New Road-Traffic Accidents Linked to Chantix
Saturday, November 15th, 2008According to the Wall Steet Journal, The FDA said it might upgrade warnings on Pifzer’s Chantrx drug due to recent road-traffic accidents and seizures involving people on Chantix.
According to the Journal article:
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices said 1,001 serious incidents involving Chantix users were reported in the first quarter of this year, based on its analysis of government safety data. That is more than the total number of serious incidents for the top 10 most-prescribed brand-name drugs combined.
Chantix already has been linked to serious psychiatric side effects such as depression and suicidal behavior. In 2007 Pfizer strengthened the warning label. The company has said that nicotine withdrawal itself “can cause changes in behavior, such as irritability and depressed mood.”
This Spring, the FDA issued a warning guide for doctors perscribing Chantix.
Chantix, which had $883 million in total 2007 sales, has experienced a steep decline. Its third-quarter sales in the U.S. fell 49% from last year’s third quarter, dropping to $96 million from $186 million. This summer, Pfizer took out full-page ads in major newspapers defending the drug and noting the severe risks to health from smoking.