Taking sedatives, such as Diazepam, will impair your ability to react in an emergency. This would put you and those around you at serious risk.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in a vein, usually in the leg. It has a higher chance of occurring on longer flights.

Sedatives, such as Diazepam, may result in you falling asleep on a flight. The lack of movement during sleep increases the risk of developing a blood clot. This can be dangerous and can even prove fatal.

See nhs.uk for further information about DVT.

The British National Formulary (BNF) is a resource used by GPs. It guides how they should prescribe medications.

The BNF states that the prescribing of sedatives, such as Diazepam, for phobias is not allowed.

If your GP were to disregard this guideline, they would be taking a legal risk.

Most people will find the effects of sedatives, such as Diazepam, calming.

But a small number of people will experience the opposite effect. Showing symptoms such as:

• Agitation

• Aggression

• Inability to withhold inappropriate or unwanted behaviours

Each of these could result in you posing a risk to yourself or other passengers. You may even face prosecution.

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Controlled medications, like Diazepam, are illegal in many countries.

If you travel with your medication you may find it taken away. Leaving you without any for your return trip.

You may also find yourself in trouble with the local police.

Treatment for the fear of flying is not part of our General Medical Services. These services are set out in the General Practice Contract that we hold with the NHS. As such, we are not obliged to prescribe for this.