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Depression/Anxiety requiring medication
Pilots taking antidepressants/anti-anxiety medication are disqualified, except for the 4 S.S.R.I. mediations which require a Special Issuance (see attached SSRI Special Issuance Protocol). If the mediation and the diagnosis for which it was prescribed are no longer present then a pilot may be considered for certification. Remember it is not only the medication, but what the medication was prescribed for that could be disqualifying. Initial report to the F.A.A.
A. Must be off medication for at least 60 days and have no evidence of recurrence of symptoms to be
B. Please provide a current status letter (dated within the last 90 days) from the treating physician to
include, diagnosis, medical treatment of depression or anxiety (including names and dosages of
meds), as well as how long treatment was provided, history of the illness and if any hospitalization
was required and prognosis
Robert J. Gordon, D.O.
965 S. Main
Plymouth, Michigan 48170
734-455-3530
FAX 734-455-5050
[email protected]
SSRI SPECIFICATION SHEET

The following information is required and must be submitted to your HIMS
AME:
o A personal statement detailing your history of antidepressant use and o Copies of all medical records related to your history of antidepressant use. o A current, detailed evaluation report from your treating physician attesting o Dosage of the antidepressant medication taken o Presence of any side effects experienced from any current or past o If your treating physician is not a board-certified psychiatrist, you must submit a detailed evaluation by a board-certified psychiatrist regarding your current psychiatric and behavioral status. The psychiatrist must document the review of your personal statement, medical records, and current evaluation by your treating physician.
o $CogScreen-AEWHVWLVUHTXLUHG The report must include the raw data
and all test protocols used by the examiner.
o If you held a first - or second-class airman medical certificate and flew a commercial carrier within the last 2 years, you must obtain a letter from airline management (chief pilot or designee) attesting to your competence, crew interaction, and mood (if available).
The HIMS AME must submit:
 A detailed evaluation that addresses a review of the above documents  An evaluation of your current psychiatric status  A comment regarding a recommendation for a Special Issuance certificate  A written statement agreeing to serve as your independent medical Robert J. Gordon, D.O. 965 S. Main Plymouth, Michigan 48170 734-455-3530 [email protected] SSRI Decision Path - I
After 60 days off SSRI with
Elects to
AME notes in
favorable report from treating
discontinue
Block 60 and
physician of stable mood,
use of SSRI
defers issuance
airman may apply for
regular issuance
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
or
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Elects to
continue
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Advise NOT Acceptable
use of SSRI
or
Citalopram (Celexa)?
Decision Path- II
Plymouth, Michigan 48170 734-455-3530 [email protected] SSRI Decision Path – II (HIMS AME)
Airman is on:
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Airman must
On SSRI more
•Advise must be on SSRI at least
contact HIMS AME
than 12 months?
12 months, with a stable dosage,
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
before SI consideration
•If airman elects to discontinue
Sertraline (Zoloft)
use of SSRI at this point, see
Citalopram (Celexa)
SSRI Decision Path I
Currently on multiple
•Advise NOT Acceptable
Nature of underlying
psychiatric medications
•Defer
diagnosis and the treatment
•Forward all material and
exam to AMCD for FAA
history of unacceptable
decision
diagnosis or symptoms
Acceptable diagnosis
and treatment
Airman MUST provide
HIMS AME to:
statement, evaluation
Review all material, conduct detailed evaluation,
reports, records, tests,
make recommendation regarding SI, agree to
FAA Decision
and letters as outlined
continued monitoring per FAA Policy, send
package to AMCD for review
Robert J.Gordon, D.O. 965 S. Main Plymouth, Michigan 48170 734-455-3530 [email protected] SSRI Follow Up Path
Airman with SSRI Special Issuance
First and
Third Class
Second Class
Airman must send to HIMS AME:
•Current status report from treating physician
•Psychiatric consultation status report every 6 months
Letter From airline management
every 3 months for those flying
under FAR Part 121 or 135
CogScreen-AE
CogScreen-AE
testing annually
Review by HIMS AME
testing every 2 years
FAA Decision
*Note: HIMS AME may issue if subsequent certification exam does not coincide with required neurocognitive testing and if all follow-up material is acceptable. When CogScreen is due, send records to Medical Appeals, AAM-240, Washington, DC.

SSRI Decision Path – II (HIMS AME)

Source: http://www.pilotdr.com/depression2_all.pdf