After Effects of Chantix
A significant percentage of people who take Chantix to reduce nicotine cravings and withdrawal while quitting smoking succeed in both the short and long term. However, Chantix, a branded version of the prescription drug varenicline marketed by Pfizer, is far from 100 percent effective, and it can cause serious physical and mental problems for some patients. Before deciding to use Chantix, talk to your doctor about whether the potential positives outweigh the potential negatives.
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Smoking Cessation
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The prescribing information for Chantix summarizes findings from six trials. In each, Chantix-treated patients were much more likely to succeed in quitting smoking than those who did not take the medication. Beginning at nine weeks after first taking Chantix, between 40 percent and 51 percent of patients were smoke-free, compared with between 10 percent and 20 percent of unmedicated patients. These difference held throughout 12 weeks. After 52 weeks, between 22 percent and 25 percent of patients who used Chantix had not resumed smoking.
Nicotine Withdrawal
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Chantix mutes, but not completely blocks, the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. These symptoms include irritability, headaches, drowsiness, insomnia, increased appetite and weight gain. Smokers often also become tense and anxious when they first quit, and they can have trouble concentrating.
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Side Effects
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A large number of Chantix users experience strange dreams. Other side effects reported by more than 5 percent of people taking Chantix include abdominal pain, a bad taste in the mouth (dysgeusia), upper respiratory disorders and fatigue and weakness.
Mental Health Warning
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In July 2009 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked Pfizer to add a warning about "serious neuropsychiatric events" to Chantix labeling and packages. Since Chantix first became available in the United States in 2006, some patients have reported negative changes in mood and behavior, including depression, suicidal and homicidal thoughts, mania, psychosis and hallucinations. The most severe problems have only occurred rarely, but patients, health-care providers and patients' friends and family members should watch for such changes. Anyone who does experience mental or behavioral side effects should stop taking Chantix immediately and seek medical help.
Other Warnings
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In addition to the mental health warning, the prescribing information for Chantix notes that a small number of Chantix users have experienced fluid buildup around the heart (angioedema) and a potentially life-threatening skin disorders such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and erythema multiforme. Chantix users may also be at higher risk for having car accidents because of nausea, lack of sleep and lack of focus brought on by nicotine withdrawal.
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References
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- Photo Credit Pfizer
