Chantix Lawyer
WASHINGTON -- The FDA may upgrade warnings on the anti-smoking drug Chantix (Pfizer Inc.) after a nonprofit safety group cited a new spate of road-traffic accidents and seizures involving people on the drug.
Lawyers are now investigating claims to determine if those who have suffered negative side effects of Chantix are entitled to compensation. Please call David Payne Law to see if you have a case worth pursuing.
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices said at least 1,001 serious incidents involving Chantix users were reported in the first quarter of this year. That is more than the total number of serious incidents for the top 10 most-prescribed brand-name drugs combined as discussed in a recent report of the Wall Street Journal.
An FDA statement said the agency "confirms that there are reports of accidents, including road traffic accidents, after the use of varenicline [Chantix] in the Adverse Event Reporting System. The FDA is reviewing these reports to see if current labeling related to accidents after varenicline is adequate."
"The most alarming thing about the numbers is the increase in loss of consciousness like a blackout, and the sudden [temporary] loss of vision. That's potentially very dangerous for everyone, as the traffic-accident numbers show," said Curt Furberg, a professor at Wake Forest University's medical school. Dr. Furberg is a co-author of the institute's report and frequently sits on FDA expert committees.
Chantix already has been linked to serious psychiatric side effects such as depression and suicidal behavior. The FDA has been actively investigating the psychiatric side effects, and even issued a warning guide for doctors this spring.
Chantix, which had $883 million in total 2007 sales, has experienced a very steep decline. Third-quarter sales in the U.S. fell 49% from last year's third quarter, dropping to $96 million from $186 million.
