Chantix (Anti-Smoking Drug): Serious side effects such as Depression, Suicidal thoughts, Aggression, Possible Psychosis - Banned for Persons Operating Vehicles and Heavy Machinery
http://www.theindiapost.com/?p=1931May 25th, 2008 By News Team Category: Health Dr. Avnish Jolly,25 May:On last Thursday, according to the Wall Street Journal reports to not qualify anyone currently use this medication for commercial motor vehicle licenses. The findings of the study were posted online because its co-author Curt Furberg, a Wake Forest University Medical epidemiologist, thought the findings too important to submit to a medical journal, which could take six months or more to publish.
On Friday, patients using Chantix were warned to stop taking it and to immediately call their health care providers if they experience agitation, depression, behavior changes or suicidal thoughts.
The report linked Chantix to 988 serious events in the last quarter of 2007 alone. The drug, made by Pfizer, was approved in 2006 for sale in the U.S. and the European Union. Sales of the drug were $883 million last year and an estimated 6.5 million people have used it worldwide. The dramatic decisions follow a report by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, a non-profit watchdog group based in Horsham, Pa., which warns against “use of Chantix among persons operating aircrafts, trains, buses and other vehicles, or in other settings where a lapse in alertness or motor control could lead to massive, serious injury.”
Following the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision to ban use of anti-smoking drug Chantix by pilots and air controllers on Wednesday, now it is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s turn to warn against the medicine. Since approval, Chantix has been under conflagration due to its serious side effects such as depression, suicidal thoughts, aggression, or possible psychosis. Now, the new report also found the drug responsible for potentially lethal heart rhythm disturbances, heart attack, seizures and diabetes in its users. Of special concern for those operating airplanes and trucks, there were 173 serious injuries, some resulting from traffic accidents where drivers were dizzy, mentally confused or became unconscious.
On Friday, patients using Chantix were advised to stop taking it and to immediately call their health care providers if they experience agitation, depression, behavior changes or suicidal thoughts.
