Varenicline
- Champix and Chantix as Stop Smoking Medications
Varenicline tartrate is the chemical in the stop smoking medications sold as Champix and Chantix.
Using chemicals to support a nicotine withdrawal needs
serious consideration in the overall treatment decision to help stop smoking. Medications can have
psychotropic effects, and these ones have been shown to have some serious side effects that can
affect your mental health.
Balance the harmful effects of smoking cigarettes against the
serious side effects of these stop smoking drugs.
Champix (Canada) and Chantix (USA)
Neuropsychiatric Drug Warnings
These stop smoking drugs are reported to reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms,
especially cravings.
There is some evidence that the drug reduces the "pleasure" sensation in the smoker's brain so that the
nicotine hit is not as pleasurable.
In order to accomplish this action the drug must work on brain chemistry and neurotransmitters so it is not
surprising that some neuropsychiatric side effects of these stop smoking medications have now been
identified.
In 2008 Pfizer, the company that markets varenicline notified authorities of serious post marketing neuropsychiatric
adverse events.
These are specified to be:
- hostility
- agitation
- depressed mood
- suicidal thoughts
In 2008 the FDA in the United States issued a warning to consumers regarding Chantix. Health Canada followed with a similar warning
in 2009 about Champix. Both warnings indicated that there may be an association between varenicline
and "serious neuropsychiatric symptoms."
The drug monographs included with the medication were subsequently modified to include this new information and the
drugs remain legally available by prescription in both countries.
Many people have had success using these stop smoking medications without any hint of the
serious side effects issued in
Pfizer's warning. However, the warning is there because some people have been adversely affected
by the use of these prescription drugs.
Your decision to use a drug that affects the brain neuro-chemistry should be made based on thorough
investigation of the risks and benefits, assessment of your own needs, knowledge of your own response to medications
and drugs, and of course consultation with a health care professional qualified
to assist you with the quit smoking decision.
Go back to Stop Smoking Pills - Using Chantix and the Drug Zyban
to Control Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms
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The Real Dangers of Cigarette Smoking
