FAA bans smoking drug Chantix for pilots, claims craziness

The FAA has ordered pilots and air traffic controllers to immediately stop using the anti-smoking drug Chantix less than 48 hours after they learned the drug could cause safety problems. The FAA first approved of the use of Chantix just 10 months ago, but that was before a study by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices released results on the drug that found evidence of "seizures, loss of consciousness, heart attacks, vision problems, and various psychiatric instabilities". A notification was immediately sent to all pilots and controllers to stop taking the medication or lose their certificates. One chief concern that has been raised to the Food and Drug Administration is numerous reports of "psychiatric problems" associated with the drug. Somehow I think the "cold turkey" quitting of a drug that causes psychiatric issues, may create some other problems for pilots and the FAA in the form of withdrawals.

Anybody got a light?

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