Drugs for fear of flying

[kahunabean]

What's a good drug to combat anxiety in the air ? I hate flying but I do a fair amount for work. I'm a brit living in the US and I think you can get some pretty groovy drugs over the counter here. But now I need to know what to ask for ! All good suggestions much appreciated !

[OBonio]

Beer.  Lots of it.  Other than that, I've heard of Xanax.  Not sure if it's prescription based or not though.  I think it's for longer term sufferers aswell, as opposed to quick relief.

 

< P>I'd go for the beer ;o)

[RAYMAN]

my wife had a fear of flying for years after a bad experience but now she wants to go flying here there and everywhere.Her cure was hypnotherapy two sessions plus a temazepam and a shot of brandy

[natalie_1982]

I've heard of using diazapam (sp?)

[andy hughes]

Temazepam or Diazepam - I think the only difference is in brand naming - are the drug you need. 5mg an hour before you fly and you'll be perfectly relaxed. Don't do too much for the day after, and get a good night's sleep, and after that, you'll be back to normal. I have no fear of lying, but i used to have dental phobia, and I'm not talking fear of pain, I'm talking being unable to get in the building, never mnind upstairs, into the room, and into the chair! 5mg of Temazepam, and I was fine, so if your phobia is on a similar level, I can confirm that you'll be fine.

[Ouisch]

Xanax is very much a prescription drug here in the US.  As far as over-the-counter drugs, I found that taking a Dramamine (available OTC for motion sickness) on an empty stomach makes one pleasantly drowsy.  Add a cocktail to the mix, and I, for one, actually enjoyed my flight.

[el duerino]

eh? just conquer your fear of flying. drugs treat symptoms, not causes.

[sumting]

andy hughes: Temazepam is prescribed for sleeping problems, and will make the user extremely drowsy. Diazepam (brand name Valium) is famed for it's calming properties, though also somewhat addictive if taken regularly.

I'm not sure about their status in the US, but in the UK both are prescription drugs.

I used to take Diazepam for long haul travel (I also hate flying) and it's calming properties certainly did the trick. Also, as it's not a sleeping pill (though in higher doses can cause the user to drop off), I didn't suffer the inevitable hangover that can be expected from other drugs such as Temazepam.