Expert Opinion
AINsight: Weight Loss Medications and Aviators
FAA does allow pilots to use newer weight loss medications without special issuance approval
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Pilots ask me near-daily whether weight loss medications are approved by the FAA. Several weight loss medications are indeed approved, with certain restrictions. In fact, there are now relatively simple protocols for the pilot and AME to follow to use them that usually permit the issuance of a medical certificate without requiring a formal application for a special issuance authorization.

Certain combinations of medications that are not as commonly used are also approvable but require a special issuance. Older generations of weight loss medications, including those with amphetamine-like properties, are not acceptable to the FAA.

Robert Sancetta, M.D.
AIN Contributor
About the author

Dr. Robert Sancetta is a former DC-10 captain with 11,000 flight hours. He has worked as a Senior AME since 1993 and is appointed as AME Consultant to the FAA Federal Air Surgeon.

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