Aviat Space Envir Md
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Aviat Space Envir Md · Nov 2007
Medical histories of 61 aviation accident pilots with postmortem SSRI antidepressant residues.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants are popularly prescribed, but these drugs are not currently approved for use by U.S. civilian aviators. In a 2003 study, the presence of 4 SSRIs--citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, and sertraline-was reported in 61 pilot fatalities of civil aviation accidents that occurred during 1990-2001. However, it was not known whether these pilots had disqualifying psychological conditions, including depression, and had properly reported the use of the antidepressants. ⋯ These findings reconfirm that SSRIs were used by the aviators but were not reported in their last aeromedical examinations.