A public health advisory has been issued for patients taking the drug Chantix, a popular medicine used to help people quit smoking.

The United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday issued the advisory “to alert patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to important changes to Chantix prescribing information”, a press release stated.

The drug’s manufacturer, Pfizer, is required to update prescribing information to include new warnings about the risks to patients taking Chantix, including anxiety, nervousness, tension, depressed mood, unusual behaviors and thinking about or attempting suicide, reports The Independent Reporter On Chantix.

Interestingly, in an article published in December 10th issue of Pharmalot and titled as Chantix To Get Suicide Warnings In… Australia the author writes that "The Pfizer smoking cessation drug will go on sale Down Under next month, but with warnings of links to suicidal thoughts, according to news.com.au. Packs of tablets will contain extra info warning that some patients have suffered from depression, agitation and suicidal thoughts while taking the drug. And Dear Doctor letters are being sent.

"The FDA, however, has yet to take the same step (as Furious Seasons notes). Last month, the agency began a review after receiving reports from Pfizer of suicidal thoughts and aggressive and erratic behavior in patients who have taken Chantix. More than 5,000 adverse events have been reported to the FDA."

Now the FDA is taking the long due necessary measures and sending a warning message to smokers and the medical community about the serious mental risks of this anti-smoking medication Chantix.

In a special blog called Chantix Review and dedicated to selling Chantix online, the writer provides the following background information about Chantix, which we believe in this case will help our readers to recognize and external look of this anti-smoking medication with serious health risks.

Chantix comes in 2 different types of tablets. Tablets should be taken at different periods during the prescribed dosage of Chantix. The tablets come in 2 different types and each type corresponds to a particular dosage.

Chantix White Tablets

The white tablets should be taken during the first week of treatment. They contain 0.5mg of Varenicline. For the first 3 days you should take only 1 of these. I used to take them in the morning but this isn’t set in stone, whatever you prefer.

After the third day you are able to take 2 of these pills everyday. I used to take my normal one with breakfast and then take one after dinner. It’s prescribed to take these Chantix tablets for the remainder of your first week.

Chantix Blue Tablets

The blue tablets should be taken from week 2 onwards. The recommended period is 12 weeks but I was able to give up smoking a lot sooner than that, it only took me 5 weeks.

The blue tablets are a slightly higher dosage. By the time I started taking these I was completely off the cigarettes and I am guessing that’s why you need a higher Chantix dosage. I kept the usual system going during the period, a tablet every morning and night after my meals.

Pfizer has updated the special report page on Chantix with the following safety information.

Important Safety Information about CHANTIX

Pfizer is committed to patient safety. As such, we have updated the CHANTIX prescribing information to highlight information you should know and should discuss with your doctor.

What do you need to know?

1. You should be aware that some patients have reported depressed mood, agitation, changes in behavior, suicidal thinking or behavior when attempting to quit smoking while taking CHANTIX. If you experience any of these symptoms, or if your family or caregiver observes these symptoms, please tell your doctor immediately.

2. If you have ever had depression or other mental health problems, tell your doctor before taking CHANTIX. Quitting smoking, with or without CHANTIX, can result in nicotine withdrawal symptoms (such as depressed mood, agitation) or a worsening of underlying psychiatric illness, such as depression.

What else should you know about smoking cessation and CHANTIX?

Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States, with more than 430,000 US deaths annually associated with smoking. Quitting smoking can lead to many health benefits including a reduction in the chance of having lung disease, heart disease or getting cancer.

CHANTIX is one of a number of treatment options available to help you quit smoking.

The most common side effects of CHANTIX include: nausea, sleep disturbance (trouble sleeping or vivid, unusual, or increased dreaming) constipation, gas, and vomiting.

This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your condition or treatment. Please speak with your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have.

Sincerely,
Martina Flammer, MD
Senior Medical Director
Pfizer Inc