Often, divers must take prescription medications, just as others must. While there are several types of prescriptions that are OK to take when diving, neurologic drugs pose a particular challenge; that is, they often cross the blood - brain barrier, sometimes affecting a diver's ability to function safely underwater. Let's take a closer look at some of the most commonly used prescriptions in this category, in an effort to make the decision about whether to dive or not just a bit easier.
Prescription Drugs for Neurologic Conditions
There are a number of prescription drugs and medications which may be prescribed for conditions that affect the nervous system or the psyche. Often, the brain, peripheral nerves, and the spinal cord are affected by these medications.
Conditions which often call for neurologic prescriptions include:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Cancer
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Dementia
- Huntington's Disease
- Migraine Headaches
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Parkinson's Disease
- Strokes
- Tourette's Syndrome
Some of the most commonly used neurologic drugs include:
Abstral - used to treat breakthrough pain in opioid-tolerant cancer patients
Ampyra- used to improve walking function in Multiple Sclerosis patients
Botox - for treating limb spasticity
Cialis - for the treatment of erectile dysfunction
Excedrin Migraine - for treating migraine pain (OTC)
Imitrex - for treating migraine pain
Maxalt - for the treatment of severe migraine pain
Oxycodone and Oxycodone with Acetaminophen - for pain treatment
Redux - treatment for obesity
Silenor - for the treatment of insomnia
Strattera - For treating ADHD
Zomig - for the treatment of migraines
In all, there are more than 128 neurologic pain medications listed for use in the United States; other countries have even more extensive medical lexicons. Some, like aspirin and Excedrin Migraine, can be purchased over the counter and probably will not affect a person's ability to dive safely. Others can seriously alter consciousness, and diving while under the influence of these prescriptions is not safe.
How to Determine Whether a Medication is Safe to Use When Diving
In order to make a determination about whether a particular medication is safe for use while diving, you should consider the following:
- Are your physical abilities diminished at all when you take the medication in question?
- Have you ever experienced a seizure, either, while on or off the medication?
- Could the drug in question ever cause any side effects that could possibly be confused with DCS?
- Could the drug in question, or the symptoms of your condition cause side effects that might impair your judgment, your behavior, your state of awareness, or your ability to handle physical or emotional stress?
Besides engaging in honest inner dialogue when considering whether medications you are taking could pose a danger, you should talk to your doctor; and, you should find out whether your medical condition could make diving unsafe. In general, any drugs that warn against drinking alcohol or operating heavy machinery should never be taken if you plan to dive deeper than 80 feet, since some drugs might enhance the effects of nitrogen narcosis. Taking risks not only puts you in danger, it endangers your dive buddy and anyone who might have to come to your rescue; but making the right decision can keep you safe while your body recovers from illness.