Chantix Side Effects

Chantix side effects have been a hot topic of conversation recently after the Institute for Safe Medical Practices found high numbers of injuries and even deaths associated with the drug.
In its quarterly review, the institute found and unusually high number of self-reported problems associated with the drug, including side effects that had not previously been realized by the manufacturer.

Chantix is the now well known quit smoking pill, launched by Pfizer with much fanfare, back in May 2006. Among other claims, Pfizer said the drug had a 44% success rate in getting smokers to quit.

Unfortunately, the sheen has steadily been tarnishing on Pfizer’s golden egg and it would appear the wonder drug is not all it would seem.

In the first instance, Pfizer played down the acknowledged side effects that they had found themselves in their own clinical trials.
There are three main Chantix side effects:

• Nausea (30%)
• Insomnia and vomiting
• Gastro-intestinal problems such as constipation and flatulence

And a whole host of others that are less common, including visual impairment, lethargy, strange and lucid dreams and indigestion.

It is also a fact that the dosage of Chantix is ‘built up’ (titrated to use the correct jargon) so that your body can become better accustomed to it, before you start on the full blown 2mg/day dose. This is because in the pre-general release trials, users who were given the full blown dose from day one suffered a great deal.

Initial trials studied dosages as high as 3mg per day which had the positive effect of helping people quit smoking but the negative effect of making them very ill from the side effects they encountered!
It is important to realise that (as Pfizer will tell you themselves) there are a number of side effects associated with quitting smoking. These include dry mouth, anxiety, stomach ache, constipation, headaches and others. What hasn’t been determined is if people suffering from Chantix side effects are actually suffering from quitting smoking side effects!

Notwithstanding this, since its launch, there have been a whole host of other side effects reported which are listed in no particular order below.

1. Diahhroea
2. Gingivitis (gum disease and inflammation)
3. Back pain
4. Arthralgia (joint pain)
5. Myalgia (muscle pain)
6. Attention and concentration problems
7. Sensory difficulties (vision and taste in particular)
8. Dizziness
9. Anxiety
10. Depression
11. Irritability
12. Restlessness
13. Erratic emotions
14. Polyuria (frequent lavatory breaks)
15. Menstrual problems and nose bleeds
16. Difficulty breathing
17. Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
18. Hot flushes
19. Hypertension (high blood pressure)
20. Suicidal tendancies

Whilst this list details a number of potentially unpleasant side effects that can be associated with Chantix, there the last one; of people having suicidal thoughts and tendencies is the most concerning.

Official advice is that if you have any suicidal thoughts whilst taking or after taking Chantix you should stop taking the drug and contact your doctor immediately. This is in light of the FDA reporting 39 suicides and 491 cases of suicidal behaviour or thoughts up to February 2008.