People often come to us requesting the doctor or nurse to prescribe diazepam for fear of flying or assist with sleep during flights. Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed. There are a number of very good reasons why prescribing this drug is not recommended.

Diazepam (Valium) is a benzodiazepine that is sometimes used to aid sleep or manage anxiety during flights, but in 2026, many medical professionals strongly advise against it. The primary concern is that it causes "unnatural" sleep (non-REM), which reduces the body's natural movement. On a long flight, this total immobility significantly increases the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), or life-threatening blood clots. Furthermore, if there were an in-flight emergency, being heavily sedated would impair your ability to react or follow safety instructions. In some countries, particularly in the Middle East, traveling with diazepam without a specific, translated prescription is illegal and can lead to arrest. Natural alternatives like melatonin or "fear of flying" courses are now the preferred medical recommendation.