trips to do it because you want to make sure you answer these questions correctly to avoid any hassle. I also think this is a good argument to have an AME as a primary care physicican - to help you navigate these waters before you are in them. Okay maybe there was a couple of points in there...

I guess we are supposed to start here:

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/pharm/antihist/

Since LSA and medical exemption proposed operations fall under 61.53b - it would seem to me that they can take a medication like Zyrtec, but anyone operating under a 3rd class medical cannot. Am I reading that right? LSA pilots can take meds if it doesn't make them drowsy (self certifying) - but private pilots cannot.

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2005-title14-vol2/xml/CFR-2005-title14-vol2-sec61-53.xml

In my case - I now have to go off the more effective meds which don't have any side effects and use a less effective medication and deal with more distracting primary symptoms of my allergies. Thank you FAA for keeping us safe. ;-(

Are there any AMEs here?

I feel for ya....went through something simular several months back. Couldn't fly for 6 weeks and $2500.00 of test later............. hocus pocus.............all better now.
#1 never go to an AME that's not a pilot.
#2 Make sure you see your primary doctor within 60 days of your 3rd class so all your test stay valid or you will have to redo them.
#3 do as much research on line as you can on any meds
#4 there are certain foods you should avoid eating several days prior to your blood test
#5 stop in and quiz you AME prior to your exam on any doubts you may have.

good luck

If you have any questions about your medical, contact Dr. Bruce Chien. The man is amazing - frequents the Medical Issues forums on PoA and AOPA. I'll be travelling up to Peoria the end of this month for my Special Issuance. It would have been a nightmare without his guidance - was tough enough to gather the documentation with his direction.

As SA wrote above tho' - once you hit "send" on that online medical application, you're stuck. Talk to Dr. Bruce first, either by email or posting at PoA - the Medical forum there accepts "unregistered" posts if you want to remain anonymous.

I did my 3rd class on the 10th. I needed a special waiver for sleep apnea. I started that process with my AME, who is a pilot, 6 weeks ago. He requested me to bring a recent assessment from my doctor to show compliance and success with the prescribed treatment. The AME forwarded all that to the DISTRICT Faa which he said can do a fast track through OK City rather than get thrown in the big pile. I then got a call back from the AME's office when they received indication of Faa approval for the waiver the week before I went for my physical. If it wasn't getting approved I wasn't showing for the physical. AFTER getting the good word back I went online and did my application.
My AME said that most sleep apnea waivers are granted for 3rd class if prescribed treatments are followed but I was taking no chances. I do preflight checks before flying and now I will do one before my physical.

I know, I know, this post is not about sleep apnea, but it is about helping each other with procedure.

Might just add that I'd recommend against pseudoephedrine as a sleep aid!