What medication calms you down on a plane?

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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Two types of medication often used to reduce travel-related anxiety are benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). 1 Benzodiazepines reduce anxiety fairly quickly by slowing the central nervous system while SSRIs take a bit longer to work as they block serotonin reabsorption.

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Official answer. Ativan and Xanax are both benzodiazepines used for the treatment of anxiety, and both are equally effective for this use. The differences are: Xanax has a quicker onset of effect, but a shorter duration of action (4 to 6 hours) compared with Ativan's 8 hours.

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Practice Relaxation Techniques Practice other relaxation techniques in advance as well. These strategies may help you let go of anxiety and remain more tranquil throughout your next flight. Exercises that you can practice beforehand include deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), and meditation.

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Anxiety About Flying with Dr Jennifer Grant Xanax is one of the more commonly prescribed benzodiazepines to help with anxiety before medical procedures or long-haul flights.

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Intended use: Most over-the-counter medications that you might take for anxiety, such as antihistamines, while approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe, have not been approved for alleviating symptoms of anxiety.

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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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If you suffer from allergies, consider a non-sedating antihistamine instead, such as loratadine (Claritin®) or fexofenadine (Allegra). Claritin and Allegra do not have wait times (after the initial ground trial).

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If you're sleeping on a plane, you can't actively work to relax those muscles and release the tension, so you can become susceptible to dizziness, ear infections, eardrum damage, hearing loss and nose bleeds. Wondering about some other health issues flying could cause? Take a look at the dirtiest places in an airport.

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Following a review of prescribing safety at the GP Practice, our new policy is to no longer prescribe benzodiazepines or sedatives (such as diazepam) to patients for fear of flying.

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Dramamine is an over-the-counter preventative drug that can help with motion sickness while flying. Although this medication can cause severe drowsiness, it can help you sleep through your flight instead of feeling the unfortunate common symptoms.

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