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Chantix
Chantix or Champix, known also as Varenicline Tartrate, is a medication prescribed to patients seeking to end their smoking addiction. It does this by reducing cravings and decreasing the pleasurable effects of cigarettes and other tobacco products. Common side effects include nausea, headache, difficulty sleeping and abnormal dreams. It is estimated that there are 3 million Americans taking Chantix now, according to Pfizer. In November 2007, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) began investigating reports of depression, agitation and suicidal behavior among patients taking the medicine, after they had received reports of 37 suicides and more than 400 of suicidal behaviors that might have been linked to Chantix. According to the FDA, a link between Chantix and serious psychiatric complications is becoming progressively probable.
Additionally, the drug may further worsen preexisting psychiatric illness or cause a recurrence of past issues. Pfizer contends that these episodes of irrational behavior have been caused by nicotine withdrawal, however, the FDA's findings stated that even those patients who had continued smoking had similar psychiatric episodes. Most recently, the FDA has been evaluating reports that in addition to erratic behavior in patients taking Chantix, suicidal thoughts, depression, and changes in the emotional state are present in many cases, setting in within days to weeks of beginning the treatment.
Fast Facts
| Name: | Chantix (or Champix in Europe) |
| Generic: | Varenicline Tartrate |
| Manufacturer: | Pfizer |
| Date approved: | May 10, 2006 |
| Status: | Prescription only |
| Approved uses: | Stop Smoking Aid |
| Off-Label uses: | None at present |
| Side effects: | Nausea, changes in dreaming, constipation, gas, vomiting as well as reports of depressive behavior and possible increased suicide risk |
| Related topics: |
FDA Issues Chantix Public Heatlh Advisory
On February 1st, 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health advisory, giving new information about the risks of taking the prescription medicine Chantix, or Varencline... read more
Possible Dangerous Side Effects of Chantix
According to the American Lung Association, smoking-related diseases claim an estimated 438,000 American lives each year, including those affected indirectly, such as babies born prematurely due to... read more
View the Chantix Main Articles page here
FDA Information Related to Chantix
Varenicline (marketed as Chantix) Information
Public Health Advisory: Important Information on Chantix (varenicline)
View the Chantix FDA Information page here
MSN Newsfeeds Related to Chantix
Pfizer To Acquire Encysive For About $195 Mln Cash; Plans Late Stage ...
Pfizer To Acquire Encysive For About $195 Mln Cash; Plans Late Stage ...
View the Chantix MSN Newsfeeds page here
News Articles Related to Chantix
AP Health NewsBrief at 11:19 p.m. EDT
The Associated Press: Chantix recommended to quit smoking despite safety concerns
View the Chantix News Articles page here
Wikipedia Entries Related to Chantix
View the Chantix Wikipedia Entries page here
Books Related to Chantix
FDA approves varenicline for smoking cessation.(Clinical Rounds) : An article from: OB GYN News
View the Chantix Books page here
