Mental health
Tricyclic antidepressants and your FAA medical
Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)
Other names: amitriptyline, Elavil, nortriptyline, Pamelor, imipramine, Tofranil
FAA guidance
Do not issue.
Examiner
Do not issue: the examiner cannot issue a certificate
FAA label
UNACCEPTABLE
The FAA documents quoted here name the class, not this medication. Crosscheck matched it through its class: Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA).
The FAA's antidepressant table lists all tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) as unacceptable.
Track your medicationsCompare FAA documents: Tricyclic antidepressantsWhat each of the two FAA documents says, in plain wordsOpen
Its migraine medication page also lists all tricyclic antidepressants as unacceptable for migraine prevention, prohibited as a single agent or in any combination product.
Show the FAA's words: Tricyclic antidepressantsThe official FAA wording: two passages, each with its document and dateOpen
UNACCEPTABLE Antidepressant Medications (Used as a single agent or in any combination product.) — esketamine (Spravato) All tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) All monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO-I)
UNACCEPTABLE – Migraine Prevention (Prophylaxis) Use prohibited as a single agent or in any combination product. ᴓ ALL tricyclic antidepressants (TCA)