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Waiting period after a new medication

Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice question 17 of 20 on Operations / Physiology. ACS element UA.V.E.K3 · difficulty: applied. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONA remote pilot takes the first dose of a new over-the-counter medication at 8:00 a.m. on Monday. Following the guidance in the Remote Pilot Study Guide, what is the earliest the pilot should fly?

  1. A8:00 a.m. on Wednesday
  2. B8:00 a.m. on Tuesday
  3. C8:00 a.m. on Thursday, after the second dose
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday

  • A — correct The study guide advises waiting at least 48 hours after the first dose of any new medication, over-the-counter or prescribed, before flying. Forty-eight hours after 8:00 a.m. Monday is 8:00 a.m. Wednesday.
  • B — incorrect That is only 24 hours after the first dose; the study guide's waiting period is at least 48 hours.
  • C — incorrect The guidance is 48 hours after the first dose, not 72 hours or a set number of doses.

BACKGROUND

The Remote Pilot Study Guide states that the Federal Aviation Regulations include no specific references to medication usage, but part 107 and §§ 91.17 and 91.19 prohibit the use of any drug that affects a person's faculties in any way contrary to safety. Virtually all medications have the potential for adverse side effects in some people. For the medication component of the IMSAFE self-assessment, pilots should ask whether they are taking anything that might affect judgment or cause drowsiness. For any new medication, over-the-counter (OTC) or prescribed, the guide says to wait at least 48 hours after the first dose before flying to determine that there are no adverse side effects.

STUDY TIP

Convert the 48-hour rule into calendar terms: same clock time, two days later.

KEY POINTS

  • Wait at least 48 hours after the first dose of any new medication before flying.
  • The rule applies to both OTC and prescription drugs.
  • The purpose is to detect adverse side effects before operating.

SOURCES

  • remote_pilot_study_guide.txt ch9 "Drugs"
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MORE ON OPERATIONS / PHYSIOLOGY

SkyDrill is not affiliated with the FAA. This is an original practice item based on 14 CFR part 107, 14 CFR part 89, and the FAA Remote Pilot – Small UAS Study Guide (FAA-G-8082-22). Regulations and handbooks are revised; confirm details against the current edition.