FDA: Chantix must carry mental health warning - Article
Labels: article, depression, suicide 2 commentsFDA: Chantix must carry mental health warning
Smoking cessation drug now required to warn of depression, suicide risks
The Food and Drug Administration will require Pfizer Inc.'s smoking cessation drug Chantix to carry the agency's strongest safety warning over a series of mental health side effects, including depression and suicidal thoughts.
The new requirement is based on reports of people experiencing unusual changes in behavior, becoming depressed, or having suicidal thoughts while taking the drug.
Pfizer Inc. had already updated the drug's labeling, following the beginning of an FDA investigation into the potential side effects in 2007.
The FDA is also requiring an additional study on the drugs to determine the extent of the side effects.
Original Article Link
July 1, 2009 6:45 PM
My husband who's never suffered from depression tried this medication out to help him quit smoking. He eventually started feeling suicidal so he went back to his doctor and told him he wasn't going to take it. His doctor said he never heard tell of that drug causing any problems like that and tried to put him on anti-depressants. My husband vetoed that idea and was fine as soon as Chantix was out of his system.
July 1, 2009 6:55 PM
About a year or so ago a rash of mental health problems brought the chantix side effects to the surface so I am a little surprised it took this long for an official warning
http://www.untreatableonline.com/2008/02/chantix-quit-smoking-and-welcome-to.html