VA ISSUES FURTHER CHANTIX AND ZYBAN WARNINGS

-VA Watchdog

09/14/2009 - "Family members and caregivers should also be alerted to the potential for changes in mood or behavior and contact the health care provider if they observe these changes..."

The VA is the premier organization for promoting smoking cessation programs.

However, they tend to push drugs as the "helper of choice" for those veterans who wish to give up the cigarettes.

The two drugs used by the VA are Chantix and Zyban (varenicline and bupropion, respectively).

Last year, the VA was caught in the middle of a scandal about Chantix because it appeared they were not warning vets about the potential side effects.

While it cannot be denied that these drugs have helped many to quit smoking, the concern about side effects continues to grow.

Now, the VA has released another warning about the drugs on its Center for Medication Page Safety ... here ...

http://www.pbm.va.gov/VACenterForM

edicationSafety-Index.aspx

This warning goes further than previous warnings. It lists the following as possible side effects:

Changes in behavior

Hostility

Agitation

Depressed mood

Suicidal thinking and behavior

Attempted suicide

And, the warning adds:

Healthcare professionals should advise patients to stop taking varenicline or bupropion and contact a healthcare provider immediately if they experience agitation, depressed mood, and any changes in behavior that are not typical of nicotine withdrawal, or if they experience suicidal thoughts or behavior.

If varenicline or bupropionis stopped due to neuropsychiatric symptoms, patients should be monitored until the symptoms resolve.

Family members and caregivers should also be alerted to the potential for changes in mood or behavior and contact the health care provider if they observe these changes in the person taking varenicline or buporpion.

The reason I am passing on this information is because I recently had an appointment with my VA Primary Care Provider. He encouraged me to get into a smoking cessation program and suggested I could use either of the two drugs mentioned in this warning. When I told him I was concerned about the side effects, he said:

"Don't worry. Those will only be problems if you already had those kind of problems. With no mental health issues, the drugs aren't a problem."

This is bad information and bad medicine. After all, the first warning sign is "change in behavior" ... so, obviously, the doctor's information was not correct.

While I encourage all veterans to quit smoking, I am concerned about this VA warning and how, or if, it is being implemented.

Let's look at the warnings above:

1. Have veterans been notified of the potential side effects? If so, how?

2. Are veterans who reported side effects being monitored? If so, by whom and for how long?

3. Have family members been notified about the possible problems with these drugs? If so, how?

If you are using either of these drugs ... please let your family know of the possible side effects ... and, stay in close touch with your VA care providers so they are aware of any difficulties you might be having.

The complete warning is available for viewing or download here.

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 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.