Here's what the big fuss is about Zyban:

It's an altered-dosage form of Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin is a psych med.
Look it up... I will not delve into the pretty much well known FAA
stance on psychotropic meds - its "not no, but hell no".

Also, Wellbutrin can lower the seizure threshold in individuals. This
means that it can become easier for you to have a generalized seizure,
which in my experience, having witnessed many, is incapacitating. It may
take 10 or 15 minutes to fully regain consciousness after such an event.
Once conscious, you still are wiped out, and off your game for hours
sometimes.

If I remember what the insert on Zyban said (Never used it, just an
ER/ICU nurse/Paramedic), you take it for 2 weeks then stop smoking. This
is in keeping with what most of the psych meds out there in regards to
their pharmacokinetics: it takes time to build up to therapeutic levels,
and it takes time for them to clear your system. The scientific phrase
for this is "long half life".

As others have said, deal with AOPA's medical staff. Also, while I
cannot recommend being dishonest on your medical application, it takes
less than 2 weeks for these kinds of drugs to clear your system. There
is no routinely performed test that shows wellbutrin in your system.
(most occupational drug screens are for drugs of abuse, typically 7
substances or less: coke, MJ, benzos, barbs, pcp, opiates, amphetamine
and one other..not to mention the AME's **** tess is for protien and
sugar to screen for kidney and diabeties probs, NOT drugs)

Use it if you must, then QUIT smoking, then QUIT taking the wellbutrin..
its only for short term use in this situation anyways. A few weeks
later all should be well. In that situation, I would have little issue
with not disclosing its use.

Seven months is excessive med use for smoking cessation. A few WEEKS is
more appropriate. Quit hanging around the smokers and it will be easier
to resist the urge (I know how powerful the smoker's group can be, from
a social interaction standpoint - several colleagues missed the
interaction and picked up smoking again.

Call AOPA and find out what the legal options are, and go from there
Dave

wrote:
Hi all,

I am just about to start my private pilot training.

In fact, I have about $2000 on account and went in today to sign up for
everything.

Luckily, before signing all the papers, I stumbled on the FAA's
position that Zyban automatically disqualifies you from obtaining a
medical certificate. (I have been taking Zyban for smoking cessation
for about 7 months).

So, before signing everything; before taking lessons which would only
lead to a dead end; and before taking the medical exam, I would very
much like to know what my options are.

For example, one thing I learned today was that I had an option of
getting a sport pilot license instead of private pilot. BUT, if I had
taken the medical exam, and been disqualified due to my taking Zyban, I
would be forever unable to get a sport pilot license.

So, I don't know what to do. Should I just settle on a sport pilot
license, because since I have been taking Zyban, I am forever banned
from a private pilot license. Or maybe I can quit the Zyban for like 90
days, and THEN take the medical, and based on that duration of
abstenence (sp?) be eligible without jumping through hoops? Or,
perhaps I should just walk into the medical as-is, and see what the AME
recomends?

A note from the doctor who prescribed the Zyban taken into the AME for
the exam after how ever many days of abstenence would be required?

Sigh...

Please, any guidance with this would be very much appreciated. Kinda
frustrating that a heroine addict could EASILY lie their way into a
medical certificate. But, an honest guy who wanted to do the right
thing, and quit smoking could just as easily be permanently banned from
ever getting a private pilot license.

Thanks much!!!!!!!!