Chantix News

Veterans to Receive Warning Letter about Chantix Link to Suicidal Thoughts

-InjuryBoard.com

06/23/2008- The Veterans Administration is mailing letters to more than 32,000 veterans who are currently taking the smoking-cessation drug, Chantix (made by Pfizer), warning them of the drug’s possible side effects, which include suicidal thoughts.

The letter urges anyone who feels they are developing adverse effects associated with use of the drug, to consult their doctor immediately. Despite the risks, doctors will continue to prescribe the drug for the time being as they feel the benefits outweigh the risk for some patients.

A recent study of 143 veterans suffering from post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD) who took the anti-smoking drug Chantix, found that 2 percent of users experience thoughts of suicide.

The VA’s  Smoking Cessation and PTSD Study’s main goal was to determine whether it is easier to quit smoking when smoking cessation treatment is used in conjunction with PTSD therapy, or if the two therapies are more effective delivered separately.

The FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research has been investigating hundreds of reported cases of adverse reactions to Chantix use including accidents, mental confusion, loss of consciousness, psychiatric side effects, heart troubles, and vision loss, among others.  

Nearly 40 suicides and almost 400 incidents of suicidal behavior have been tied to Chantix, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

In May, the Federal Aviation Administration banned use of Chantix for pilots and air traffic controllers and most recently truckers were advised not to take Chantix.

The FDA approved Pfizer’s Chantix in May 2006 as a smoking cessation drug.

It acts at sites in the brain affected by nicotine by providing nicotine-like effects to help ease withdrawal symptoms.