We understand that many people feel anxious about flying. If you’re a nervous flyer, you may wonder whether medication such as diazepam could help. However, as a practice, we do not prescribe sedatives for fear of flying.
Why don’t we prescribe sedatives for flying?
Our decision is based on patient safety and national clinical guidance.
Safety during a flight
Sedative medications can make you sleepy, slow your reactions and affect your judgement. In the unlikely event of an emergency on board, this could make it harder for you to respond quickly or follow instructions.
Increased health risks
Sedatives can make you sleep more deeply and move around less during a flight. This can increase the risk of developing a blood clot in the leg (deep vein thrombosis or DVT), particularly on longer journeys.
They can also affect breathing. Although this is usually mild, oxygen levels are lower when flying, which may make these effects more significant for some people.
Occasionally, sedatives can have the opposite effect and cause agitation, restlessness or aggression rather than relaxation.
They are not recommended for fear of flying
National prescribing guidance does not recommend benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, for specific phobias like fear of flying. They are also not recommended for short-term anxiety related to situations such as air travel.
Other considerations
- Mixing sedatives with alcohol can be dangerous.
- Some countries have strict rules about carrying sedative medications, and they may be illegal to import.
- These medications can be habit-forming if used repeatedly.
- Prescriptions issued in the UK may not be covered by medical indemnity for use abroad.
What can help instead?
There are several effective ways to manage fear of flying:
- Fear of flying courses run by airlines, combining education about flying with techniques to manage anxiety.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which has been shown to help people overcome specific phobias.
- Relaxation and self-help techniques such as controlled breathing, listening to music, reading, puzzles or mindfulness exercises.
- Letting cabin crew know that you are a nervous flyer, as they are often experienced in supporting anxious passengers.
Useful resources
- easyJet Fearless Flyer
- https://flyingwithconfidence.com/
- Flying Without Fear
Need more support?
If your anxiety is severe, affects other areas of your life, or you feel it may be part of a broader mental health condition, please book an appointment with a GP. We would be happy to discuss the most appropriate and effective support options with you.
Thank you for your understanding. We appreciate that fear of flying can be very distressing, and our aim is to support you with the safest and most effective approaches available.
