If you have high blood pressure medication can you become an airline pilot?

Patrick asked:


I am on high blood pressure medication and I am wondering can I still become an airline pilot if my blood pressure is under control?

Rhonda
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Comments

  1. ben p
    February 17th, 2008 | 6:14 am

    Depends how bad it is, get a test done before you spend ridiculous amounts of money on lessons

  2. Warbird Pilot
    February 19th, 2008 | 1:16 pm

    It would depend on the medication. Best way to be sure is go to virtualflightsurgeon.com or get a list of AME’s from the local airport and ask the question. Failing that, you can also call the FAA’s Regional Flight Surgeon, and depending on the Region, they should answer the question.

  3. JetDoc
    February 21st, 2008 | 8:32 pm

    The condition is under control with exercise diet or some research on this before you can have high blood pressure within certain limits as it is reported to do.
    The condition is under control with exercise diet or some research on this before you need to do some research on this before you need to do some research on this before.
    An ame because once the condition is under control with exercise diet or some approved medications you need to an ame then your options are limited.

  4. Cherokeeflyer_redux
    February 22nd, 2008 | 3:55 am

    the condition in its self is not disqualifying.
    Centrally acting agents such as Guanethidine, Guanadrel, Guanabenz, Methyldopa, and Reserpine are not acceptable to the FAA.

    The following medications are FAA approved on a case by case basis:

    Alpha Blockers / Inhibitors

    * Cardura (Doxazosin)
    * Catapres (Clonidine)
    * Dibenzyline (Phenoxybenzamine)
    * Hytrin (Terazosin)
    * Micardis (Telmisartan)
    * Minipress, Minizide (Prazosin)

    Beta Blockers

    * Blocadren, Timolide (Timolol)
    * Cartrol (Carteolol)
    * Cibenzyline (Phenoxybenzamine)
    * Coreg (Carvedilol)
    * Corgard, Corzide (Nadolol)
    * Inderal, Inderide, Innopran (Propranolol)
    * Kerlone (Betaxolol)
    * Levatol (Penbutolol)
    * Lopressor, Toprol (Metoprolol)
    * Normodyne, Trandate (Labetalol)
    * Sectral (Acebutolol)
    * Tenormin, Tenoretic (Atenolol)
    * Visken (Pindolol)
    * Zebeta, Ziac (Bisoprolol)

    Calcium Channel Blockers

    * Adalat, Procardia (Nifedipine)
    * Caduet (Amlodipine Besylate + Atorvastatin Calcium)
    * Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac (Diltiazem)
    * Cardene (Nicardipine)
    * Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Veralan, Tarka (Verapamil)
    * DynaCirc (Isradipine)
    * Norvasc, Lotrel (Amlodipine)
    * Plendil, Lexxel (Felodipine)
    * Posicor (Mibefradil)
    * Sular (Nisoldipine)

    Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors

    * Aceon (Perindopril Erbumine)
    * Accupril (Quinapril)
    * Altace (Ramipril)
    * Capoten, Capozide (Captopril)
    * Lotensin (Benazepril)
    * Mavik (Trandolapril)
    * Monopril (Fosinopril)
    * Prinivil, Prinzide, Zestril, Zestoretic (Lisinopril)
    * Univasc, Unitrec (Moexipril)
    * Vasotec, Vaseretic (Enalapril)

    Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists

    * Atacand (Candesartan)
    * Avapro, Avalide (Irbesartan)
    * Benicar (Olmesartan Medoxomil)
    * Benicar HCT (Olmesartan Medoxomil + Hydrochlorothiazide)
    * Cozaar, Hyzaar (Losartan)
    * Diovan (Valsartan)
    * Micardis (Telmisartan)

    Diuretics

    * Aldactone, Aldactazide (Spironolactone)
    * Bumex (Bumetanide)
    * Camadex, Demadex (Torsemide)
    * Diuril, Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, Oretic, Enduron (Thiazides)
    * Dyazide, Maxzide, Moduretic (Combinations)
    * Dyrenium (Triamterene)
    * Lasix (Furosemide)
    * Lozol (Indapamide)
    * Mykrox (Metolazone)
    * Zaroxolyn, Mykrox (Metolazone)