On May 22, 2008, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) warned truckers about Pfizer Inc.’s smoking cessation drug Chantix one day after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned the use of the drug for pilots and air traffic controllers. The FMCSA also advised medical examiners to deny qualification for commercial motor vehicle licenses to anyone currently taking Chantix.

Earlier in the week, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices announced conclusions drawn from a study of the drug, potentially linking it to side effects such as seizures, diabetes, cardiac arrhythmia, confusion and dizziness. Chantix was connected to psychiatric problems like suicidality and depression in 2007.

The FMCSA is responsible for monitoring the interstate trucking and bus industry. Agencies with the Department of Transportation were directed to the warning, at the request that they keep in mind the Administration’s warnings and recommendations.

Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not announced any new actions it will take in regards to Chantix. The agency is currently focusing on the potential links between Pfizer’s drug and neuropsychiatric side effects after Chantix’s warning label was updated to include depression and suicidality.

Source: Alicia Mundy and Avery Johnson, “Trucking regulators warn on use of Chantix,” Wall Street Journal, May 23, 2008.