Chantix (generic name Varenicline) was hailed as a quit smoking wonder drug when it was launched a few years ago. This powerful mind altering drug blocks the pleasure receptors in your brain so that lighting-up that craved-for cigarette no longer gives you a buzz. It blocks the effect of the nicotine so that you stop getting your fix. Since you're no longer enjoying smoking you lose your craving, and your desire to smoke fades away. That's the theory, anyway! But even the manufacturers suggest you'll need 'behaviour modification' and 'counselling support.' You may need to take a course of treatment for up to twelve weeks, and you might need a second round of treatment if you're still craving cigarettes.
So it's not quite a wonder drug. And there are some well known side-effects which can be very serious. The less serious side-effects can include stomach upset, rashes and skin eruptions, drowsiness and vivid dreams. But remember that this drug works on your mind and some people have had to stop taking Chantix because of its effect on their mood.
Although doctors have issued millions of prescriptions for Chantix, enthusiasm for the drug was tempered by reports of aggressive behaviour and suicidal feelings in those people taking it. In 2008 reports about the adverse psychological effects prompted the US Food and Drug Administration to issue a Chantix safety warning.
Dr. Nancy Rigotti conducted Chantix research studies at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where she was director of the Tobacco Research and Treatment Unit.
"Those trials mostly enrolled people who were pretty healthy," she said. "They did not include people with depression or much of a history of depression."
Dr. Rigotti thought it was possible that Chantix, "might have more psychiatric side effects in certain groups of people."
Should you try it? There is no doubt that for many people it can be a significant factor in their quit smoking program. For some people it works where other, less drastic, methods have failed. You will need a good sympathetic doctor who has experience of prescribing Chantix and who can monitor you for the first signs of any dangerous side effects. You will also need counselling if you are to become a permanent non-smoker.
Taking Chantix is a serious step which can have dangerous repercussions if you are someone who is in the least susceptible to psychiatric disturbance. There are other less extreme methods you can use to quit smoking which may be more effective in the long term.
So it's not quite a wonder drug. And there are some well known side-effects which can be very serious. The less serious side-effects can include stomach upset, rashes and skin eruptions, drowsiness and vivid dreams. But remember that this drug works on your mind and some people have had to stop taking Chantix because of its effect on their mood.
Although doctors have issued millions of prescriptions for Chantix, enthusiasm for the drug was tempered by reports of aggressive behaviour and suicidal feelings in those people taking it. In 2008 reports about the adverse psychological effects prompted the US Food and Drug Administration to issue a Chantix safety warning.
Dr. Nancy Rigotti conducted Chantix research studies at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where she was director of the Tobacco Research and Treatment Unit.
"Those trials mostly enrolled people who were pretty healthy," she said. "They did not include people with depression or much of a history of depression."
Dr. Rigotti thought it was possible that Chantix, "might have more psychiatric side effects in certain groups of people."
Should you try it? There is no doubt that for many people it can be a significant factor in their quit smoking program. For some people it works where other, less drastic, methods have failed. You will need a good sympathetic doctor who has experience of prescribing Chantix and who can monitor you for the first signs of any dangerous side effects. You will also need counselling if you are to become a permanent non-smoker.
Taking Chantix is a serious step which can have dangerous repercussions if you are someone who is in the least susceptible to psychiatric disturbance. There are other less extreme methods you can use to quit smoking which may be more effective in the long term.
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