What benzodiazepines are used for fear of flying?

The use of psychopharmacologic drugs can aid in the various stages of treatment during exposure therapy. Benzodiazepines, such as clonazepam, help reduce anticipatory anxiety and can enable a patient to manage fear and anxiety during the initial stages of exposure therapy [15].



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People sometimes ask the doctor or nurse to prescribe diazepam, or similar drugs like lorazepam temazepam or clonazepam, for fear of flying or to help sleep during flights. Prescribing these drugs is not recommended any more for these reasons: The Grange Practice does NOT prescript sedatives for fear of flying.

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Pharmacological treatment These drugs are usually taken shortly before a flight. They include: Anti-anxiety medication, such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax). Motion sickness medication, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine).

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While Xanax may be useful for flying on an airplane, it will not help you with your anxiety. It may help in the moment but you will not tackle your fear of flying if you are asleep the whole flight. If you ran out of your medication or left it at home, the anxiety will still exist if you go on an airplane again.

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Dosage for anxiety The typical dose is 2 mg to 6 mg, divided into two or three doses per day. For example, if your daily dosage is 4 mg, you would take 2 mg once in the morning and once in the evening.

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Dosage and strength The usual dose is: anxiety in adults – 1mg to 4mg each day. Your doctor will tell you how often you need to take it. sleeping problems in adults – 1mg to 2mg before bedtime (lorazepam will start to work in around 20 to 30 minutes)

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The two main medication classes most often prescribed are:
  • Benzodiazepines, such as the antianxiety drugs alprazolam (Xanax®), clonazepam (Klonopin®) and diazepam (Valium®).
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as paroxetine (Paxil®) or escitalopram (Lexapro®).


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People sometimes ask the doctor or nurse to prescribe diazepam, or similar drugs like lorazepam temazepam or clonazepam, for fear of flying or to help sleep during flights.

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Read on for our science-backed strategies* for how to sleep on a plane.
  1. Stay at the right temperature. ...
  2. Wear bed socks. ...
  3. Power down your devices. ...
  4. Wear a light-blocking eye mask. ...
  5. Listen to pink noise. ...
  6. Wear noise-canceling headphones or earplugs. ...
  7. Uncross legs and use footrests. ...
  8. Lean backward with proper support.


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Take a melatonin pill. That's the hormone that our bodies use to put us to sleep naturally. Pop the pill a few hours before the flight.

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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.

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