James, good point. The meds a capt/mate *isn't* taking (but should be) may be more of a hazard than the ones he is taking, whether disclosed to the doc or not. That's what the FAA just recognized for aircraft pilots.
NVIC 04-08 is the (very long) bible for this stuff. Encl 3 is the long list (use the index on p.3 for quick reference) of all the medical conditions requiring "further review" (meaning probably an outside consult or a specific note from your doc.). And Encl 4 (only 3 pages long) lists the medications that may either disqualify you (illegal drugs), or will require a waiver. Chief among the waivable prescription meds are antidepressants (just like the FAA will also now waive too), anticonvulsants, barbiturates, some sleeping pills, and benzodiazepines (like xanax, valium, etc). But there may be some restriction, like you can't take benzo drugs within X days of operating a vessel. It's all in the NVIC.
Here's the link to the NVIC:
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Also on the CG web site is an circular called "Instruction Guide to the Physical Exam Report", which has a sample form already filled out by a sample doctor--very useful if your doc hasn't filled out the report before.
None of this is short reading, but if you know what med conditions you have, this NVIC will pretty much tell you in advance what will cause "further review" or not, and what is waivable or not. this beats trying to secretly "tough-out" something you should've got treated for, and is waivable if you do get treated.
If you're taking some meds, as many older renewers do, you should read this thing over about 6 months before your license expiration date. It will tell you what you should have looked at, and any outside doctor appointments or tests you might need, and you can give the pertinent pages to your doc to help arrange the referrals. And you'll need at least two appointments with your regular doc, one to take the physical, and the second to collate any of the outside tests/consults and include them, and to fill out the CG-719K form.
Yeah, it's a pain in the neck, but if you follow the NVIC, you'll only have to send it all in once, not twice or three times, and there shouldn't be any bounce-back surprises, which are a much bigger pain in the neck.
