Chantix Tied To Suicidal Behavior?

(AP)  Government scientists are investigating whether a Pfizer Inc. drug used to help smokers quit cigarettes also increases suicidal thoughts and violent behavior.

The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday said it has received reports of mood disorders and erratic behavior among patients taking Chantix. The drug won regulatory approval last year to aid adults trying to quit smoking and sales totaled $101 million.

FDA said it is still gathering information about the drug, but advised doctors to closely monitor patients taking Chantix for behavior changes. The agency said the changes have often been reported within days or weeks of people first taking the drug.

Pfizer said Tuesday it added information about the reports to the product's label, but stressed "there is no scientific evidence establishing a causal relationship between Chantix and these events."

Pfizer said in a statement there were no suicides in a 5,000-patient study of the drug.

FDA said it is investigating at least one incident of a patient who died while reportedly taking the drug.

Family members of Dallas musician Carter Albrecht recently said Chantix may have caused the rage that ultimately led to his death. Albrecht was shot in the head in September by his girlfriend's neighbor as he tried to kick down the man's door. An autopsy report showed Albrecht's blood alcohol was three times the legal limit.

FDA said it has asked Pfizer for information on additional cases that might be similar.

Regulators said it was unclear if Chantix was directly responsible for the behavior, since nicotine withdrawal often aggravates existing mental problems.

New York-based Pfizer also submitted reports to the FDA about drowsiness among Chantix patients that interfered with their ability to drive. Pfizer said clinical studies of the drug showed no significant difference in drowsiness between patients taking Chantix and those taking a dummy pill.

[limestoneman]

It''s Pfizer, what did you expect? They are a generally sick company.

[darrellwy]

I used Chantix for 7 weeks and quit smoking no problems.

[olean55]

I took this drug for 3 weeks and now I fear I will have the terrible side effects from it for the rest of my life. The joint and muscle pain is horrible. It never goes away. Insomnia, back pain, blurred vision,depression, ankles and feet swell. My whole body burns like it is on fire all the time. I have filled out a report with FDA as have many others. Go to wrongdiagnosis.com and read all the problems with Chantix. It is GREAT if you dont have these effects and I did quit smoking, but I have had this pain since 9/4/07 and I would gladly smoke and chance a shorter life than to have to live in this pain. It is HELL.

[perm3800]

This is my second pass with Chantix. Vivid dreaming is a side effect of the drug, had it last time, too. For those prone to nightmares or night terrors, the vivid dreaming would enhance that. Mine are just more interesting than usual. It does make you drowsy to start but you do adjust. Last time, it helped me cut back to one third but I am back where I was. I plan to be free and clear this pass. As to the musician who was blown away by his neighbor - the gun killed him, not Chantix. We don''t know what other problems this man had, what other drugs he might have been using. To claim that his aggressive behavior - and thus his death - are the result of Chantix is just an effort on the part of his family to get their fat fingers into Pfizer''s pockets.

[rpmmlm-2009]

I tried Chantix several months ago for 5 days and felt nauseated and very tired. This past week I tried it again and became so drowsy that I literally sleeped all weekend. I also was very agitated and felt sick for the past 5 days. Today I have not taken any since yesterday morning and once again feel like myself. I am a truck driver and would certainly not recommend taking this if driving!

[kwameb-2009]

ontheleft:

I''''m taking Chantrix and I''''m suicidal, but I really want to hear about Ron Paul. How come I don''''t hear much about him on these boards?


comment of the month!!!

tmullis4, I just started the treatment, and one thing I found was I have been having nightmares. Is this common? I read about "dream disorders" or something like that, but ***....the mares were pretty vivid. I sure hope it passes, because I had been smoking for over thirty years and WANT TO QUIT!!!!!

[myidoncbs]

ontheleft, just wait a few more minutes... I''m sure Mr. "Prophet" will come along with a slew of RP drivel soon!

[tmullis4]

I took chantix. BEST thing that ever happened to me.. I smoked for 21 years. After 3 weeks I did not want another cigarette....that was 11 months ago. I''ve had many-many friends take this drug with the same results as me....quit smoking after one month and NO side effects. You know what we think...the drug WORKS and cigarette companies are worried. I know 8 people who have taken this drung and those 8 people QUIT SMOKING!!! Chantiz saved 9 lives!!!!!!! I bet ya'' it''s all about money and the cigarette companies paying people(our governement) off to get this wonder drug off the shelves!!!!!!!!

[jetranger7]

OK- I''d like to order a Truck Load of this stuff immediately, please send the 1st Truck Load to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington DC c/o George W Bush and VP-Richard Cheney and feel free to hand it out to every politician there too, give them extras so they don''t run out !! Pleaseeee there Americas problem just got solved ! fairly simple !