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Margaret Bastian poses for a photo in Fairport, N.Y. Bastian had problems with the drug
Chantix, the highly touted quit-smoking pill, which has also been linked to dozens of
suicides and hundreds of suicidal behaviors (AP).
Chantix, the highly touted quit-smoking pill, which has also been linked to dozens of
suicides and hundreds of suicidal behaviors (AP).
Government Recommends Tobacco Drug Linked to Suicide
by
findingDulcinea Staff
by Liz Colville
The federal government is encouraging doctors to recommend the Pfizer drug Chantix to patients who want to quit smoking, despite side effects that can include depression and suicide.
The federal government is encouraging doctors to recommend the Pfizer drug Chantix to patients who want to quit smoking, despite side effects that can include depression and suicide.
30-Second Summary
The federal government’s latest guidelines for quitting smoking include the drug Chantix, produced by Pfizer. In recent studies, Chantix has been linked to depression and suicide.
The guidelines, released by the U.S. Public Health Service, do “mention psychiatric risks,” but conclude that the drug is “the most effective at helping people get off cigarettes,” especially in conjunction with therapy, reports the Associated Press.
Smoking researchers, educators, and watchdog members believe that the drug’s benefits do not outweigh its risks, and that the success rate is not as high as the Public Health Service and Pfizer claim.
In November 2007, the Food and Drug Administration began investigating Chantix after it “received reports of mood disorders and erratic behavior” among patients of the drug.
After reports of the detrimental side effects, Pfizer published more specific warnings on its Web site and halted advertising but continued to “roll out Chantix across the globe,” according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The guidelines, released by the U.S. Public Health Service, do “mention psychiatric risks,” but conclude that the drug is “the most effective at helping people get off cigarettes,” especially in conjunction with therapy, reports the Associated Press.
Smoking researchers, educators, and watchdog members believe that the drug’s benefits do not outweigh its risks, and that the success rate is not as high as the Public Health Service and Pfizer claim.
In November 2007, the Food and Drug Administration began investigating Chantix after it “received reports of mood disorders and erratic behavior” among patients of the drug.
After reports of the detrimental side effects, Pfizer published more specific warnings on its Web site and halted advertising but continued to “roll out Chantix across the globe,” according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Headline Link: Drug for smokers poses safety risks
The U.S. Public Health Service released new guidelines this month that recommend that doctors prescribe Chantix as a means of quitting smoking, particularly alongside therapy. Watchdog groups and smoking educators have countered that Chantix’s success rate is inflated and that its benefits do not outweigh its risks.
Source: The Associated Press (via Yahoo! News)
Background: Chantix receives FDA approval; subsequent studies show risks
Six clinical trials lead to Chantix approval by FDA
CenterWatch, a clinical trials listing service, outlines the studies used in determining FDA approval for the drug. Two studies tested Chantix against bupoprion—the generic name of the antidepressant Wellbutrin—and placebos. Chantix consistently outperformed placebos, but in both cases where bupoprion was used, Chantix performed slightly better than bupoprin.
Source: CenterWatch
Chantix versus nicotine patches
The British journal Thorax conducted a study in February 2008 that analyzed the positive effects of Chantix (varenicline) and nicotine patches. The study found that compared with patches, “varenicline … demonstrated significantly greater abstinence rates than NRT [patches].” But the study also noted that “[d]iscontinuation for adverse events” was more common among those using Chantix.
Source: Thorax
‘Postmarketing’ studies of Chantix uncover serious risks
On February 1, 2008, the FDA released a health advisory on Chantix, available on its Web site. The FDA requested that Pfizer “elevate the prominence” of information showing a possible connection between Chantix and “serious neuropsychiatric symptoms.”
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
On a page about postmarketing research of Chantix, specific effects being reported by patients, doctors and caregivers of Chantix are outlined.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
A recently added page on the Chantix site, “Important Safety Information about Chantix,” lists warnings about the drug, as requested by the FDA.
Source: Chantix Web Site
Patient cases: Chantix in the real world
An April article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel discusses a specific case of a Green Bay, Wis., couple taking Chantix. Both found that Chantix curbed their smoking habits. But Pfizer released its new warnings about the drug in February, and the Petersons remained in the dark about them until late March. In the meantime, Mr. Peterson had “spiraled into a deep depression.”
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The U.K.’s Daily Mail reported in January on the case of Karen McGhee, who had been taking Champix—the EU name for Chantix—when she attempted suicide. McGhee had suffered from depression in the past, but felt markedly worse on Chantix.
Source: The Daily Mail (U.K.)
Opinions & Analysis: Smoking educator sounds off on Chantix
John R. Polito of WhyQuit.com contends that studies of Chantix have favored the pharmaceutical industry and that the trial period is not long enough to show long-term abstinence rates. In reference to the Thorax study mentioned above, Polito noted that the study found “‘no significant differences’ in quit smoking rates between Chantix and nicotine patch users at either 6 months or 1 year.”
Source: WhyQuit.com
WorstPills.org, a project of the health watchdog Public Citizen, put Chantix on its list in 2007. The group said, “As seen so many times, recently, the evaluation of the safety of a drug is often inadequate when it is approved and [Chantix] is no exception.”
Source: WorstPills.org
Reference: Quit Smoking Web Guide
For more information on treatments for smoking, resources, and support online, consult the findingDulcinea Quit Smoking Web Guide.
Source: findingDulcinea
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