Pilots or air traffic controllers will no longer be allowed to use the anti-smoking drug Chantix. This appeal of the Federal Aviation Administration is argued by the side-effects of the drug, which have been discovered and announced in the last months. These negative influences on the human body may be a threat to the safe operation of aircraft in aviation personnel.

"It's prudent to deem the drug no longer acceptable for use," said Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Les Dorr, as quoted by Reuters.

An extremely large number of patients taking Pfizer Inc's anti-smoking drug Chantix have reported serious accidents, vision problems and heart disorders.

The nonprofit Institute for Safe Medication Practices together with Wake Forest University brought up on Wednesday the results of a study they conducted. They proved that, since the drug was released on market in 2006, hundreds of patients have complained of blurred vision, dizziness, confusion and loss of consciousness. Prior to these findings were those of the Food and Drug Administration in February, which pointed out that some of Chantix users had several psychiatric symptoms, and that some committed suicide.

It is not yet clear whether Chantix is the only cause for these manifestations. But it is obvious that this is an alarm signal and that FDA and Pfizer should continue investigations on the drug.

As expected, Pfizer officials defended Chantix and said the side effects were mentioned on the drug's label.

"When you've got the nicotine withdrawal along with Chantix, it's just very difficult to tell what is causing it," said Gretchen Dieck, Pfizer's senior vice president for safety and risk management, as cited by the same source.

According to a statement made by FDA spokeswoman Susan Cruzan, the FDA is still investigating the drug's psychiatric effects, but "FDA currently does not have adequate staffing to conduct such reviews."