At Compass House Medical Centres, we do not routinely prescribe diazepam or other sedative medications for:
- Fear of flying or travel anxiety
- Sleep during flights or travel
- Anxiety associated with routine dental treatment
- MRI scans, CT scans or other planned procedures
- Situations where sedation is requested solely to relieve anxiety
Why do we not prescribe diazepam for these situations?
Diazepam and similar medicines are sedatives that can cause:
- Reduced awareness and concentration
- Slower reaction times
- Excessive drowsiness
- Impaired judgement
- Breathing difficulties in some individuals
- Agitation or behavioural changes in a small number of people
- Dependence and withdrawal symptoms with repeated use
Sedative medications can also reduce movement during prolonged travel.
Reduced mobility is a recognised risk factor for developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), particularly during long-haul flights.
Flying Anxiety
The British National Formulary (BNF) advises that benzodiazepines are not generally appropriate for the treatment of phobic states, including fear of flying.
Fear of flying is not generally considered a condition requiring NHS medical treatment and does not form part of the core services that general practice is commissioned to provide under the NHS General Medical Services (GMS) contract.
Many airlines offer dedicated fear-of-flying courses which provide practical support and long-term coping strategies.
Medical and Dental Procedures
Where sedation is considered necessary for a procedure, scan or dental treatment, this should normally be assessed and arranged by the clinician or organisation undertaking the procedure.
These teams are best placed to assess whether sedation is appropriate and to provide any monitoring required to ensure patient safety.
If you are concerned that anxiety or claustrophobia may affect your ability to undergo a procedure, please contact the hospital department, radiology service, dentist or clinician arranging your treatment.
Alternative Support
We recognise that anxiety relating to flying, travel and medical procedures can be distressing.
Non-medication approaches are often safer and more effective, including:
- Breathing and relaxation techniques
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- NHS Talking Therapies
- Fear-of-flying courses
- Mindfulness and anxiety management programmes
Clinical Discretion
There may occasionally be exceptional circumstances where a prescribing clinician determines that an alternative approach is clinically appropriate.
Any such decision will be made on an individual basis following assessment of the risks and benefits for that patient.
Our Commitment
Compass House Medical Centres is committed to safe, evidence-based prescribing.
Our approach reflects current national guidance and aims to ensure that patients receive the most appropriate and safest care for their individual circumstances.
