The FDA has received a number of adverse event reports involving serious accidents and falls which resulted in a severe personal injury or death among users of Chantix, a stop smoking drug sold by Pfizer.
Side effects of Chantix could impact an individuals alertness or motor control, potentially leading to a catastrophic injury.
The law firm of Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. was previously evaluating potential Chantix injury lawsuits for individuals who have suffered a severe accident or fall, which may have occurred as a result of a sudden:
- Seizure
- Loss of Consciousness or Blackout
- Muscle Spasm
- Vision Problem
- Hallucination, Paranoia or Psychosis
- Heart Problem
Potential cases for suicides on Chantix were also being reviewed by our law firm, but new cases are no longer being accepted. As of 2013, most of the Chantix lawsuits filed throughout the United States have been settled.
CHANTIX SEIZURE SIDE EFFECTS: ACCIDENTS AND FALLS
As a result of concerns about the association between accidents and Chantix, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Chantix ban in May 2008, which restricts all pilots and air traffic controllers from using the anti-smoking drug. In addition, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has advised medical examiners that individuals taking Chantix should not qualify for a commercial motor vehicle license to operate vehicles like a truck or bus.
The Institute for Safe Medicine Practices performed an analysis of adverse event reports received by the FDA between May 2006 and December 2007, during the 18 months right after Chantix was introduced. They found at least 173 reports of serious accidental injuries, including 28 road accidents and 77 falls. The consequences of the accidents were often severe, with reports of fractures and potentially life-threatening injuries.
A number of other health concerns were identified by the consumer advocacy group, which raises safety concerns for users of Chantix driving a car or operating heavy machinery:
- Vision Disturbances and Blindness:: The FDA has received at least 148 reports of vision problems, including 26 indicating transient or other forms of blindness
- Movement Disorders: There were 372 reports of abnormal muscle spasms, twitching, tics and other motor hyperactivity which could cause a driver to lose control of a vehicle.
- Seizures: At least 85 cases of sudden convulsions or seizures were identified among users of Chantix.
- Heart Problems: About 224 reports of serious adverse events were classified as cardiac rhythm disturbances, mainly consisting of reports of sudden loss of consciousness. Other problems included reports of heart attacks and abnormal heart rhythms.
- Psychiatric Side Effects: Over 1,000 reports involved suicidal thoughts, suicidal behavior, possible psychosis, hostility or aggression, including reports of paranoia and hallucinations.
