Go Flight Medicine

Military Aviation

Stimulants & Sleep Aids in Military Aviation

There has been considerable controversy and discussion about Go and No-Go Pills in combat aviation. These performance enhancing medications have even been blamed for major mishaps.

By Rocky Jedick MD, MBA · · 8 min read

Go Pills

Chemical stimulants and sleeping aids have a long history of use in improving performance in military personnel. The first pharmacologic stimulant, Amphetamine, became available by prescription in 1937 and was used in WWII.

Tarnak Farm Friendly Fire Incident

In the aviation community, these meds are often known as 'Go' and 'No-Go' pills. The 2002 Tarnak Farms incident sparked controversy when pilots argued stimulants contributed to the friendly fire tragedy.

No-Go Pills

In the USAF, three sleep aids (temazepam, zolpidem, & zaleplon) and two stimulants (dextroamphetamine & modafinil) are approved for certain aircrew in particular operational situations.

Medical Studies on Sleep Aids

Studies have found that zolpidem shows no residual effects on daytime wakefulness and could be considered for operational use.

Medical Studies on Stimulants

Studies on deployed F-15 Strike Eagle aircrew found stimulants decreased in-flight and postflight fatigue without significant differences in postflight symptoms.

See also: Strategies to Combat Fatigue Without Prescription Medications

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