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Chantix Side Effects

The Pfizer-produced drug Chantix, also known as Varenicline, is used to help patients quit tobacco- and nicotine-related products, in that it acts as a replacement for nicotine as a means of reducing the body’s craving for nicotine and the relief it produces when the body receives it. Chantix blocks the brain’s reception of pleasure from nicotine, thus reducing and eventually eliminating the urges caused by nicotine addiction. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the drug for use in 12-week segments, depending on success of the first 12 weeks.

Common side effects of Chantix include drowsiness, nausea, some vomiting, headaches, and difficulty with falling asleep, which has also been linked to the drug’s alleged role in psychosomatic illness, radical alterations in dreams, and potentially violent changes to the patient’s personality and emotional state. Chantix has also been known to cause constipation, stomach illness, flatulence, and serious vomiting.

As with any prescription medication, patients using Chantix should inform their physicians of any other prescription medications, vitamins, herbal stimulants and supplements, or over-the-counter drugs that they are already using. The combination of medications can lead to more extreme side effects. Women who are pregnant should not use Chantix, as the drug could potentially pass into breast milk and other necessary fluids, causing unknown side effects and complications for the unborn baby. People under 18 should also not use Chantix, as the drug has not been tested for teenagers.

In 2007 and 2008, the FDA determined that Chantix was potentially responsible for patients experiencing suicidal thoughts and tendencies. Other studies have shown that the smoking cessation drug has caused patients to become hostile, aggression, depression, and homicidal thoughts and actions. In cases of violence, aggression, and abnormal behavior in general, patients had seen progress in quitting their dependency on nicotine while other patients had no progress at all. The FDA has pointed out that common nicotine withdrawal symptoms could be responsible for the behavior issues, however Chantix could be acting as a withdrawal inhibitor, causing the suicidal and homicidal ideations to be much more severe.

Further evidence showed that the drug might also be linked to serious skin issues and optical interference. In some cases, the drug has even been reported to have affected the sense of taste.

Patients with a history of mental illness or depression have not been determined to be at a greater risk of alterations to behavior and mood than patients with no mental illness history. However, patients with a history should adhere to the doctor’s recommended use, as well should patients with histories of kidney problems. Patients using Chantix should not operate motor vehicles or any heavy machinery, and should report any changes in their behavior to their family or physicians immediately.

If you believe that you or someone you love has been harmed by taking Chantix, Newsome can help. Fill out our case evaluation form to the right of the screen and one of our experienced Chantix defective drug attorneys will advise you of your legal rights and help you get financial compensation for your suffering.