Anti-smoking Drug Chantix Linked to Suicide, Other Injuries
Chantix (Varenicline Tartrate) was introduced by Pfizer in May 2006 to assist people who looked to quit smoking. Pfizer marketed Chantix as an effective drug in preventing nicotine from stimulating brain receptors, thus decreasing the urge to smoke. Today three million smokers have been prescribed Chantix.
Not long after its introduction, Pfizer began to receive reports of patients on Chantix attempting or committing suicide. In November 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began looking into reports of agitation, depression and suicidal thoughts among Chantix-users. The FDA then indicated that since Chantix’s 2006 introduction, 37 suicides had occurred and over 400 attempts were documented.
On February 1, 2008, the FDA released an advisory, which outlined the risks of taking Chantix.
Side Effects of Chantix
- Suicide or attempts at suicide
- Suicidal thoughts
- Depressed moods
- Changes in behavior, including unexplained aggression
If you or a loved one have been prescribed Chantix and have attempted suicide (or death by suicide), contact the Chantix Suicide Attorneys at Craig Swapp & Associates for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call us today at 1-800-404-9000 or submit details of your case online.
