As a HIMS AME, I couldn't be more thrilled to login into the FAA's AMCS Med Express today and see this NOTAM stating three additional antidepressants will soon be approved for special issuance. This new policy goes live on 24 April 2024!
This is particularly exciting to me as I have had at least 2 patients over the last year who had their mental health condition very well controlled on duloxetine (Cymbalta), but upon attempting to change them to an FAA approved medication, their mental health declined. There are likely countless others in a similar situation or taking venlafaxine (Effexor) or desvenlafaxine (Pristiq).
Ultimately, these patients and many other will now be able to remain on their original medication and get medically certified with a special issuance.
This FAA policy change, along with many others over the last few years, continue to remove barriers for stable patients with mental health conditions to become pilots!
More to come...
Related Posts: Fitness for Flight, Mental Health & Depression
