News FAA bans anti-smoking drug Chantix for pilots, air controllers

38yrsfan · 05-21-2008, 04:40 PM

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Aviation Administration today banned pilots and air traffic controllers from using a popular new anti-smoking drug after a medical safety group warned that the medication had apparently contributed to auto accidents and other mishaps that posed risks to both users and others.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...,2923950.story

The agency had approved the drug last summer, before drug safety regulators began investigating reports of serious psychiatric problems, including suicidal behavior, sharp shifts in mood and vivid nighttime episodes some patients call "Chantix dreams."

KCChiefsMan · 05-22-2008, 08:28 PM

you know, I was considering taking this even after these bad side effects. I have a few friends who have taken it and swear by it with no problems and some other people I've talked to. But I still don't want to risk it.

**pr_capone** · 05-22-2008, 10:34 PM

A friend of mine lost his best friend since childhood because of this drug.

It became a pretty popular story..... do a google search for Carter Albrecht

wazu · 05-22-2008, 10:35 PM

I have a friend who started on this and went into a deep depression. I later read that it was being seen as potentially linked to suicides. He said he never had suicidal thoughts, but he did get the lowest he'd ever gotten in his life, so he quit Chantix. (And managed to go ahead and quit smoking, too.)

Saggysack · 05-23-2008, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pr_capone

A friend of mine lost his best friend since childhood because of this drug.

It became a pretty popular story..... do a google search for Carter Albrecht

I'm presently on Chantix. Have had no problems.

Carter Albrecht didn't follow the prescription or his doctors instructions. The medication didn't cause his death. Him drinking and getting drunk on his quit day, which they tell you not to do, played the biggest role in his death. He died because of his own actions while trying to break into another persons home.

Pablo · 05-23-2008, 12:31 AM

My grandma smoked for 40+ years and quit on the stuff in two months.

My dad has smoked for 20+ and he's currently on it. They don't seem any different since taking it, aside from not smoking..

StcChief · 05-23-2008, 07:35 AM

If there's a question, a pilot is not who you want taking it until proven otherwise.

but I don't fly anyway.

Brock · 05-23-2008, 08:11 AM

The suicide rate among chantix users is lower than the general population. However, it wouldn't be the first time the FDA has caused the death of innocent people.

nomad · 05-23-2008, 08:14 AM

Smoked for 25+ years.

Asked my Dr. for a perscription.

Took Chantix for 3 weeks, the side effects for me included indegestion and "the fog" some refer to.

Reduced intake to only 1 pill per day after 2 weeks.

By the 3rd week I stopped taking Chantix all together.

Have been smoke free for 2 months now.

Shit works.... just need to monitor how your body/brain reacts to it and adjust accordingly. I took less than the reccommended dosage and quit, hopefully for ever.

**Mr. Plow** · 05-23-2008, 08:39 AM

I'm getting ready to start taking this. My doctor talked with me about these suicidal side affects, but said the percentage that it actually occurs in is pretty small. But, still have to worry a little bit.

Like someone else said, I think if I follow the doctors orders, it shouldn't be a problem.

crazycoffey · 05-23-2008, 09:23 AM

I've quit smoking before, just use willpower, make the decision to not put the cig to your lips, and you will be smoke free within minutes....

StcChief · 05-23-2008, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyCoffey

I've quit smoking before, just use willpower, make the decision to not put the cig to your lips, and you will be smoke free within minutes....

but.... a good

cigar?

Brock · 05-23-2008, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyCoffey

I've quit smoking before, just use willpower, make the decision to not put the cig to your lips, and you will be smoke free within minutes....

Sounds like it worked great for you, considering you're a smoker.

crazycoffey · 05-23-2008, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Sounds like it worked great for you, considering you're a smoker.

yup, I quit for 10 years, just started again because I felt like doing it after my divorce in Jan.

COchief · 05-23-2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pr_capone

A friend of mine lost his best friend since childhood because of this drug.

It became a pretty popular story..... do a google search for Carter Albrecht

He died because he was a drunken wife beater, nothing to do with Chantix. If you are going to try and blame a drug, why not all that alcohol in his system?

05-21-2008, 04:40 PM
38yrsfan Veteran Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Kootenai county Casino cash: $5636	FAA bans anti-smoking drug Chantix for pilots, air controllers WASHINGTON -- The Federal Aviation Administration today banned pilots and air traffic controllers from using a popular new anti-smoking drug after a medical safety group warned that the medication had apparently contributed to auto accidents and other mishaps that posed risks to both users and others. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...,2923950.story The agency had approved the drug last summer, before drug safety regulators began investigating reports of serious psychiatric problems, including suicidal behavior, sharp shifts in mood and vivid nighttime episodes some patients call "Chantix dreams."
Posts: 1,032

05-22-2008, 08:28 PM	#2
KCChiefsMan AIC Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Roxbury, MA Casino cash: $1524374	you know, I was considering taking this even after these bad side effects. I have a few friends who have taken it and swear by it with no problems and some other people I've talked to. But I still don't want to risk it.
Posts: 11,478

05-22-2008, 10:34 PM	#3
pr_capone bout time to go racing Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Aguadilla Casino cash: $169941842	A friend of mine lost his best friend since childhood because of this drug. It became a pretty popular story..... do a google search for Carter Albrecht
Posts: 17,417

05-22-2008, 10:35 PM	#4
wazu ... Join Date: May 2002 Casino cash: $985495	I have a friend who started on this and went into a deep depression. I later read that it was being seen as potentially linked to suicides. He said he never had suicidal thoughts, but he did get the lowest he'd ever gotten in his life, so he quit Chantix. (And managed to go ahead and quit smoking, too.)
Posts: 11,007

05-23-2008, 12:31 AM	#6
Pablo Blow, Blow Seminole Wind Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Snakebite Nightclub Casino cash: $19588	My grandma smoked for 40+ years and quit on the stuff in two months. My dad has smoked for 20+ and he's currently on it. They don't seem any different since taking it, aside from not smoking..
Posts: 14,122

05-23-2008, 07:35 AM	#7
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $1024708	If there's a question, a pilot is not who you want taking it until proven otherwise. but I don't fly anyway. __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,902

05-23-2008, 08:11 AM	#8
Brock Do it. Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $142503	The suicide rate among chantix users is lower than the general population. However, it wouldn't be the first time the FDA has caused the death of innocent people.
Posts: 40,406

05-23-2008, 08:14 AM	#9
nomad Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: OC, CAL. Casino cash: $1478	Smoked for 25+ years. Asked my Dr. for a perscription. Took Chantix for 3 weeks, the side effects for me included indegestion and "the fog" some refer to. Reduced intake to only 1 pill per day after 2 weeks. By the 3rd week I stopped taking Chantix all together. Have been smoke free for 2 months now. Shit works.... just need to monitor how your body/brain reacts to it and adjust accordingly. I took less than the reccommended dosage and quit, hopefully for ever.
Posts: 219

05-23-2008, 08:39 AM	#10
Mr. Plow Bitterness Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Mmmmmm....Forbidden Donut Casino cash: $580903	I'm getting ready to start taking this. My doctor talked with me about these suicidal side affects, but said the percentage that it actually occurs in is pretty small. But, still have to worry a little bit. Like someone else said, I think if I follow the doctors orders, it shouldn't be a problem.
Posts: 20,619

05-23-2008, 09:23 AM	#11
crazycoffey Space for rent Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Eternal Damnation Casino cash: $22400420	I've quit smoking before, just use willpower, make the decision to not put the cig to your lips, and you will be smoke free within minutes....
Posts: 22,335

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