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Anti-Smoking Drug Won't Fly With Pilots

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The Associated Press

Published: May 22, 2008

NEW YORK - Pfizer Inc.'s once promising anti-smoking drug Chantix received another blow Wednesday after a nonprofit group's report about serious physical side effects prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to ban the drug's use by pilots and air traffic controllers.

The report, from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, points out hundreds of serious problems reported since the popular drug was approved in May 2006, including dizziness, loss of consciousness, seizures, and abnormal spasms and movements.

"We have immediate safety concerns about the use of varenicline Chantix among persons operating aircraft, trains, buses and other vehicles, or in other settings where a lapse in alertness or motor control could lead to massive, serious injury," the researchers said in the report.
FAA spokesman Les Dorr said the Chantix ban is effective immediately and that the agency was notifying unions representing pilots and controllers. He said the FAA is unaware of any aviation accident caused or contributed to by Chantix.

Pfizer, in a statement, reaffirmed its stand on the drug's safety and said the label already contains safety warnings about driving or operating machinery.

The report specifically cites 173 serious events described as accidental injuries, including 28 road accidents and 77 falls.

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