Chantix, known generically as varenicline, is a prescription drug designed to help people quit smoking. Roughly 3 million people currently take Chantix, according to Pfizer, the manufacturer of this dangerous drug.
The “common” side effects reported include nausea, headache, difficulty sleeping and abnormal dreams. Sounds pretty typical for many prescription drugs. However, in November 2007, the Food and Drug Administration began investigating reports of depression, agitation and suicidal behavior among patients taking Chantix.
The FDA received reports of 37 suicides and of more 400 of suicidal behaviors that might have been linked to a patient’s use of the drug. As these reports continue to flood into the FDA, the connection between Chantix use and serious psychiatric complications becomes clearer.
Consider this real-life story that was posted on an online forum by a regular person describing their experience, and side effects, from Chantix:
I had to stop taking chantix. The side effects I was experiencing were miserable. I am not a “sensitive” person when it comes to medications. But it seems I experienced all the “common” side effects plus some other obscure ones too. I started taking Chantix with two other co-workers…all of us experienced altered sense of smell and taste. And all of us experienced a sense of anxiety too…it never really stopped or curbed my desire to smoke….it just made my senses feel miserable …. even eating was gross…any scent–even pleasant smells like flowers, cooking, etc became uggy.
If that wasn’t bad enough, the FDA recently warned patients that Chantix could result in an increased risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks, angina, coronary revascularization and peripheral vascular disease. In fact, studies have shown that individuals were twice as likely to suffer from heart problems while taking Chantix than were people taking a placebo.
If you or a loved one suffered any of these side effects from Chantix, speak to an injury lawyer to discuss your legal options. Information continues to surface about how Pfizer incorrectly reported the side effects of Chantix when the product was under review by the FDA. This type of behavior is wrong, and if you suffer serious side effects, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim.
PA