Smoking Cessation Drug Banned for Aviation Staff

The Federal Aviation Administration has decided to ban smoking cessation drugs for the aviation staff, including pilots, taking into account its side effects that could cause safety concerns. Sold under the name of Chantix, manufactured by Pfizer, it causes terrible nausea and headache as early symptoms.

Posing a ban on its use by pilots and the ATCs, FAA raised an issue of the drug not being safe for pilots. Its side effects amounting to insomnia and hallucination can interfere with the normal flying operations of the aircraft, putting passengers at risk.

A recent study by Institute for Safe Medication Practices reveals that people under the influence of this drug were found to grow mentally unstable gradually, complaining of abnormal dreams, sleeping disorders and other psychiatric symptoms leading them to make fatal decisions, even suicide.

Other ill-effects experienced are constipation, poor appetite and metabolism, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiacdefine and lymphatic disorders, ENT disorders, etc which can affect the overall capability of the pilot to operate the craft under strict safety regulations laid down by FAA.

Chantix is found to be four times more effective than other smoking cessation drugs but also, with multiplied side effects. While the drug claims that the side effects are of reversible and transient nature, allowing them for aviation operation personnel can raise a safety alarm. The study shows that there is occasional loss of consciousness, low alertness, depressiondefine, suicidal thoughts and muscle spasms under its influence. In addition, nicotine withdrawal can lead to mental aggression and irritability.

The Food and Drug Administration issued warning regarding depression and suicidal thoughts that can come attached to it and asked the practitioners to closely monitor people administered this drug for any behavior changes. According to Martina Flammer, Pfizer's senior medical director for Chantix, it's not clear whether problems in Chantix users are due to the drug, the nicotine withdrawal or neither of the two.