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The VA’s Shocking Drug Experiments on Veterans

By L. Russell Allen - Jun 17th, 2008 at 5:45 pm

The Washington Times (h/t Matthew Yglesias) has published a stunning article which reports that the “government is testing drugs with severe side effects like psychosis and suicidal behavior on hundreds of military veterans.” Many of the veterans, who are paid for their participation, suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The most notable drug in question is Chantix, which is designed to help smokers kick the habit. In November 2007, the FDA reported that Chantix had been linked to “suicidal ideation and occasional suicidal behavior, erratic behavior, and drowsiness.” Obviously, those suffering from PTSD are at a higher risk of certain psychological side effects.

But even as the VA acknowledged some possible side effects, it never told the test subjects about the most dangerous ones:

While the alerts from Pfizer [the drug's manufacturer] and the FDA clearly mentioned suicide and suicidal thoughts as possible side effects, the VA’s letter to its veterans used no such language.

“Scientists have recently learned that varenicline can sometimes have serious side effects in some people,” the VA letter said. “These side effects may include an increase in psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, nervousness, tension and depression as well as untoward changes in behavior.”

Even as one arm of the federal government was putting national heroes at risk by testing Chantix on them, another had banned pilots from using the drug:

The VA continues to test Chantix on veterans, even as reported problems with the drug increase and have prompted at least one other federal agency to take action. On May 21, the Federal Aviation Administration banned airline pilots and air traffic control personnel from taking Chantix, citing the adverse side effects.

It’s not just Chantix either. Other drugs that the VA has given to PTSD sufferers include the antidepressants paroxetine, mirtazapine and citalopram. All three have been linked to suicidal behavior.

The federal government’s continued callousness towards our troops is shocking. Just something to keep in mind the next time some wingnut in the right-wing noise machine accuses war protesters of “undermining the troops.”

Tags: health, military, veterans