Chantix Use May Damage Mental Health
Recently, the FDA approved the sale of Chantix, a stop-smoking aid produced by Pfizer. Chantix is a medication that binds to some of the nicotine receptors in the brain, which reduces the body's craving for nicotine and helps people addicted to nicotine quit smoking. Although Chantix may help some smokers kick an unhealthy habit, it may cause disturbing, dangerous, or even life-threatening psychiatric symptoms in others.
According to Pfizer, the makers of Chantix, the drug may cause “agitation, hostility, depression, or changes in behavior, thinking, or mood that are not typical for you, or ... suicidal thoughts or actions, anxiety, panic, aggression, anger, mania, abnormal sensations, hallucinations, paranoia, or confusion.” These symptoms may begin when you start taking Chantix, or they may begin after you've been taking Chantix for several days or weeks. A few patients even experienced symptoms after they had finished taking Chantix.
If you experience any of these changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior, Pfizer recommends you stop taking Chantix and consult your doctor immediately. If you already suffer from depression, Pfizer suggests that you avoid taking Chantix altogether, as Chantix is known to make depression worse in some patients. In addition, if you take Chantix and begin thinking or feeling like you're going to hurt yourself or someone else, contact a trusted adult who can supervise you until you reach a doctor, or call 911.
The side effects of Chantix can be life-threatening. If you or a loved one has suffered dangerous side effects from taking Chantix, please don't hesitate to call a Page Law injury attorney. We have access to the experts necessary to hold negligent parties responsible for the damaging effects of medication side effects. Call Page Law today at 314-322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation of your personal injury case.
