Expert Opinion
AINsight: Benefits of Weight Loss Medications for Pilots
Taking weight loss medicines can avert the long process of dealing with the FAA in cases of heart disease or diabetes
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In my August 2024 blog, I began a discussion of the FAA’s recent approval of a number of prescription weight loss medications. These medications can generally be used for pilots without necessitating a special issuance authorization to do so.

There are some restrictions, of course, but for the most part, the protocols are relatively straightforward and easy to comply with. Once initiating an acceptable medication, while the FAA typically requires a two-week stabilization period before a pilot resumes flight status or the AME issues a medical certificate, the good news is that there will be no extended period of grounding while an interminable wait for FAA review drags on.

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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