The drug Chantix, manufactured by Pfizer, is a medication used to help people stop smoking. The FDA identified an association between Chantix and serious psychiatric side effects, and requested that Pfizer add warnings about possible symptoms such as anxiety, nervousness, tension, depressed mood, hallucinations, loss of consciousness, and thoughts or attempts of suicide. It can also cause worsening of a current psychiatric illness even if that illness is currently under control, or can cause an old psychiatric illness to reoccur. T he FDA also requested that Pfizer elevate the prominence of this safety information to the warnings and precautions section of the Chantix labeling. The FDA’s Public Health Advisory can be found here.Between late 2006 and late 2007, there were 988 Chantix-related adverse events have been reported in the United States, more than any other drug during that period of time. Many of these adverse events involved diabetes, seizures, and heart problems.
Due to the reports of loss of consciousness, the Federal Aviation Administration has banned pilots and air traffic controllers from using Chantix, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will not allow interstate truck drivers to be certified if they use Chantix.
If you or a loved one have been seriously harmed as a result of taking Chantix, please contact a Chantix lawsuit attorney at Lopez McHugh today for a complimentary consultation with an experienced product liability attorney who can help you and your family recover the compensation to which you may be entitled.