Pharmacology

Question 1

Aviation risk factors for alcohol and other drugs

Answer 1

Easy access
Duty free
Peer pressure 
To be social
Stress relief
Squadron cultures
Absences from home
Lack of supervision
Sleep disturbance
Long/irregular working hours

Question 2

Alcohol effects on the body

Answer 2

Elimination/excretion: 90% metabolised in liver. 2-10% via lungs, urine, faeces and sweat

Reduced hypoxia intolerance

Acute
- disinhibition, CNS despression, diuretics, impaired psychomotor performance, poor judgement, unconsciousness, possibly death, warm flushed skin.

Chronic
- gastri irritation/bleeding, coagulopathy, nutritional deficiencies, overweight/obesity, tolerance, dependence and withdrawal, cirrhosis, sexual dysfunction, epilepsy, cardiomyopathy, depression and foetal risk

Question 3

Aeromedically significant effects of alcohol

Answer 3

Acute intoxication
- vestibular disturbance, disorientation, Nystagmus, poor psychomotor control, poor reaction times, dehydration, hypoglycaemia, hypoxia.

Longer term

• Medical consequences and fitness to fly
• mental health Co-morbidities, suicide risk

Question 4

Consideration for aircrew for medication especially hypnotics

Answer 4

Persistence of effect 
Residual sequelae
Preserve normal sleep patterns
Lowest dose
Infrequently as possible

Question 5

General rule for hypnotic use

Answer 5

One dose ground trail for 48 hr before duty
Not for more than 3 consecutive days
Not more than 20 days in 60

Question 6

Aeromedical disposition for Nicotine replacement

Answer 6

Nicotine gum and patches
Ground trail of 48 hrs
TMUF after each use

nothing else approved

Question 7

Temazepam

• problems
• side effect
• interactions

Answer 7

Problems

• physical and psychological dependence
• tolerance
• not in pregnancy

SIde effect

• dizziness
• sedation
• headache
• ataxia

Interactions
- sedatives, alcohol, antihistamines, analgesics

Question 8

Zolpidem
Problems
side effect
interaction

Answer 8

Problems
- dependence, tolerance, withdrawal, rebound insomnia

Side effect: rage, hallucination, nightmares, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea

Interaction: alcohol, benzodiazepines, antihistamines, narcotics, sedative