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A Williamsburg man is suing pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, Inc. claiming that a drug the company manufactures to help people stop smoking caused him to have a motorcycle wreck in 2008.
The lawsuit, filed July 1 in U.S. District Court in London, accuses Pfizer of "purposefully" minimizing the risks and potential side effects of taking the drug Chantix – otherwise known as Varenicline. The drug is typically used to help reduce nicotine cravings in people addicted to cigarettes and other tobacco products, and also reduces the pleasurable effects tobacco consumption.
Charles Fritts, a Williamsburg resident, says in the lawsuit he ingested Chantix on May 29, 2008. On July 3, 2008, he experienced a blackout while riding his motorcycle about 300 yards from his home.
"Neighbors saw him slump over the gas tank and then run off the road into a creek," the suit reads. "Plaintiff suffers from a compressed disk as a result of the accident."
Fritts wants monetary compensation for his pain and suffering, as well as to pay medical bills and legal fees. The lawsuit also asks for punitive damages against the company.
Chantix was approved for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration February 2006. It began being sold in the U.S. in August of that year. Pfizer noted the drug commonly caused nausea in those taking it, and had less common side effects like headache, constipation, abdominal pain, difficulty sleeping and abnormal dreams, among others.
In November the following year, the FDA began receiving reports that patients taking the drug had experienced other serious side effects including drowsiness, erratic behavior and suicidal thoughts. Last month, the FDA said it planned to take another look at Chantix for other potential side effects like visual impairment, skin reactions and accidental injury.
On July 1, the FDA ruled the drug must carry a "black box warning," which is the agency’s strongest safety warning "due to side effects including depression, suicidal thoughts and suicidal actions."
Corbin attorney Shane Romines, who represents Fritts, writes in the lawsuit that Chantix is "defective in design or formulation" and was "unreasonably dangerous." His client, he said, was not adequately warned of potential risks of taking the drug.
U.S. District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove has been assigned to oversee the case. According to court records, Fritts is demanding at least $75,000 in damages.
