Posted: 11 Nov 2008 02:44 PM CST
The British Government has released data confirming that users of Champix, the European version of the stop-smoking drug known as Chantix in the United States, have been reporting a number of adverse reactions associated with the drug, including suicides and suicidal thoughts.
Chantix and Champix, which are both manufactured by Pfizer, Inc., contain the pharmaceutical ingredient varenicline tartrate, which blocks brain receptors that are normally stimulated by nicotine. The drug is designed to lessen the pleasure effects of nicotine and help users quit smoking.
In the United States, Chantix has been associated with a number of serious and potentially life-threatening side effects, including an increased risk of suicide, suicide attempts and unusual behavior. A number of users have also report developing new-onset diabetes after taking the drug and suffering seizures and blackouts, which could result in serious accidents or injury.
Concerns about Chantix suicide side effects first started to emerge in November 2007, when the FDA issued an “Early Communication” about an on-going investigation into at least 39 reports of Chantix suicides and nearly 500 reports of suicidal thoughts and behavior involving the drug in the United States.
Since that time, the FDA has required Pfizer to add a “black box” warning about the psychological side effects of Chantix, and many users who took their own life or suffered severe physical injuries as a result of a suicide attempt are filing Chantix lawsuits against Pfizer for failing to previously warn about the risk associated with the drug.
According to figures from the British government’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), at least 24 deaths have been linked to the use of Champix in Europe, including 10 suicides. In addition, 213 people have reported suicidal thoughts and 407 reported suffering from depression while on the drug.
Recent reports released by the independent researchers at the Institute for Safe Medication Practices have found that between May 2006 and December 2007, the FDA received 227 reports of suicide or suicide attempts in the United States, with an additional 226 suicides or self-injury reports in the first quarter of 2008.
Chantix Suicides Reported with European Version of Drug : AboutLawsuits.com
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1 comment:
FATAL to RELATIONSHIPS: AGGRESION, VIOLENCE, MOOD SWINGS, HEADACHES, MILD NAUSEA, SUICIDE, HOMICIDE… Now you know the truth about the side effects, would you still take it? IT’S NOT SAFE!!!!My wife and I, married for five years with children, started taking Chantix 12-09-2008, until 12-20-2008. It is now 12-23-2008, and I have been off for 3 1/2 days. We are now separated after mutually assaulting each other. (Merry Christmas, Hey?) My face was mauled and she has a black eye. We spoke to our Doctor about consuming alcohol while using the drug during our office visit…her response was “There are no known adverse side effects or concerns.” (got stock?) OFFICIALLY: there have been NO studies of the drug related to alcohol consumption. We were completely sober as we had drinks socially the previous night without issue. DO NOT DO IT!!!!! This drug is wacked out, because you do not see how it effects your emotions until you’re off it or it’s too late. I wrote suicide notes, and hung a rope with a hangman’s knot…before help arrived!!!!!!!!! I am the lucky one, at least I’m here trying to help you even though this drug dismantled my family.. Remeber FenFen was supposed to be safe too in the 90’s, my mother died at 50 from heart failure due to complications from the titanium heart valve that had to be implanted as result of the side effects from that drug. The FDA can not be entrusted to approve safe drugs for everyone. Would you risk your life, marriage, and/or family to stop smoking? Do yourself and others a favor try Hynpo.
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