Chantix News

Warning issued about stop-smoking drug

-Globeandmail.com

06/22/2008- Champix, a highly-touted smoking-cessation pill marketed by Pfizer Canada, may be linked to suicide, depression and other serious psychiatric problems, Health Canada warned yesterday.

The government department said it has received 226 reports of "neuropsychiatric" problems associated with the drug in Canada from April, 2007, when the drug was put on the market, to April, 2008.

"A number of patients taking Champix have experienced unusual feelings of agitation, depressed mood, hostility, changes in behaviour or impulsive or disturbing thoughts such as thoughts of self-harm or harm to others," Health Canada said in its public warning.

Patients are being advised to immediately stop taking Champix if they have suicidal thoughts, depression, hostility or other problems. Health-care professionals are also being told to closely monitor patients with psychiatric problems or a history of them, even if the symptoms are well controlled.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration made a similar announcement in February.And last month, U.S. officials banned pilots and air-traffic controllers from taking the drug.

Pfizer Canada said that although there may be some risks associated with the pill among a portion of the population, many people have taken it safely and have quit smoking.

"As with any new drug, you need to be monitored for side effects, but it's safe and efficacious," company spokesman Christian Marcoux said.

In the first year it was on the market, Health Canada said 709,000 prescriptions for Champix were filled in Canada.

One health-policy expert said Canadians should take the problems associated with the drug seriously, particularly considering it's not the only option available for people who want to quit smoking.

"You really have to ask some questions," said Barbara Mintzes, professor in the department of anesthesiology, pharmacology and therapeutics at the University of British Columbia. "Is it worth the risk of a serious harmful effect that wouldn't happen otherwise if you took the drug?"

Although Champix may help some people quit smoking, Dr. Mintzes said consumers should be cautious because it is still a new drug and could lead to serious problems.