Hi Mark,

I am really sorry to hear about your father. No one should have to die to quit smoking.

What you are bringing up is a very serious matter. More and more people are coming forward with serious side effects from using Chantix.

We all have to remember that it is still a fairly new drug. It only came out in 2006.

There was a famous musician that went on a rage rampage a while back while on Chantix. You might have heard about it. He was the guitar player for the New Bohemians. He was drinking and went into a fit of rage and ended up getting killed.

I'm not bringing this up to prove that Chantix has some serious nasty side effects, because he was also drinking, so there was probably a combination going on, but after that incident did happen, there was a website set up for people that may also have had adverse reactions to the drug.

Within one week, there were 55 reports that people had commited suicide while taking this drug and many many more cam forward talking about having suicidal thoughts and either extreme depression and or uncontrollable rage.

Phizer says there are 6 major side effects to the meds, but they have a list where there are actually 164 side effects people have experienced while on the drug.

Everything from vomiting, to nosebleeds, to arthritis, to liver damage, to depression, rage, etc.

A lot of people have used Chantix without these side effects. that's great. The part that isn't great are the people that are experiencing these side effects.

See, here is the problem. The 6 major side effects that people experienced when taking the drug, were done in studies. Controlled studies.

This means that people with high blood pressure, low blood pressure, heart disease, over weight, under weight, depression, etc. weren't allowed to particpate in the studies.

So guess what happens when Chantix was released to the general population? All these people that were omitted from being able to partcipate in the controlled studies, essentially became guinea pigs for this drug.

This is why now, there are more and more people experiencing symptoms than before.

The FDA released a suicide warning video recently on Chantix and it was mysteriously removed almost as fast as it was aired.

Personally, I take serious issue with the pharmaceutical industry as they instill fear into people trying to quit smoking and I especially take issue with Phizer for rushing out a drug like this, so that they can profit.

Again, I am sorry about your father. No one should have to die to quit smoking and up until Chantix, no one did.

I don't come by here often, but if you're trying to get the message out there on this information. I have access to quite a bit information on Chantix and the FDA video.

You can send me a private message and I'll get back here and respond.

Take care

Eric

Thank you Eric,

I am aware of the airing and posting of the FDA video, It's amazing the power that these big pharma companies have over their own regulators. I have researched this product heavily as I am a scientist working within drug discovery and find a frightening indication of the problems associated with Pfizers Champix (Chantix). At some point these frightening accounts of serious side effects will cause a lack of confidence in their product and the medical profesion will follow suit, at least the ones that like to continue with their oath of helping people. Unfortunately Pfizer will always have the ability to say that quitting smoking alone can cause behavioral alterations.

Unfortunately for me and my family this will of course be too late. But if I can help to force change in the monitoring and the control of the over-prescription of this drug, it will go some way towards satisfaction at our end.

Any info that you have please feel free to contact me through pm.

Best Regards

Mark

I'm very sorry for your loss. However Chantix was a MAJOR lifesaver for me and my husband both. We both took Chantix for a month and have been non-smokers for 4 months now. After 3 days the nicotine is completely out of your system and it's totally a psychological "battle" after that. If you understand it and know yourself you're truly home-free after the initial 3 days. People read stories like this and use it as an excuse to go back to smoking after having quit. That makes me sad. There's too many things that could've been at work in your father's case that we don't know about. Not to mention it's common knowledge you're NOT supposed to drink or use any other meds while taking Chantix.

I'm so sorry for your loss it's shocking and so so sad.

I have just googled champix side effects never expecting to find anything as terrible as this.

I have stopped smoking with champix, they worked brilliantly and did what they were supposed to, i had mild nausea and vivid dreams which were no problem at all.

On my fourth week i suddenly stopped sleeping properly, was waking up filled with adrenalin, i began having panic attacks and serious mood swings, i became paranoid and jealous and accused my partner of all sorts of wrong doings none of which existed.

After a week of this behaviour i stopped taking the tablets and after a couple of days i began to return to normal. It has now been two weeks since i stopped taking them and i'm still having strange episodes of paranoia and my relationship has suffered greatly.

I don't recommend these tablets at all.

I agree that the research wasn't adequate and all users of this drug are now the guinea pigs.

I know my experience cannot compare to your loss but nevertheless it has changed my life for the worse and unnecessarily.

My sincerest best wishes to you and your family.

I began taking champix in january 2009 and at the beginning I felt great and it was extremely easy to stop smoking...I havent had a smoke now for nearly 8 weeks.

However, I started having major mood swings, feeling depressed and becoming quite violent...I have had 2 episodes now - 1 where I have smashed a plate, and another where I have punched a hole in the wall.....I have NEVER been a violent person in my life.

I visited my doctor and he advised I go off these tablets and come back and see him in a couple of weeks.

I am just so pissed off that I have to go through this and feel like this, and my poor family are also suffering.....I think the doctors are giving these tablets out too quickly and not explaining the side effects, my doctor didnt tell me anything about the side effects. I dont feel suicidal but am finding it extremely difficult to contain my anger and moods.....

Will I ever be back to my 'old' self???

Hi i am from uk Belfast and would love to get involved with banning this drug or at least for people to be told the extreme dangers,Myself and my boyfriend took Champix in October 2007,he took a break down and had severe probelm s mentally but also physical as well.I myself suffered and i am so upset this drug is still on shelves.
We both had the most horrible time and to be honest still are working on are relationship.We now have realised after both suffering from acute psychotic depression that we now need couple conciling.
We are together over ten years and where perfect happy people,oh yes we dont smoke,but its nearly been two years since we took that drug and are still suffering,i hope any one who is about to take this drug will read this and stop smoking naturally as this is a very dangerous drug,all that i am happy for is that me and boyfriend are still alive,and if we can get through this we will get through any thing.
I am so sorry for any one who lost family or friends due to this drug,and i and my boy friend will stand up with others if need be to stop them using this drug,if you need to contact me will set something up or contact my email.
For any one who is having bad thoughts now even after 6 months till a year after taking this drug ,go to doctors and get prozac or any anti depressiant as this will even out the chemical imbalance in the brain that champix wiped out...
Its nearly two years since i took this drug and i am still reaping the effects,why will no one listen to me or my boyfriend ,the nhs couldnt gave a dam...
Some one out there will most likely kill them selves over taking this drug,my advice is to keep smoking and enjoy every puff,it is so not worth what we have went through..
l...75..uk

I am very sorry for your loss.

2 weeks ago I started experiencing VERY disturbing side effects -- extreme agitation, psychotic symptoms (voices etc) extreme suicidality and severe depression.

My partner took me to the local ER and I am now being followed by a doc and mental health team. They have medicated me for the psychosis which is pretty much gone and I am left with a deep depression and anxiety.

I have also started smoking again which I am very upset about as champix has been the only thing that has gotten me to quit for so long. However, my life isn't worth it and had I not had such a caring, quick thinking partner I may have been dead too.

the antipsychotics are helping and I will be going on an antidepressant to try to get back to normal.

-ml

reading all these comments is really freaking me out. my bf recently started taking champix, i'm talking like 2 days ago. already he has started to notice that he gets angry etc. this morning he threw his phone across the room and smashed it. this is only 2 days of being on it. he soo badly wants to quit smoking but should i continue to let him take these tablets? i'm so worried of of these terrble things might happen to him....

scared!

I always say that if you are not sure, you better not take it. Reading from the above comments and replies, and based form the other threads reports of champix's adverse effects, you might want to consider asking for some medical advice from real professionals. However, I still want to imply that all medications and or drugs, do have their adverse or side effects.

My brother commited suicide last week 10th Aug 09 ... he had been on Champix and while taking the course had been prescribed anti depresants from the Doctor !!!!
My brother had everything to live for, 3 beautiful children and a lovely wife , married 25 years & 2 holidays a year !! After being on the anti smoking drug he ended up stressed at work and depressed.
He was a hard working man who succeeded in everything he set out to do, he was a timid person who would never hurt a fly let alone take his own life !!!
He would never have left his children or killed himself knowing that his family would find him ( which is what happened).

Pilots & Air Traffic Controlers are banned from taking the drug in America ... WHY ????

THIS DRUG NEEDS TO BE BANNED before another Husband ,father , son , brother , nephew loses his life for NO REASON !!!!!

i had a recent bout of side effects after 3 days on the champix..i felt extremly tired weak and on the 3rd day i went to bed and awoke 2 hours later with my bed sheets soaked with sweat ,,i was ahving a hard time breathing as well..very light headed ..thought it could be somthing else like onset of heart problem so went to er..where doc told me to go off strait away..that was 2 days ago and now just starting to feel better..im sorry to hear about all of your probs with this drug and if i continued i could of been in bigger trouble..

I can't believe I'm reading all this, now I understand why I feel so sad and keep crying. I quit smoking using Champix and have been so sad since, I have no reason to be so sad all in my life is great then I was told that Champix can do this, why didn't my doctor tell me, how dare he ruin my life. Does this sadness get any better

Doesn't the warning label say not to drink alcohol while taking Chantix? Seems like alot of these Chantix-related suicides seem to be alcohol dependent (from what I have googled).
I know it's rather new but Chantix now explicitly states that any underlying psychological conditions can become exacerbated.
Based on Chantix's mode of action in the brain I don't really see how it could cause severe psychotic events in people who are not already predisposed to said events in the first place.
Very unfortunate though for those who fall into this category, mainly because there is no sure-fire way of knowing whether or not you could be at risk for the more severe side effects

I am a 44 year old female, who started to smoke 27 years ago (1980). I smoked 25 strong brand cigarettes per day. In the past I have tried to quit smoking using many other methods.

I start using Champix Thursday January 24, 2008. On day 3-4 the cigarettes had already tasted different and it felt as though I was sucking the end of a pen.

I planned to stop the 9th day, Saturday, February 2, 2008. But on the 8th day I actually forget to smoke that morning, so I stopped February 1, 2008. I experienced having unusual dreams but no increase in appetite or any other serious side effects. I felt relaxed, calm and totally in control. Never before have had I found it so easy to stop smoking.

I stopped using Champix after 10 weeks on April 3, 2008.

On March 12, 2008 I had a severe headache (migraine), vomiting and very painful muscle spasms in my legs. March 14, 2008 I had a multiple sclerosis relapse - foot drop (weakness in dorsiflexors). MS diagnosed in 2007, using Avonex (interferon beta-1a) injections once a week.

Between April, 2008 and January, 2009 I experienced the following:
* Insomnia: I suddenly stopped sleeping properly, I will sometimes wake up after 3-4 hours and my brain is very hyper active. Other times I will not be able to fall asleep at all.
* Depression: Very severe black depression and I could hardly breathe.
* Suicidal: I had frequent suicidal ideas and thoughts. I was thinking and planning how to commit to suicide.
* Heart rhythm disturbances, fast heartbeat
* Hair loss
* Amnesia
* Attention deficit
* Intense feeling of being helplessness
...just to name a few (I am not mentioning side-effects I could relate to MS).

It is 18 months since I stopped using Champix and I still did not start smoking (for which I am extremely grateful). I am still using medication for insomnia and depression, and hope to wean gradually off the medication without having permanent and/or long term effects.

But to experience all this, not knowing what is wrong with me and all the questions if this is MS or not, was an extremely terrifying experience! If it was not for the complaints of others on the www, I would have been still in the dark, because my doctors could not help me. Thank you so much.

I am sorry to here of the devistation caused by this drug. I am thinking of trying the drug to help me to stop smoking so i'm resarching the side effects etc. I do suffer from mind depression and wonderwed is there was any advise or research on the drug being use by people who have suffered from depression? if you can help that would be great.

Thanks

My husband and i have also tried Champix (however only 1 a day)nautious, we had been given up for 5months(is great) - had relaps was going to try champix but little depressed so will not go there(will use willpower)- i am sorry about your loss - 3 years ago we lost our daughter at 15 to suicide hers was depression - i wonder are we just looking for any excuse/answers to what suicide does to us left behind - i say if depressed the last thing to do is give up smoking at all.

Hello Everyone! I have now been on the champix pills for 3 weeks. At around day 6 I started feeling sick to my stomach, severe headaches, tired, angry, and depressed. I slept day 7 and 8 away pretty much...had absolutely no appetite during this time yet I forced myself to eat toast so I could get my pills into me. On day 9 my mood got extremely worse I realized that I needed to speak to my doctor about my side effects. He told me I should just take 1 pill a day instead of 2. So I have been taking half a pill in the morning and half with dinner. I have to admit after lowering my dosage I hardly have anymore side effects. Still have a headache that comes and goes during the day. I have anger issues I cant even begin to explain all the for instances that have occured. (road rage, unexplained crying, accusing my boyfriend of silly ridiculous things and many more things that are just not me. I am now on day 21 and I can honestly say i'm not taking anymore of these pills after reading all your messages. My 2 year old and 3 month old boys do not need to see me like this. I need energy to deal with my children and this pill is not worth it. I have quit smoking in the past. I find that I'm a social smoker and not one that needs to smoke first thing in the morning to function. I have been battling quitting smoking for about 3 years on and off. I will go on will power and self determination rather than end up crazy. I have been dependent on cigarettes for 16 years. My doctor recommended I try this. I just cant believe that 3 weeks ago I sat in his office and asked him if there were any side effects and he told me not really. I especially recalled asking him if there were any long term side effects and said just reports of minor side effects ie headaches, upset stomach, loss of appetite and may cause mild depression. I think my doctor should do some more research so that he can well inform his patients about the medicine he prescribes.

Thank you for your post and thank you for reading mine.

Ps I can definitly see a completely healthy person developing a serious deep depression from this drug if the arent a heavy smoker in the first place and especially if they continue to take the full dosage.

Hi everyone i am extremeley angry about these champix tablets being given out by doctors without explaining in full detail of the awful side affects.
My father commited suicide in july 2009, and i believe the pill champix was the reason, my father had not suffered any problems before had no financial problems was in a happy realationship. He had suffered a lot of the side affects from the tablets, at the tim we did not know the amount of people harming them selves, i think these tablets should be BANNED ASAP to prevent other people having to go through the pain and suffering my family and myself are feeling.

A very interesting forum and quite worrying. What interests me is the severity of the reactions and the different time scales they seem to become apparent.
I myself am at the end of the third week of a Champix course, so far it has been extremley effective at helping with withdrawal from nicotine and the habitual side from regular smoking. I did however smoke, although it being a reduced quantity into the 14th day and had the odd one afterwards, now three days with none, still want one, but only fleetingly.
yes, so far there are noticable, but tolerable side-effects: namely a persistant headache situated to the right centre of the skull where a headache has never been felt before! Additional side effects are tiredness and a little dysphoric (not depressed) as many reports suggest as the major side effect.
In defence of Champix, had I given up without any additional drug or replacement I would currently be going up the wall by now, picking up cigarette butts from the ground and be in an absolutely foul mood giving all around me hell...So on that note the actual withdrawal of nicotine is unpleasant and with many side effects on its own merit; I think that some of these feelings are being confused with the effects of Champix.
Sorry to those of you who have experienced great loss.