Iraq Vets With PTSD Used as Chantix Guinea Pigs

Scott Kappes

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Today the Washington Times and ABC News are reporting that soldiers returning from Iraq are being used as test patients for medications that have been linked to serious adverse reactions. According to reports, the V.A. is offering cash incentives to entice returning soldiers to participate in studies. In one of the most disturbing cases, it took the VA over three months to notify the veterans of a link to severe nueropsychiatric events associated with Pfizer’s controversial anti-smoking medication Chantix. The warning was not issued until after one veteran taking the medication was nearly gunned down by police while suffering from a psychotic episode allegedly induced by Chantix.

Many of the soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and are in a very fragile state of mind when the initially get back to the US. Taking advantage of soldiers in this condition is simply unacceptable. The label of Chantix was updated in February to advise patients that the drug may induce thoughts of suicide and trigger even latent mental health conditions to resurface. To subject veterans in such delicate mental condition to a medication that has been linked to mental problems is tragedy waiting to happen.

In all, nearly 1,000 veterans with PTSD were enrolled in the study to test different methods of ending smoking, with 143 using Chantix. Twenty-one veterans reported adverse effects from the drug, including one who suffered suicidal thoughts, the three-month investigation by The Times and ABC News found.

[Arthur] Caplan, who reviewed the consent and notification forms for the study at the request of The Times and ABC News, said the VA deserved an "F" and that it has an obligation to end the study, given the vulnerability of veterans with PTSD and the known side effects of Chantix. "Continuing it doesn't make any ethical sense," he said.

Late last month Chantix was removed from the list acceptable medications for pilots and air traffic controllers after a non-profit foundation released a study further affirming suspected adverse reactions associated with the drug.