Another Drug With Newly Reported Serious Side Effects

jason_els

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So you want to stop smoking and were given Chantix.

Seemed like a good idea at the time...

The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday it would no longer permit pilots or air traffic controllers to use the smoking cessation drug Chantix, citing potential side effects that could pose a threat to the safe operation of aircraft.
The Food and Drug Administration issued a public health advisory in February, saying that some Chantix users had developed a variety of serious psychiatric symptoms, and that some had committed suicide.
An F.A.A. spokeswoman, Laura Brown, said the agency had approved the use of Chantix for airline pilots and flight controllers last year, but was notifying 150 pilots and 30 air traffic controllers known to be using it that the drug was no longer acceptable and should be discontinued.
Ms. Brown said the decision was based on emerging data on the drug, including a report from a watchdog group, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, linking Chantix to a wide array of health and safety problems. They include accidents and falls, potentially lethal heart rhythm disturbances, heart attacks, seizures, diabetes and various psychiatric disturbances.
The institute’s findings, which were based on an analysis of adverse events reported to the F.D.A., said that from May 2006 through December 2007, there were 227 reports of suicide attempts or suicides, 397 cases of possible psychosis and 525 reports of hostility or aggression. Those reports included 28 suicides and 41 mentions of homicidal thoughts, 60 cases of paranoia and 55 cases of hallucinations.
The data, the report said, “provide a strong signal” that the risks of treatment with varenicline, the active chemical in Chantix, have been underestimated. This year, Public Citizen’s Health Research Group, another consumer watchdog organization, had called for a black-box warning — F.D.A.’s strongest drug alert — on Chantix.
Chantix, made by Pfizer, was approved in 2006 for sale in this country and the European Union. Worldwide sales of the drug were $883 million last year, and an estimated 6.5 million people have used it.- The New York Times, 05/22/08


I took a full course of Chantix and am now worried that I did. It didn't do anything for me except make me smoke even more. I felt like I was on speed and being already very sensitive to caffeine, I hated every day I was on it. I'm pissed!
 

Deno

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Its crazy that the gov has there hands in all this. What is a good reason to reject a drug. I saw an add for meds for tintitius or ringing of the ears and it caused confusion nose bleeds dizziness and I forget what all. Hell do you heal someone by causing them so many other problems they forget about what they were being treaded for.
 

B_jacknapier

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The important thing to remember is that with most drugs, though there are possible side effects, the great majority of people don't get them.

Medicine is great.
 

lucky8

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interesting. my dad has been on Chantix for about 6 months. he smoked for over 30 years and has completely stopped since using the drug. but then again, a few months ago he had to go to the hospital because of an irregular heart beat. the 2 could be related, or it could be that the majority of people on Chantix are old enough to be having heart problems anyways...i don't think this report will stop me from going on it though. the benefits far outweigh the risks to me, and i know several people who have had lasting success with this drug