Citing side effects, FAA bans anti-smoking drug

WASHINGTON The Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday banned the use of the anti-smoking drug Chantix by pilots and air-traffic controllers, citing side effects that include mood swings and drowsiness, according to the Associated Press.

A medicine guide for Chantix, Pfizer’s brand name for varenicline, recently received approval by the Food and Drug Administration. An FDA alert released in February listed psychiatric side effects in patients using the drug including depression, agitation, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts.