Chantix Medication:
Chantix (varenicline) is a medication used to quit smoking.
In November 2007, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) began investigating reports of depression, agitation, and suicidal behavior among patients taking the medicine after they had received reports of 37 Chantix suicides and more than 400 reports of suicidal behavior that may have been linked to Chantix. According to the FDA, a link between Chantix and serious psychiatric complications is becoming progressively probable.
Additionally, the drug may worsen preexisting psychiatric illness or cause a recurrence of past issues.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced that the use of Chantix may adversely affect a driver's ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle and the FAA has already banned the use of Chantix among pilots and air traffic controllers.
FDA Warnings:
In February 2008 the FDA informed healthcare professionals and consumers of important revisions to
the WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS sections of the prescribing information for Chantix
regarding serious neuropsychiatric symptoms experienced in patients taking
Chantix. These symptoms include changes in behavior, agitation, depressed mood,
suicidal ideation, and attempted and completed suicide.
Read FDA Public Health Advisory>>>
Again in July of 2009 the FDA notified healthcare professionals and patients that it has required the
manufacturers of the smoking cessation aids varenicline (Chantix) and bupropion
(Zyban and generics) to add new Boxed Warnings and develop patient Medication
Guides highlighting the risk of serious neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients
using these products. These symptoms include changes in behavior, hostility,
agitation, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts and behavior, and attempted
suicide.
Read FDA Public Health Advisory>>>
Chantix Side Effects:
- Patients should tell their doctor about any history of psychiatric illness prior to starting Chantix. Chantix may cause worsening of a current psychiatric illness even if it is currently under control and may cause an old psychiatric illness to reoccur.
- Healthcare professionals, patients, patients' families and caregivers should be alert to and monitor changes in mood and behavior in patients treated with Chantix. Symptoms may include anxiety, nervousness, tension, depressed mood, unusual behaviors and thinking about or attempting suicide. In most cases, neuropsychiatric symptoms developed during the use of Chantix but in others, symptoms developed following withdrawal from Chantix therapy.
- Patients taking Chantix should immediately report changes in mood and behavior to their doctor.
- Patients taking Chantix may experience vivid, unusual, or strange dreams.
- Patients taking Chantix may experience impairment of the ability to drive or operate heavy machinery.
Chantix News Archive>>>
If you are currently taking Chantix and have concerns about its safety, you should consult with your doctor regarding your treatment options. Under no circumstances should you discontinue taking any medication, including Chantix, without first consulting with your doctor. For Chantix suicide or side effects legal information contact the Chantix Attorneys of Ennis & Ennis, P.A. by filling out our free Chantix case evaluation form or by calling the toll-free number listed below.