Anti-Smoking Med Banned

Less than 48 hours after FAA learned the anti-smoking medicine Chantix might lead to safety problems, it ordered pilots and air traffic controllers to stop taking it immediately. The agency took this swift action after a medical safety group, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, released the results of a study that found evidence for the occurrence of seizures, loss of consciousness, heart attacks, vision problems, and various psychiatric instabilities in individuals who use Chantix.  Approximately 150 pilots and 30 controllers are known to use the medication, although the exact number isn't known. To make sure all pilots and controllers got the word, FAA sent a notice to all registered pilots and controllers.  It also alerted all aviation medication examiners across the country and notified major pilot associations and the air traffic controllers union, NATCA. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Pfizer-made drug for sale in 2006, and the FAA first approved Chantix for pilot and controller use in July 2007. In November 2007, the FDA began to receive reports of psychiatric problems associated with the medication.