Quit-Smoking Drug Receives More Attention from the FDA

Although Chantix was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration back in May of 2006, the FDA is taking another look at the drug after numerous problems with dangerous side effects have been reported to doctors across the nation. The severe side effects of Chantix became a major concern after the shooting death of Carter Albrecht, a Dallas musician who was killed after going on a psychotic rampage while using the drug. This event prompted others to report their side effects, providing the FDA with a multitude of information and cause to further investigate the drug. The increased reports of side effects such as suicidal thoughts, depression, and abusive behavior, have led the FDA to believe that there is a strong likelihood that the use of Chantix is responsible for these neuropsychiatric concerns.



On February 1st, 2008, the FDA issued a Public Health Advisory for Pfizer's drug, Chantix. The advisory warned consumers of the issues surrounding the serious side effects of the drug and stated that Pfizer has been asked to better label the drug, providing doctors and patients more information and warning about the possible side effects of Chantix. This information will allow doctors and patients to make a more educated decision on whether or not Chantix is an appropriate drug for their needs.



Chantix works within the brain, affecting the portions of the brain that respond to nicotine. Chantix provides these portions of the brain the sensation of nicotine, allowing the patient to quit smoking without the difficult withdrawal symptoms. If smokers decide to smoke while taking Chantix, the drug will work to block the regular effect of nicotine. Although the drug has proven to be effective in efficiently ending patients' addiction to nicotine, the serious side effects cannot be ignored.



The Public Health Advisory also issued a set of guidelines for doctors and patients to use in order to avoid the problematic side effects associated with the drug. The guidelines state that patients should always inform their doctor of any history of psychiatric illness before beginning Chantix, patients and doctors should carefully monitor behavior and mood changes in patients, and patients should report any change in behavior or mood to their doctor immediately.



As the FDA continues to receive information on Chantix, the public will be notified of any important findings. The FDA will conduct further investigations into the connection between the use of Chantix and serious neuropsychiatric problems. Finally, the Public Health Advisory suggests that it may require Pfizer to make more changes to their labeling if information is found to warrant another review of the drug and its side effects.



If you have questions concerning the negative side effects of Chantix, contact the Chantix lawyers of Williams Kherkher via http://www.williamskherkher.com/chantix_lawyer.aspx. Their lawyers will be more than happy to answer any questions concerning any negative side effects of Chantix that you might have.

Quit-Smoking Drug Receives More Attention from the FDA

Although Chantix was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration back in May of 2006, the FDA is taking another look at the drug after numerous problems with dangerous side effects have been reported to doctors across the nation. The severe side effects of Chantix became a major concern after the shooting death of Carter Albrecht, a Dallas musician who was killed after going on a psychotic rampage while using the drug. This event prompted others to report their side effects, providing the FDA with a multitude of information and cause to further investigate the drug. The increased reports of side effects such as suicidal thoughts, depression, and abusive behavior, have led the FDA to believe that there is a strong likelihood that the use of Chantix is responsible for these neuropsychiatric concerns.



On February 1st, 2008, the FDA issued a Public Health Advisory for Pfizer's drug, Chantix. The advisory warned consumers of the issues surrounding the serious side effects of the drug and stated that Pfizer has been asked to better label the drug, providing doctors and patients more information and warning about the possible side effects of Chantix. This information will allow doctors and patients to make a more educated decision on whether or not Chantix is an appropriate drug for their needs.



Chantix works within the brain, affecting the portions of the brain that respond to nicotine. Chantix provides these portions of the brain the sensation of nicotine, allowing the patient to quit smoking without the difficult withdrawal symptoms. If smokers decide to smoke while taking Chantix, the drug will work to block the regular effect of nicotine. Although the drug has proven to be effective in efficiently ending patients' addiction to nicotine, the serious side effects cannot be ignored.



The Public Health Advisory also issued a set of guidelines for doctors and patients to use in order to avoid the problematic side effects associated with the drug. The guidelines state that patients should always inform their doctor of any history of psychiatric illness before beginning Chantix, patients and doctors should carefully monitor behavior and mood changes in patients, and patients should report any change in behavior or mood to their doctor immediately.



As the FDA continues to receive information on Chantix, the public will be notified of any important findings. The FDA will conduct further investigations into the connection between the use of Chantix and serious neuropsychiatric problems. Finally, the Public Health Advisory suggests that it may require Pfizer to make more changes to their labeling if information is found to warrant another review of the drug and its side effects.



If you have questions concerning the negative side effects of Chantix, contact the Chantix lawyers of Williams Kherkher via http://www.williamskherkher.com/chantix_lawyer.aspx. Their lawyers will be more than happy to answer any questions concerning any negative side effects of Chantix that you might have.

Successful Quit-Smoking Aids - Avoid Withdrawal Symptoms

If there was one person who correctly portrayed how hard it is to quit smoking, then there is no one as right as Mark Twain. He said that it is quite simple because he surely has done it a thousand times! Though many people just dropped the habit like that, they usually took it up within the next few days!



To ensure that you quit this habit successfully, there are many quit smoking aids that are available. Before committing to a particular product, it would be best if you could take your doctor or your dentist's advice.



Most smokers are more afraid of the withdrawal symptoms than they are of quitting. Such withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, fatigue, cough, anger, insomnia and in many cases rapid weight gains too. Such fear of withdrawal symptoms usually stops people from even giving smoking aids a try.



Here are some of the time tested methods that would help you quit smoking really soon.



Nicotine chewing gum or nicotine patches are the most popularly known aids to help a person kick the smoking habit. These products work on the nicotine replacement therapy. These aids would give your body the necessary amount of nicotine that it needs without the harmful chemicals that are found in a cigarette. Since these products have nicotine in them, there is a very high chance of re-addiction.



You can also find prescription based drugs that are nicotine free. Since these drugs do not have nicotine and since they are prescribed, they have to taken under a medical practitioner's care. Alternatively bupropion hydrochloride, an anti-depressant, is well known to eradicate withdrawal symptoms and thus help kick the habit. Champix, is also well known to reduce the level of satisfaction derived from smoking, thus helping you to kick the habit.



It would be best if you could follow a particular process when looking forward to quitting cigarettes. Always ensure that you decide to give up the habit, make the necessary preparations and then go ahead and choose the right aid to help you quit smoking.