Keep On Truckin’… But Not While On Chantix
3 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // May 23rd, 2008 // 10:33 am
First, we’re told we can’t fly our planes if we’re also using Chantix to quit smoking. Now, we can’t drive our rigs, either. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a warning that advises medical examiners “to not qualify anyone currently using this medication for commercial motor vehicle licenses,” according to The Wall Street Journal.
The move follows a study by the Institute of Safe Medication Practices that found a host of side effects linked to Pfizer’s quit-smoking pill - serious accidents and falls, potentially lethal cardiac rhythm disturbances, severe skin reactions, acute myocardial infarction, seizures, diabetess, psychosis, aggression and suicide. The FMCSA, by the way, oversees interstate trucking and bus activity.
In all the study, linked Chantix to nearly 1,000 serious adverse events. Just hours after the study was released two days ago, the Federal Aviation Administration banned the drug for pilots and air traffic controllers. So far, though, the FDA, which previously issued health advisories about psychiatric side effects, such as suicide, hasn’t taken any additional action.
Laurie
But it’s just fine for the general population? Scary!
Paula
I just endured the worst 7 weeks of my life on this poison. I seriously understand why truckers and pilots are banned from taking this medication.
Jennifer
This drug is NOT safe for the general public. It was okay to let it only hurt or kill a few smokers but now that the danger applies to non smokers maybe the “real safety” of this drug will be seriously reviewed. Or will it take someone committing a mass homicide to really get big pharma and their FDA badmates to pay attention?