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CHANTIX AFFECTS BEHAVIOR
Chantix, the popular smoking cessation prescription drug manufactured by Pfizer, has allegedly caused a host of serious side effects, from aggressive behavior to attempted and completed suicide. As well, a recent report by the non-profit watchdog group Institute for Safe Medication Practices, warned against the use of Chantix among persons operating aircrafts, trains, buses and other vehicles, or in other settings where a lapse in alertness or motor control could lead to massive, serious injury.”
The report linked Chantix to 224 cases of potential heart-rhythm disturbances, 372 reports of possible movement disorders and 544 reports of possible glycemic problems, including diabetes. It further reported 173 serious injuries, some resulting from traffic accidents where drivers on Chatix treatment were dizzy, mentally confused or became unconscious.
Once the report was made public, The Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration banned Chantix’ use by their pilots, air controllers and truckers. And the military is also contemplating a ban on Chantix.
On June 2, 2008 The Wall Street Journal reported that more than 100 traffic or personal accidents, such as falling, have been linked to Chantix. The information came from the FDA’s adverse events database. Allegedly, convulsions, blackouts, seizures or spasms could have contributed to such incidents.
The FDA approved Chantix for use in May, 2006 and by 2007 revenues reached $883 million. But also last year, after having received reports of 37 suicides and more than 400 incidents of suicidal behaviors that were allegedly linked to Chantix , the FDA released a Preliminary Assessment associating the drug with serious neuropsychiatric symptoms and even suicide, sometimes within days of beginning Chantix treatment.
On its website, the FDA states that there is ‘a probable’ link between Chantix and serious psychiatric complications, and warns “ Patients taking this product should report behavior or mood changes to their doctor and use caution when driving or operating machinery until they know how quitting smoking with Chantix may affect them.”
After receiving more than 3,000 reports of serious problems linked to Chantix, and in the wake of a safety group's report that linked Chantix to more than two dozen highway accidents, the agency has now decided to run another safety review of the drug.
More than 6 million people have been prescribed Chantix. On its website, Pfizer states that approximately 4,500 people took part in the “premarketing development” of Chantix, but most of those participants were treated only for 12 weeks or less.
Pfizer is now facing lawsuits from Chantix users who have sustained injuries from the drug. Individuals also claim they were not adequately warned about the serious and potentially fatal side effects of this medication, and that Pfizer put profits before the safety of its customers. If you, a friend or family member experienced unusual changes in behavior or suicidal thoughts from taking Chantix, you may want to seek legal help.
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