Concerta And Flying

[Evilbob]

Hello,

My girlfriends son is hopefully going to be flying with air cadets on Sunday. He currently takes 54mg of Concerta each day for ADHD.

Does anybody know of any side effects or reasons why he won't be able to fly whilst taking this medication?

TIA

Evilbob

[Speed bird 002]

That is not a good sight. As far as i understand, ADHD is a medical disorder and the symptoms are those which are highly not desireable in a pilot. For example, Difficulty in organising, being easily distractable, Blurting out remarks or words which are not thought of before, not listening when spoken to, difficulty sustaining attention, poor attention to instructions etc...
These symptoms are highly dangerous when operating in a Multi Crew environment. I dont think it will be difficult for your girlfriend's son to fly while being instructed but there is no way (please research through CAA, this is my opinion) he will be able to fly solo with the conditions he has.
I think you should distract his attention towards a career as a commercial pilot if he has a view in becoming one because, its highly unlikely he would be able to meet class 1 medical standards, hence wouldnt be able to gain a commercial license.
everything i have said is entirely my own opinion and reflects nothing published by CAA. I am just giving you my own view of his condition towards flying and like i'v said before, you should contact CAA.
Hope that helps.
Hayder.

"The most common adverse events reported in children receiving up to 54 mg were headache, upper respiratory tract infection and abdominal pain."

Reference: http://www.concerta.net/html/concerta/learn/science.jsp?

[gingernut]

Hi Evil, how's he feeling at the moment, how long has he been on the meds, has he felt well on them so far, and what type of flying is he doing?

[Hawk]

Evilbob, there is unlikely to be a problem with your girlfriends son flying with air cadets on Concerta medication as he will be under supervision.
What I think he needs to be sure of, is the impact of this medication on his future, should he decide to go into aviation as a career. Previous poster has already suggested a potential problem and details the issues.

Quick call to your civilan regulatory authority will give a policy answer. If he decides to go down the military flying route, he may have to go through a drawn out process before he gets an answer.

Gingernut quite rightly asks legitimate questions in terms of his current situation. Nevertheless, Concerta medication will have to be declared if he decides to fly as a professional. either civil or military. Even if he is not currently on the medication, if he has a history of prescription, no matter how young, he will be further investigated.

[Evilbob]

Thanks for info. I don't think he is interested in a flying career and hopefully this won't lead him down that particular path because I'm sure you are absolutely right about the likelyhood of getting a Class 1. And I am also aware that the military were not accepting ADHD sufferers at all (flying or not).

My girlfriend did attempt to contact the SRG medical dept at Gatwick. All she got was the automated system, and they can't discuss medical matters through email. They left an alternative number but by then it was too late!

My main concern was just the side effects he might experience during flight.

The medication works very well. He still has the odd "bad day", but on the whole his concentration is much improved and as a result his school work is far better. The problem is we don't really want to send him with out it. Before being on the medication, concentration was poor and he had an inability to stop himslef fiddling with anything close at hand or hear everything you said to him. Not a good combination in any aircraft.

Thanks again for all of your replies, they have been most helpful.

[gingernut]

I'm wondering if we're at cross swords.

I'm assuming your son will be a passenger in a light aircraft.

If this is the case, the best person to discuss his care with, would be the instructor and his specialist.

Whilst not wanting him to miss out on the joy of bimbling about at 1500 feet, it sounds like you have some concerns yourself- I wonder if his trip could be postponed until you've sought clarification.

[Evilbob]

I appreciate I didn't answer your question fully so I will try again: He will be flying in one of the AEFs Tutors. We are situated in an AIAA and the tutors tend to fly at higher altitudes away from said bimblers (and FJs during the week).

Regarding the medication: he has been on it for just over a year. Initially he suffered from nausea, although that soon faded. Now he just has a lack of appetite. So there are no major problems there.

Your previous post got me thinking, and all in all I don't think they are any immediate concerns

As you rightly say, he will be in the hands of an instructor and I think the best course of action will be to make sure the instructor is informed so he or she can keep an eye on him, or make the descision as to whether the flight should go ahead. Ultimately, the PICs descision is final.

[Evilbob]

The flight went ahead (he infact flew twice). It apparently included loops and barrell rolls, with no problems.

Any reactions to medication will obviously depend on the indiviual concerned, but hopefully this info will prove useful to someone in the future.

[Hawk]

That's very nice that it was an enjoyable flight and so it should have been. But, I think you are missing what has been previously stated in that his flying on a medication in a controlled environment is not the issue.

The issue is the condition the medication was prescribed for. This will be picked up on an iinitial Class 1 medical.

[gingernut]

Is he going to take a class I medical ?

I can't find anything in your post's suggesting this.

Are you privy to something I'm not Hawk?