- Chantix Side Effects - New Stop Smoking Drug and Its Effect on the Brain
Chantix side effects occur because of the action of the
chemical varenicline on the neurotransmitters in the brain.
All regulation of body processes occur in the brain
and the new stop smoking drug Chantix affects the process of
transmission of these regulatory chemicals.
This results in the documented side effects of Chantix that
affect the gastrointestinal tract, behaviour, and mood.
In pharmaceutical clinical trials, the most common side effects of Chantix include:
Nausea (30%)
Constipation
Gas
Vomiting
Sleep problems (trouble sleeping, changes in dreaming)
Note that in this list the most common side effect is in the digestive tract.
This is very common with prescription drugs that are taken orally as they have to go through
your stomach and intestines in order to be absorbed into the system. It is reasonable to
expect that your body might react negatively to a chemical that is foreign.
Chantix also binds to specific receptors in the brain which are associated with nausea,
vomitting, and bowel motility so that is another cause of the common side effects of this
new stop smoking medicine.
The sleep problems are the result of the effect on the brain which is where the process of
sleep is regulated. In fact all regulatory mechanisms for body functions are in the brain.
So if a drug acts on brain chemistry it should not be surprising to find a wide range of
side effects including effects on mood and behaviour.
And it is in the area of mood and emotions where the inventory of Chantix side
effects gets really interesting.
In post marketing surveillance people using Chantix to stop smoking have reported a
serious adverse drug reaction that included feelings of hostility and agitation. There have been reports of
a depressed mood so serious that suicide was considered and attempted.
The drug manufacturer now includes warnings of the possibility of neuropsychiatric events such as depressed mood, agitation, changes in behaviour,
suicidal ideation and suicide in package inserts and prescribing information distributed to professionals.
There is no such thing as a risk free drug.
Inform yourself about any prescription drug that you might take.
The purpose of the information provided here is to help you cooperate with your doctor and other
health practitioners. It is not intended to take the place of medical advice and you are encouraged to
discuss health concerns with your physician or a professional health care provider who is
familiar with you and your unique personal health context.
