Prednisone and albuterol

[Unregistered]

I am out of town, and just developed bronchitis. I went to a nurse practitioner at Walgreens. She prescribed prednisone (20mg) and an albuterol inhaler. I do not have asthma, and have never taken either before. This is just to treat an acute condition, and I won't be refilling these prescriptions. Is this going to be a problem when I renew my 3rd class medical?

 

[poadeleted20]

That's a question you need to ask Bruce Chien, who doesn't come here any more (despite a brief visit last week, in which he said that nothing's changed so he won't be back again). You can reach him on his web site or the AOPA Forums.

 

[Fastglas]

http://www.leftseat.com/medcat1.htm

 

[James331]

Talk to a good AME like Bruce.

If you gave them your info and or your insurance card, it's going to work it's way through the system.

 

[Jim Logajan]

Just a layman, but I believe the FAA looks at both the underlying condition's effect on your ability to safely pilot an aircraft and the effect the medicine used to treat will have. I suspect acute bronchitis should not have any long term effect on your medical, as I understand these things. Chronic bronchitis, however, would require a Special Issuance (see FAA AME guide https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/app_process/exam_tech/item35/amd/copd/)

 

[TEFLONSEAN]

My father uses both of those...and has asthma.

Never been a problem for 3rd class medical. He turned 65 this year...still going strong and flys around 150-200 hrs a year.

 

[flyingron]

Someone just asked about Predisone on the red boards and Bruce said that's not an issue AFTER you are done taking it. Certainly knowing the side effects I wouldn't go anywhere near it while actually flying. Albuterol you can even fly with (provided it's for a condition that's not otherwise disqualifying).

 

[ICUDoc]

I am out of town, and just developed bronchitis. I went to a nurse practitioner at Walgreens. She prescribed prednisone (20mg) and an albuterol inhaler. I do not have asthma, and have never taken either before. This is just to treat an acute condition, and I won't be refilling these prescriptions. Is this going to be a problem when I renew my 3rd class medical?

You won't have a problem with either medication. Prednisone has some strange side-effects in some people - so self-ground until you finish it. In the absence of a precipitous recovery you may need an antibiotic.

Feel free to text me if you need to do so.

-=ICUDoc