What Are the Dangers of Chantix?
Chantix, an anti-smoking prescription drug, has come under fire from the Food and Drug Administration. According to a report in The Dallas Morning News, the FDA released a warning early in 2009 that Chantix may be the cause of vivid dreams, suicidal behavior and other psychiatric problems.
Chantix targets receptors in the brain associated with pleasurable feelings from tobacco. This effect is why Chantix has been somewhat successful in helping smokers quit. However, some argue that the dangers associated with Chantix side effects outweigh the benefits.
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Identification
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Chantix is a prescription drug used to help smokers quit and does not use nicotine-related products to wean smokers off tobacco products. Rather, Chantix dulls the sensors in the brain associated with pleasure. Other methods--generally over-the-counter--have used nicotine replacement therapies to ease withdrawal symptoms. Smokers have achieved some success with Chantix, but have reported serious side effects.
Side Effects
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The more common side effects of Chantix are nausea, headache, sleep difficulties and unusual dreams. Other, more dangerous side effects linked to Chantix include suicide and suicide ideation, depression, anxiety, nervousness and agitation. Physical impairment, dizziness, loss of consciousness, unusual behavior, mood swings and muscle spasms also have been reported.
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Significance
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According to Dr. Mercola, as of May 2008, the FDA received 6,363 reports of adverse reactions related to Chantix. Of the reports, 78 people died while using the drug and 28 of the deaths were by suicide. Of the remaining reports, 3,063 people were cited as sustaining "serious injuries." The U.S. government has restricted pilots and air traffic controllers from using Chantix because of its reported dangerous side effects.
Warning Label and Guide
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As a result of FDA prompting in 2009, a warning label and medication guide accompanies prescriptions of Chantix. The warning includes verbiage as follows: "If you, your family, or caregiver notice agitation, hostility, depression, or changes in behavior, thinking, or mood that are not typical for you, or you develop suicidal thoughts or actions, anxiety, panic, aggression, anger, mania, abnormal sensations, hallucinations, paranoia, or confusion, stop taking Chantix and call your doctor right away." However, the guide also indicates that smoking cessation may cause some of these behaviors.
Potential
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Chantix is still an option to assist people quit smoking. However, the FDA continues to monitor reports from consumers, and a possible Chantix class action lawsuit may be in the future, according to Legal View.
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