The FAA has expanded the list of antidepressants potentially allowed for pilots with three relatively common drugs. Now on the “conditionally approved” list are duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor) and desvenlafaxine (Pristiq). A special issuance is required for active pilots to maintain their medicals. The change took effect April 24 and was covered in an update to the AME Guide.
All three drugs are serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and all are prescribed for depression and anxiety. The work by increasing the activity of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.
