Renewal and Prescription Meds

[Captian Alan]

What if any sleep aids are approved by USCG medical staff, I have a guy that sent renewal in and he got a letter wanting doctor to state how much and what frequency of use and prescription history.

[jdcavo]

What if any sleep aids are approved by USCG medical staff, I have a guy that sent renewal in and he got a letter wanting doctor to state how much and what frequency of use and prescription history.

There are not "approved" medications per se. The Coast Guard looks at a mariner's overall medical fitness, not simply the medications taken to manage it. Look at NVIC 04-08 (http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvic/2000s.asp#2008) under the specifric condition(s) (e.g. obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, etc.). It is possible they are asking for this information to evaluate the severity the underlying condition(s) and not ot determine if he is taking an "approved" medication. The above notwithstanding, chronic use of benzodiazepines will be problematic.