Pharmacotherapy of Airmen in the General Practitioner’s Surgery

Overview

In recent years interest to obtain a private pilot’s licence is increasing. After the entranceexamination in the Institute for Aviation Medicine (IAM) in Prague holders of the card can havefurther regular examinations by the entrusted aviation doctor. Sometimes they attend fordifferent reasons also general practitioners who as a rule are not familiar with basic knowledgeof aviation medicine. Then it may happen that treatment is started e.g. on account of elevatedBP readings. Such a procedure may cause in private pilots unforeseen undesirable side-effectsof drugs if administered during flight, with all negative consequences in particular for the safetyof flying.In the submitted paper the author reminds of the effects of the working environment of the pilotduring flying and their effects on the action of drugs which may be modified and thusundesirable. The author reminds of the basic mechanisms of drug action which may differ inrelation to the individual health status the presence of other diseases type of flying, type ofaircraft etc. The authors present the contribution and risks of treatment of airmen based ontheir own experience as well as references based on studies implemented worldwide. Theauthors present also an outline of the algorithm of examinations and tests made in the IAM inPrague before and after the onset of treatment in case of certain chronic diseases. They mentionalso some effects of drugs undesirable from the aspect of aviation medicine. In the discussionthey compare their won experience and findings with those from other clinical departments, inparticular in the United States.In the conclusion the authors attempted to formulate principles and practical recommendationsfor general practitioners, if a private pilot visits their ambulance and they contemplatetreatment.

Key words:
working environment of the pilot - pharmacotherapy - general practitioner.