Drug Warning: Chantix
Generic name: varenicline
Manufactured and marketed by: Pfizer
Purpose: Prescribed to assist adults to quit smoking without the use of nicotine.
Side Effects Reported
Physicians have been advised by the FDA to monitor patients closely for signs of depression, as well as some of these other more severe side effects:
- Headache, persistent nausea, constipation, flatulence, and vomiting.
- Severe allergic reactions, nightmares, insomnia, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
- Chantix may also be linked to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), Hepatitis and liver failure, as well as some cases of accidents and occupational injury.
- Chantix should not be taken in combination with insulin, some blood thinners, and asthma drugs.
- Depression and suicidal thoughts have been reported by some patients taking Chantix.
- Sometimes, patients have committed suicide while on Chantix, or shortly after discontinuing its use. The binding of Chantix to patient’s pleasure receptors may impair their ability to derive enjoyment from other activities.
Industry Report
In February 2008, the FDA issued an alert to highlight important changes to the “Warnings and Precautions” section of the prescription information for Chantix. The FDA reported that serious neuropsychiatric symptoms have occurred in patients taking Chantix. In light of the serious side effects that Chantix users experience, the FDA has requested that Pfizer modify the way it describes the potential side effects of the drug.
Seeger Weiss is not currently pursuing lawsuits on this drug, but its drug warnings will remain on our radar.
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