Chantix May Raise Suicide Risk but smoking is still the far greater health risk

Reuters HealthDay reported on February 1, 2008 that the FDA has warned that the anti-smoking drug, Chantix, might contribute to suicidal ideas and behavior.

There's increasing evidence that the smoking-cessation drug Chantix is linked to serious "neuropsychiatric" side effects, including agitation, depressed mood and even suicide, U.S. health officials said Friday.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has asked Chantix's manufacturer, Pfizer Inc., to make the warning about these potential problems more prominent on prescribing information and on the drug's label. The agency is also working with Pfizer to produce a Medication Guide for patients, officials said.

"We have become increasingly concerned as we have seen a number of compelling cases that truly look as if they are the result of exposure to the drug and not to other causes," Dr. Bob Rappaport, director of the FDA's Division of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Rheumatology Products, said during an afternoon teleconference.

"These cases involve abnormal behaviors, changes in mood, and suicidal ideation and suicide," Rappaport said.

The FDA knows of 491 cases of suicidal behavior associated with Chantix, said Dr. Celia Winchell, a team leader in the FDA's Division of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Rheumatology Products.

"Of these, 420 are from the United States," Winchell said. "There are 39 that involve completed suicides, 34 in the United States."

According to Pfizer, 5 million patients have taken Chantix, whose generic name is varenicline.

Friday's warning follows a Nov. 20 FDA statement that the agency was "evaluating post-marketing adverse event reports on Chantix related to changes in behavior, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal ideation, and actual suicidal behavior."

At that time, Pfizer said there had never been a cause-and-effect relationship shown between Chantix and these symptoms. The company also said that part of the problem may be due to nicotine withdrawal.

Pifzer who manufactures and markets Chantix says that part of the agitation and suicidal ideas might be linked to nicotine withdrawal. One thing seems clear, and cigarettes are a huge risk factor for premature death so stopping smoking, even with the use of Chantix, is well worth any minimal risk.

Link: MedlinePlus: Quit-Smoking Drug May Raise Suicide Risk.

Comments

[Chantix-quit-smoking]

Pleasure blocking drugs like Chantix and depression anti-addiction pills and depression using Chantix ?

Risk of depression dims hopes for anti-addiction pills. for 2 years, scientists had high hopes for new pills that would help people quit smoking, lose weight and maybe kick other tough addictions like alcohol and cocaine.

The pills worked in a new way, by blocking pleasure centers in the brain that provide the feel-good response from smoking or eating. These drugs, chantix / champtix being one, may now also be blocking the other pleasure feelings.

In some cases increasing the potential of depression and suicide.

[chantix-or-niccine]

should I use Chantix or wait for Niccine ?

Niccine: a new approach to quit smoking This is a different approach to the quit smoking problem similiar to by the drug maker Pfizer's Chantix

Swedish anti-nicotine vaccine to be tested in Nordic countries "A Swedish vaccine against nicotine will be tested on 400 people in three Nordic countries," Heavy smokers who would like to quit, will get counselling along with the new drug, initial test will run for 4 months.

Niccine is supposed to help the immune system build antibodies against nicotine. Interesting approach to the problem: Niccine will latch onto the incoming nicotine and preventing it from reaching the brain's reward system, thereby preventing the smoker from getting that addictive smoking "kick" or hit. Niccine, has been developed over the course of 10 years by Swedish researchers at the Karolinska Institute, under the guidance of professor Torgny Svensson who founded Independent Pharmaceutica.

This is a different approach to the quit smoking problem used by Pfizer's Chantix

should I use Chantix or wait for Niccine ? Quit smoking, smoking cessation drugs,smoking cessation medicine www.chantix-smoking.blogspot.com

[Lorelei F]

A drug is not usually the answer to a drug. Cold turkey with the use of neuro-linguistic programming or mind techiniques is best. Cessationn is worst and causes cravings to increase exponentially, the less drug they get. Cold trukey cravings will eventually subside. Not true with cessation or any method that keeps the drug in the body. Visit my blogs if you like.
Of course the best method for all of you non-smokers is not to start in the first place. It's a set-up for disaster.

[jecika]

Of course the best method for all of you non-smokers is not to start in the first place. It's a set-up for disaster.
___________________
jecika
http://www.addictionrecovery.net/hawaii

[chantix]

There are nicotine replacement therapies available in the market, namely, nicotine gums, lozenges, patches et al that can help you overcome nicotine addiction. You can try out these therapies according to the doctor’s suggestions but they fail to yield desired results, http://www.chantixmagic.com chantix is definitely there to help you quit smoking. For more information on chantix, visit http://www.chantixmagic.com/.

[Deepak]

Did you know that there are over 4,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke? These include formaldehyde (used to preserve dead bodies), ammonia (used in strong cleaning liquids) and cadmium (a highly poisonous metal used in batteries).

And if that isn’t reason enough for you to quit smoking, there are more.

[I Quit Smoking]

Hell, I used a program called quit smoking right now in conjuction with the patch and with that combination I finally managed to quit. I don't really like the idea of using drugs unless they are absolutely neccesary.

[buy chantix]

Definitely agree! I just thinking about that risk but fda don't stop selling this medicine. I think the risk is depends, every single person can get different result but they are stop smoking.

[David]

In order to start off your smoking cessation regimen with chantix, the Pfizer manufactured quit smoking drug, you need to buy chantix from authentic chantix drug stores.

[Generic Viagra]

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Smoking is really dangerous to our health. i hope everyone will aware of it.

[sallen]

Puffing away at the cigarette is always a pleasurable experience for all smoking addicts and the feeling of well-being provided by nicotine makes the users of cigarettes and other tobacco containing substances consistently addicted to the habit of smoking. But as the ill-effects of smoking show off slowly and gradually and a smoker becomes a victim to atherosclerosis, Buerger's Disease and a whole range of other smoking induced ailments, he fins no way out other than opting for the antismoking medicine Chantix . For more details on chantix, log in to the site http://www.chantixhome.com/ .

[johnsmithroy]

If you are finding it totally difficult to obtain relief and succor from the grip of cigarette addiction, you should go for the anti-smoking medicine. You can purchase chantix online straight from your home by logging in to http://www.chantixonline.com/ an authentic online drug store but for Chantix online chantix to yield effective results for you, always use the drug as per the instructions of the doctor only.

[viagra online]

The first images of tobacco smokers, found in the ancient temples of Central America, date back to X century BC. e .. Tobacco is valued by local healers: he attributed medicinal properties, and tobacco leaves were used as a painkiller. Smoking tobacco was used in religious rituals of ancient civilizations of America. It was believed that inhalation of tobacco smoke helps to communicate with the gods. Developed two methods of smoking tobacco: North America - the tube, and in South America - smoking cigars, rolled from whole tobacco leaves.

[cheap cialis]

Gave up smoking almost nine months (9)ago and started riding my 21-speed bike around. Who needs tabac when biking around breathing vog from the volcano works just as well, aye? Besides, the prehistoric beast ('92 Mazda Protege) finally expired last weekend. Oh, well....

[Bobby Schaeffer]

So this is why my dentist told me to quit smoking. I know it's going to be hard. I have a friend in Knoxville, TN who experiences some sort of withdrawal symptom when he's banned from smoking even for just a day. There are people like that, but they really have to try their best to quit naturally. Not only will it take a toll on your teeth and lungs, but also on the people near the spot where you smoke.

[Cheap Cigarettes]

smoking cheap cigarettes was never a risk, it's a save of a lot of money.

[Carol]

Interesting post. If it does have suicidal effects, why is it allowed to be in the market? I think rehab is far better than this drug.

[רופאי שיניים]

Cessationn is the worst and causes cavities to increase exponentially, which receive less medication. Thanks for sharing this one.