Plain English Meaning

Medicines that block pain or put you to sleep for medical or dental procedures. Even after they wear off, they can leave you foggy, slow, or impaired enough that flying isn't safe.

Full Definition

Drugs or agents that reduce or eliminate sensation, particularly pain, by depressing nerve function. They range from local anesthetics that numb a small area (such as those used by a dentist) to general anesthetics that produce unconsciousness for surgery. Many anesthetics, and the procedures requiring them, can leave residual effects on alertness, judgment, and coordination for hours or days afterward, making flight unsafe.

Context Anchor

Seen in FAA discussions of drugs and medical fitness to fly, especially when deciding whether a recent medical or dental procedure could affect safe pilot performance.

Derivation

From the Greek 'anaisthesia,' meaning 'without sensation' — 'an-' (without) plus 'aisthesis' (feeling). The word literally describes what these drugs do: remove the ability to .