Chantix, a drug that was supposed to help many people by reducing their cigarette cravings and helping them quit the dangerous habit, has been called by experts the most dangerous brand-name drug on the market today – and for good reason. Chantix side effects, publicized in recent months, include serious psychological problems such as depression and suicidal thoughts, psychosis, and increased aggression. Chantix is so dangerous, in fact, that the Food and Drug Administration has required Chantix to carry a black box warning on their packaging, warning potential consumers of the close link to psychological side effects that can be serious.
However, the black box warning says nothing about the fact that Chantix can cause blackouts and other disturbances in nervous function, such as experiences similar to temporary blindness as well as other vision disturbances. This has led to a ban on the drug in sensitive environments, such as in airplane cockpits and air traffic control towers. The Department of Transportation has limited the use of the drug by truckers, and the Department of Defense has banned its use among many of its members who work with aircraft and missiles. Sudden blackouts in these situations can, obviously, be extremely dangerous – but they are dangerous for the public, too. In a year-and-a-half period, Chantix was linked to 28 road traffic accidents and 77 falls, along with 148 reports of “vision disturbances”.
Chantix, also known by the scientific name varenicline, works by temporarily increasing the dopamine released into the brain, dampening cravings for cigarettes and allowing the user to feel satisfied without having smoked. But the rollercoaster-like levels of dopamine in a patient’s brain can skew normal vital nervous functions, causing these blackouts and vision interruptions. These can be dangerous and scary for anyone doing everyday activities, such as walking down stairs or driving a car.
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