Does Chantix Cause Mental Health Problems?
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD
Some of the details of this tragedy can be found online via the ABC news story but the key points were that Mr Albrecht was actually killed by being shot in the head by a neighbor as he banged on the neighbor’s door, but that his girlfriend felt that his bizarre behavior may have been caused by the Chantix he was taking at the time.
Regular readers of this blog will know that this issue has come up before – see:
“Chantix: how does this new stop smoking medicine work?” 4/15/07
http://www.healthline.com/blogs/smoking_cessation/2007/04/chantix-how-does-this-new-quit-smoking.html
“Chantix and mental illness: what are the facts?” 08/12/07
http://www.healthline.com/blogs/smoking_cessation/2007/08/chantix-and-mental-illness.html
“Two new studies of Chantix (varenicline)”. 08/19/07
http://www.healthline.com/blogs/smoking_cessation/2007/08/two-new-studies-of-chantix-varenicline.html
There have been a number of comments from people who experienced frightening dreams, anxiety attacks, depression and suicidal thoughts while on the medicine, as well as the suicide of a family member. The number and pattern of these comments were sufficient to cause me some concern and so I decided to take another look at the published reports of the clinical trials of Chantix and also speak to a number of colleagues who treat many patients with Chantix, in order to try to get a sense of whether these experiences may be caused by Chantix, rather than other potential causes (including nicotine withdrawal effects).
On looking at the evidence from the clinical trials, it is more consistent with the idea that Chantix reduces depressive thoughts, rather than increases them. For example, one large study was published in JAMA on July 2006 comparing the outcomes of 352 smokers treated with Chantix (varenicline), 329 people treated with Zyban (bupropion) and 344 people treated with identical placebo pills. This was a randomized double-blind trial meaning that no-one knew which type of pills they received until the end. 22% quit completely for a year on Chantix, as did 16% on Zyban and 8% on placebo. The paper reported on changes in “negative affect” (a combination of unpleasant mood symptoms including depression and irritability). Patients on Chantix reported a significantly SMALLER increase in these symptoms than patients taking placebo. Zyban had a similar effect of reducing negative affect compared with placebo pills. The paper also listed adverse events reported by participants. The main symptom that was clearly reported more frequently by Chantix users was nausea, reported by 28% of Chantix users, compared with 13% on Zyban and 8% on placebo. Of the psychiatric disorders mentioned, only “abnormal dreams” appeared to be more common on Chantix (10%), compared with 6% on Zyban and 6% on placebo. There was no clear difference in reports of serious irritability (6%, 5%, 6%) and fewer patients on Chantix reported insomnia (14%) than did patients on Zyban (22%). In terms of “serious” adverse events, these were no more common for Chantix than placebo and the single case of a serious psychiatric event (acute exacerbation of schizophrenia) occurred in a patient taking placebo pills.
Another almost identical trial was reported by Jorenby and colleagues in the same issue of JAMA, with very similar results (i.e. higher quit rates with Chantix, along with lower reported negative affect [mood] than placebo, but higher rates of nausea.). Serious adverse events again were rare and scattered evenly across the different types of pills with little clear pattern, but there was one report of “acute psychosis, emotional lability” in the Chantix group (out of 344 taking Chantix). This study did, however, find a higher rate of “abnormal dreams” on Chantix (13%) than Zyban (6%) or placebo (4%). The earlier studies designed to identify the best dose of Chantix also had similar findings (dose-dependent increase in nausea and abnormal dreams) but no real evidence of other mental health symptoms. For example, Nides and colleagues found 10% on placebo and 12% on the high dose of Chantix reported serious “irritability’, and that “depression was not observed as an adverse event with varenicline (Chantix) treatment.”
The data sheet for prescribers of Chantix notes that 4500 people were exposed to Chantix during its premarketing development and that discontinuation of treatment due to adverse events was rare. The most frequent reason was nausea (3% for Chantix versus 0.5% for placebo). 0.3% reported discontinuing Chantix because of abnormal dreams as did 0.2% on placebo pills. As with all medications, the data sheet has a long list of symptoms experienced by participants in the trials, including “Psychotic disorder, suicidal ideation” as “rare”. Note – this does not imply that the drug caused these events – just that they occurred rarely in people taking the drug. Overall, the pattern of results from trials of Chantix suggest that with the exception of abnormal or vivid dreams, psychiatric symptoms such as depression or negative affect are LESS likely to occur in people taking Chantix to quit smoking, than in people taking placebo pills while quitting smoking.
However, one has to bear in mind that early clinical trials typically exclude patients currently being treated for mental health and other serious health problems. So the possibility remains that the drug may cause problems in types of patients that were not included in the initial trials. That’s where post-marketing surveillance is important. This is something that the pharmaceutical companies and doctors routinely carry out. For my part, I simply asked a large group of colleagues who are experienced in treating “real patients” with Chantix and other treatments, whether they had noticed any signs of worsening mental health associated with Chantix use. The clinicians I spoke to estimated that they had been involved in the treatment of over 2000 patients with Chantix, including patients with co-occurring serious mental health and other medical problems. There was a pretty clear consensus that while there were a few isolated cases (a couple) of patients reporting mental health problems, these were not noticeably more frequent than one normally encounters with other treatments (e.g. nicotine replacement or Zyban, or counseling with no medication).
So overall I am somewhat reassured that Chantix is a safe medicine that is effective at helping smokers to quit. But why the rash of reports on the internet of depression and bizarre behavior? Firstly, I don’t doubt that these people’s experiences are real and in some cases, very serious. I also think it is plausible that some (probably a minority) could be directly linked to Chantix. In some cases it could be an unusual interaction between the individual, the medicine and maybe another drug (including alcohol) they are taking. But for most, I suspect the serious behavioral/psychiatric problems experienced are unlikely to be caused by Chantix. Here are my reasons:
1. For highly addicted smokers, mood disturbance and altered thinking is common when quitting smoking, even without taking any medication.
2. The evidence described above, indicates that with the exception of abnormal dreams, Chantix reduces the severity of mood/psychological disturbance experienced while trying to quit smoking.
3. Around 3 million Americans have taken Chantix to try to quit smoking. Among that many smokers trying to quit for a month or two, one would expect a few thousand or more to have serious symptoms of depression etc even if they were not taking a medicine to help them. But when someone has these symptoms while taking a new drug, it is perfectly natural to conclude that the drug may have caused the symptom. In these days of widespread internet access, chat-rooms etc, that easily turns into a few hundred patients reporting similar symptoms on the internet while taking the same drug.
It therefore appears that if Chantix causes any serious mental health problems at all (which remains unproven), it is extremely rare (perhaps in the order of one per thousand). So my advice is that if you are considering quitting smoking and are interested in taking an FDA-approved medicine, whether it be nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion or Chantix, then you should not be put off by relatively isolated reports of side effects. The highest quality of evidence (from randomized placebo-controlled trials) demonstrates that these medicines are safe and will roughly double your chances of successfully quitting smoking. However, everyone reacts to medicines differently, and if you start to experience a worrying symptom that you believe may be caused by the medicine you should consult your doctor immediately. Even better, when you see your doctor to obtain a prescription, you should arrange a follow-up visit within a week or so of starting the medicine in order to discuss your progress, side-effects etc. If you have any concerns between appointments, call your doctor. It is also wise to get as much additional support from friends, family, telephone quitlines etc as possible. There is a national (US) toll-free number for telephone counseling (1-877-448-7848) and in the case of Chantix users in the US, there is additional support available via http://www.chantix.com/ .
Finally, anyone who believes there to be a causal link between use of a medication and a severe adverse event (e.g. depression, suicidal ideation, suicide, or any other serious adverse event), whether it be in yourself, your patient or a family member, should report it to the MedWatch program at: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/how.htm . This is one of the main mechanisms of post-marketing surveillance that can help identify rare or previously unknown risks from medicines.
Labels: cessation, Chantix, cigarette smoking, varenicline
33 Comments:
At Fri Sep 21, 12:16:00 PM 2007,
Anonymous said…
i tried chantix it did not work,is there anything else
At Mon Sep 24, 05:08:00 AM 2007,
Teresa said…
Thanks for all you have done and are doing.
Chantix was a miracle for me.
I smoked 2 packs a day for 30 years and was never able to quit on my own.
One month smoke free.
Thank you, Pfizer!
At Mon Sep 24, 05:39:00 PM 2007,
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…
I'm glad to hear that Teresa is doing well. Regarding the question of what else there is, see my next post:
http://www.healthline.com/blogs/smoking_cessation/2007/09/does-it-help-to-add-nicotine-gum-to.html
At Wed Oct 03, 01:01:00 PM 2007,
Anonymous said…
I started taking Chantix three days prior to hearing about the bad press Chantix received from the Musician who was taking it. I admit I was concerned, for I was having a few weird dreams myself but nothing horrible. The dreams were like techno-colored, bright colors, but the dreams themselves were not unpleasant.
I still experience an upset stomach immediately after taking the pill but drinking alot of water reduces this effect.
I have failed too many times in my prior attempts at quitting, but this time, with Chantix, is different. I simply just don't feel the need to light up. And when I do, I take three puffs and put it out, it makes me sick, the smell!
I am and will certainly deal with the very mild side effects of Chantix in order to achieve my goal of quitting smoking for good! I hope any who are trying to quit do the research and make a wise choice, but for me I am grateful to being able to breath again! Even my complexion looks fresh and young gawd, it feels to good to becoming healthier!!
At Wed Oct 03, 05:03:00 PM 2007,
Anonymous said…
Thanks for all the sound information about Chantix. I have followed the routine religiously and have not smoked for 38 days. I did have some serious nightmares, but I now take 1/2 pill at night and I take it before 7PM. That has really helped. I have also used the Chantix Users Club which has really helped - so that you don't feel so alone in this battle.
Thanks again.
At Mon Oct 08, 09:15:00 PM 2007,
Anonymous said…
After being prescribed Chantix, I too experienced:
a) complete loss of short-term memory
b) sleep disturbance
c) serious suicidal ideation
d) sure. complete loss of desire for cigarettes, but also for anything else that one might desire in life - food, for example.
I was terrified and called my doctor to report the adverse event. He graciously had his administrative assistant call me back to tell me that I was just experiencing "nicotine withdrawal" and that he had called in yet another psychoactive drug, an SSRI antidepressant and directed me to continue taking the drug.
After I read the detailed .PDF of research from Pfizer, I stopped taking the medicine.
I think it's absurd to make scientific deductions based upon abstracts from studies you haven't conducted yourself.
Side effects of nicotine withdrawal?
I had quit smoking before without any of these effects. I was fine (and smoke free) within 48 hours of having it out of my system.
It saddens me that American doctors are so completely willing to prescribe medicine when the extent of their research doesn't surpass the content of the pharma rep's sales brochure, and yet still think it's appropriate to completely discount their patients' experiences.
-sarah
At Tue Oct 09, 05:45:00 PM 2007,
Anonymous said…
I was a serious smoker for 20 years. I took Chantix for 2 weeks and had to take myself off of it. I was having horrible dreams and I was extremly anxious. The medication does work (I have quit for 2 months now). I know it was the Chantix that caused these dreams and anxiety, because when I stopped using it, the symptoms stopped.
At Sat Oct 13, 11:15:00 AM 2007,
Aimee said…
My father in law recently committed suicide and the detective who processed his case is investigating the involvement of chantix. We have started to do our own research and it seems that the information that they used to get FDA approval was skewed. Apparently in the six studies that were done, ALL sponsored by pfizer, 20-30% of the participants were not included in the final results. One reporter (http://whyquit.com/pr/082506.html) said that after some extensive research those excluded were patients that had a history of poor health and mental illness. So, if your in perfect health and your only vice is nicotine this drug might work. But odds are more people suffer from depression or have history of mental illness in their family and they don't understand extensively what the effects are on these individuals. And how are we supposed to know if pfizer isn't upfront with their findings. I would advise all of you to be cautious with this medication. My family does not want anyone else to be hurt the way we have been. Also, if you read the online prescribing information from pfizer (http://www.pfizer.com/pfizer/download/uspi_chantix.pdf) it says that it could mess with the effectiveness of insulin and other daily medications. Also, they seem to try to hide the bad side effects by not including them in the side effects chart but by listing them on a different page. so PLEASE be cautious. My families heart is broken and if Chantix was a contributing factor we don't want anyone else to have to suffer the way we are.
At Mon Oct 15, 11:30:00 PM 2007,
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…
Aimee,
I'm very sorry to hear of this tragedy in your family, and I understand your desire to find an explanation for what happened. Obviously I know nothing of the details and so cannot comment on those specific circumstances. However, let me make a couple of comments. Firstly, it is particularly puzzling for someone to commit suicide while trying to quit smoking. The act of trying to quit smoking is usually a sign that someone wants to improve their health and to live longer. So this outcome suggests a fairly sudden change of mind-set. Secondly, about the claim that many participants were not included in the results presented on Chantix... this is extremely unlikley. More likely is that a significant number of people who were assessed for participation in the trials were not included (meaning that they never became participants and never received any medication or placebo meds). It is very common practice to exclude people with various illnesses, including mental health problems, from early trials of a new medicine. This is partly for cautious safety reasons and the idea that we shouldn't be trying out new drugs on people with other health problems until we have observed that the drug is safe and effective in a healthy population. But you are quite correct in saying that this common practice often leaves us unclear about effects of the new drug on more typical patients with complex medical and behavioral problems. Thanks for posting your comment, and please do also consider informing the FDA about what happened.
At Thu Oct 18, 08:20:00 AM 2007,
Jack said…
My family also just buried a loved one who shot himself through the heart two weeks after taking a week's course of Chantix. My brother-in-law was a person who loved the "good fight" and his closest friends are not accepting the suicide finding by the authority. However, I was closely engaged with my brother-in-law in his final days and I was terribly concerned about his state of mind. He was depressed, confused, demotivated, and could not deal with moderate business pressure. It was extremely frustrating for me as I tried to navigate him out of his emotional depression. It was afterwards that we found the Chantix package on his desk. Naturally, from following, these blogs I'm concerned and urging caution to anyone who is thinking bad thoughts. Get help. Your family can put up with your smoking for a little while longer.
I've also notified FDA.
At Thu Oct 18, 01:17:00 PM 2007,
Jack said…
I lost my brother-in-law to suicide two weeks ago. I suspect that Chantix contributed. He surprised everyone with his tragic death; except those like me who observed the downward depressional spiral in the days leading up to his death. I knew that he was trying to quit smoking but I never connected the dots, until afterward. We found the Chantix package on his desk. On a hunch I googled "chantix depression suicide". 36000 hits! Now, I'm hoping that everyone on these blogs can take something away from our tragedy. Of course, we cannot know for certain that Chantix caused this. But there is mounting anectodal evidence, and I would urge anyone who is on this medication and becomes depressed to print these blogs and seek immediate help from their doctor. Don't risk your life.
At Thu Nov 08, 01:18:00 PM 2007,
Anonymous said…
It is sad to see that people are connecting Chantix to horrible things. I'm not saying that it is not possible so please don't be offended, but you must consider that people are going through withdrawl from another very potent drug, nicotine. When people quit smoking they are going through withdrawls, period. I smoked for over 30 years. I started Chantix and quit smoking two days later. I never went up to the full dose of Chantix as I was comfortable at half dose. I have been smoke free for a year and I have Chantix to thank for that. When someone looses someone to a horrible death (which I have in the past as well) one way to deal with it is to find a reason. Sometimes though there just isn't one. I strongly urge people to try Chantix to quit smoking if they are trying, but as with any other drug be careful, and if it says not to drink alcohol, then don't. There is a reason for warnings on the labels. I had some strange dreams, but never an upset stomach. Good luck to everyone.
At Tue Nov 13, 07:32:00 AM 2007,
Anonymous said…
I took Chantix for 5 months and the only side effects I had were some of the best vivid dreams I've ever experienced. If Pfizer would say the dreams can be incredibly pleasurable, I bet many more people would not be scared off. There are so many drugs that people take that effect dreams, moods, etc. Quitting smoking causes dreams to be more intense too, in addition to emotional episodes. Anyone ever heard of a cranky quitter? Everyone is so quick to blame the new kid on the block.
At Fri Nov 23, 04:59:00 AM 2007,
Anonymous said…
Yes --- the chantix makes quiting possible. It works. Yes --- there are other nicotine withdrawal symptons. BUT --- there is something dangerous about this medicine. After only four weeks on the medicine I stopped taking it (I am still smoke free two month later). I stopped taking it because I couldn't control my temper in stress situations - I found aggressive behaviour served me better. I had no patience with anything. All my short term memory and powers of concentration were gone. I was crying for no reason and felt everyone was out to get me. AND the worst thing about this, is, I still experience these same symptons after two months of not taking the chantix. At this point I'm terrified I have been seriously affected and that it is permanent.
At Fri Nov 23, 04:57:00 PM 2007,
Anonymous said…
I took chantix for five months too. My experience was not the worst thing ever. Mostly due to the health care professionals not giving my input any merit. Of course that was before the ABC news broke the story of the musician in Texas. At least now the medical community will listen to their patients and not automatically reject the chance it could be real. Please use caution when testing if chantix is right for you, being one of the 1 out of 1000 isn't fun or what I had an idea was going to happen.
At Mon Nov 26, 07:03:00 PM 2007,
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…
Hi,
The US Food and Drug Administration has announced that they are investigating potential links between use of Chantix and various potential side effects. See more detailed posting at:
http://www.healthline.com/blogs/smoking_cessation/2007/11/chantix-varenicline-safety-being.html
At Fri Nov 30, 11:43:00 AM 2007,
Anonymous said…
I've been on Chantix for nearly 4 months now. Could not tolerate the twice a day regimen so taking once a day currently. Weird dreams have occured on occasion. Most interesting is that my personality has changed for the BETTER!!!! Was a very type A person, demanding and commanding, sharp tongued, perfectionest to the point I drove myself, and close friends nutty. Freinds did not want to go out to eat with me for fear of what I may say or do!
I am so calm now, what a relief!
I still smoke 1-2 cigs in the eve, a great improvement. I'm just wondering how long I can safely take this as it seems to be a wonder drug for me. I know I can quit the cigs if I REALLY want, just need to pick a day.
Any comments with regard to positive mental side effects would be appreciated. Sorry to those who have lossed loved ones. RN
At Mon Dec 03, 07:44:00 PM 2007,
Anonymous said…
Dr. Foulds, Thank you for putting all of this information in one place. I have been on Chantix for 5months and have successfully quit smoking. I've had minimal side effects, for which I'm grateful. When a new drug is introduced to the general public there will always be instances of serious side effects for some individuals. Existing illness precludes some segments of society from being studied in trials. It is not possible to test drugs as they relate to alcohol or other drugs. This is the first assessment I have seen of the different studies. And you give sound advice for anyone taking any drug. Again, thank you.
At Wed Jan 02, 12:00:00 PM 2008,
Anonymous said…
for all that are not believers of the side effects of this drug, I am here to tell you that they are real. I was also taking the drug. Funny thing is, I was fine while I was on it... it wasn't until I got off the drug when I started feeling spacey, depressed, extreme anxiety, loss of focus, feeling out of body, my eye site is weird, almost like I am dreaming but I am awake. I have been to several doctors and neurologist. Most say it will be done and over from several weeks to several months. 3 months down the road and I still feel wacked out. I have only experienced this when I was younger and did LSD. I am on medical leave from work until the 21 of Jan and seeing doctors left and right. I am taking cymbalta for depression but I still feel crazy. If anyone has any answers please email me. brandonrcampbell at gmail dot com.
At Thu Jan 03, 08:35:00 PM 2008,
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…
Anonymous of Jan 2, 2008.
I'm afraid I don't know what caused the symptoms you have been experiencing. However, it does seem unusual to blame the Chantix for them when the symptoms only emerged after you stopped takng the Chantix. Very strange. Let us know if the doctors figure it out.
At Fri Jan 04, 12:54:00 PM 2008,
Anonymous said…
Hello, I can't help but feel that there is something to this as well. I tried Champix the first time months ago, with no side effects, and no effect - it did not work as I pushed my smoking and ended up smoking thru it. I recently took the drug up again and into my 3rd week had a desparate desparate day, full of tears, sorrow and despair. As I sit across from my husband, crying because I can't be happy for him and his exciting upcoming job interview (that's he's been pining for, for months). All I could manage to say between sobs was I'm loosing my mind, I don't know what is wrong with me. The next day my friend told me about the rumors of suicide and Champix, I stopped that day, within 3 days I was feeling normal. And Guess What....I wasn't going thru withdrawls, I was still smoking!!!!, so it was not just a heavy duty withdrawal, and I wasn't drinking, the only difference is I am on different medications now - there is a interference, please be careful and if you feel you're going to loose it, stop the drug...stay the course for 2-3 more days and it will get better. And please tell someone, knowledge is power people, share it.
At Tue Jan 08, 08:11:00 PM 2008,
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…
Dear Anonymous of Jan 4th,
Thanks for sharing your story. It was accounts like this that forced me to take seriously the possibility that some people taking Chantix may have this type of advers reaction to the drug. Although it still seems uncommon (perhaps between 1% and one per thousand?) it is potentially serious enough for the individual concerned that we are much better off knowing about it and being able to inform patients to be vigilant. I hope you succeed in quitting smoking via another route. Let us know.
At Thu Jan 17, 09:28:00 AM 2008,
Anonymous said…
i tried chantix for 3 weeks,but at the end felt very depressed and thought of suicide. after stopping the drug it took three days and i felt a lot better. my wife noticed a lot of difference.
At Mon Feb 18, 07:18:00 PM 2008,
Lynn said…
I have been on Chantix 6 weeks now and after 36 years of smoking I have not had one in 3 weeks. But the dreams are really getting to me, I wake up afraid to go back to sleep, afraid of the next dream. I am at a loss what to do, if I quit the drug has it been long enough to stay away from the smokes forever? Is there a side effect from quitting Chantix cold turkey? Don't get me wrong I am grateful for the chance to walk away from the smokes, the dreams have been my only problem.
At Fri Feb 22, 05:38:00 PM 2008,
Anonymous said…
Both my wife and I were prescribed Chantix to quit smoking in a 12 week smoking cessation therapy program. We've tried other methods through the years but with little success (i.e. gum, patches, hypnosis,accupuncture, etc.) We prepared for this quit and reduced our intake from 2 packs per day to less than 1/2 pack per day over the past 6 months. We ceased smoking in our home and cars as well as any public place to prepare us for the conversion into a new "smoke free society". Our garage was our only haven to smoke and sometimes with the bitter cold & intense heat we were more than ever convinced to quit. Our minds were made up....once and for all! It was now time! No turning back! We began taking the med on exactly the same day together and work as a team. When beginning this med regiment we were quite excited about the success rate that Pfizer (the med manufacturer)and the media touted about this new miracle drug. During the initial first week of treatment we could still smoke. We really only noticed slight upset stomachs after taking the med (which eventually disappeared) and vivid dreams which were sometimes quite three dimensional & enjoyable. We were not at all upset with these side effects because they were published in the descriptive literature that accompanied the med.& the fda website. It was amazing...by the end of the first week we couldn't stand the sight or smell of a cigarette. They really became repulsive. We actually finished smoking before our projected quit date by 3 days. No cravings to speak of at all and if they did come they were instantaneous and left quickly. They were right...this was a miracle drug. But, as the weeks went on and the dosage increased to 2mg per day (1mg in the AM & 1mg in the PM) we noticed subtle but distinct changes in our personalities. As treatment progressed into the 3rd, 4th & 5th week, I personally noticed more distinct personality changes which consisted of a constant foggy mental state, extreme fatigue & loss of mental focus as well as negative thoughts of self worth and suicide. This then progressed into a mild to moderate depressive state. All I wanted to do is sleep which is very unusual for me. I love to get my day going as well as enjoy it!! My wife on the other hand developed severe nervous anxiety which was quite unusual for her. She is a very laid back, mild mannered and possesses a very gentle personality. She seemed to become more detached (almost in a zombie state) from her surroundings and would snap at anyone for no apparent reason. She seemed so distant. We would kid her about returning home from her galaxie. Even that irritated her when she would usually laugh. Also, her sleep patterns were greatly disrupted and slept in spurts. I guess you could say that nicotine withdrawl could be the culprit (both physical and psychological) but after 6 weeks into the program we were at the point of a "smoke free" couple and didn't really miss or have the desire to return to smoking. In conclusion, I just wanted to state that Chantix did the job to free us from this horrible habit but there should be some serious in depth studies into the possible psychiatic side effects that really can affect normal people with no history of mental illness.. I offer this to help anyone considering using CHANTIX. Please beware of any changes in your personality while on it as well as any in your loved ones. By the way...we are a very stable, fun loving & happily married couple for over 35 years. We have been off the med for now well over a week and are now laughing again and SMOKE FREE!!
At Tue Feb 26, 07:16:00 AM 2008,
Anonymous said…
I went on chantix for two months- and quit smoking after the 6 week mark. I experienced bad dreams, uncontrollable anger and feelings of extreme worthlessness and depression and thoughts of suicide. What made it worse for me was that just thinking about the suicide made me even more depressed. Happy to say that I am still smoke free (obviousely still alive!) after 6 months- the bad dreams are gone but sometimes those suicide/worthlessness/depression thoughts flow through my head. I was wondering if anyone can tell me that they had the same type of experience and that eventually those feelings also go away like they did with the bad dreams....maybe they just take a little longer- appreciate any feedback.
On a side note- I also have quit cold turkey before for up to several months and never experienced this from "nicotine withdrawal". I think that it worked great- however I beelive people taking it should understand it's not just going to be potentially some bad dreams one might have to deal with- but also some other types of issues.
At Tue Mar 04, 10:12:00 PM 2008,
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…
Thanks to all of those who have shared their experiences. I believe these stories may be helpful to others, including health professionals trying to understand what their patients are going through. It sounds like many try to struggle on with unpleasant symptoms and are reluctant to bother their doctor. While I understand the reasons for this, I'd like to encourage anyone experiencing a troubling or unusual symptom while trying to quit smoking to discuss it with their healthcare provider (including the doctor who prescribed any smoking cessation medicines you may be taking).
At Thu Mar 13, 12:47:00 PM 2008,
Anonymous said…
I just started Chantix and I am really afraid but I know I need help to do this. Please help me thru this.
At Fri Mar 14, 11:30:00 AM 2008,
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…
Dear Anonymous (of March 13),
No need to be afraid. Do keep in contact with your healthcare providers throughout the process and let them know how you are doing. Also make use of the Chantix GetQuit program, and the quitnet internet sites.
best of luck. You can do it.
At Fri Apr 11, 11:30:00 AM 2008,
Anonymous said…
My wife and I both used Chantix to quit smoking together. We started the treatment, all seemed well. We didn't even wait the full week before we quit smoking.
We started noticing the negative effects after a few weeks It seemed like it was getting harder and harder each day and we were both having feelings of angst and depression.
Two weeks after quitting the Chantix my wife still breaks out in tears for no reason at all. She tells me she feels like she's losing her mind sometimes, she can't focus when driving.
I've felt significantly more depressed over problems than I would normally. I consider myself fairly average in the mental health department. I've never had any kind of breakdowns, neither has my wife. We've never been prescribed on any kind of anti-depression drugs or anything.
I'm even crying over stuff that I would never even blink twice about normally. I don't seem to be able to hold my emotions in check.
I just hope I go back to normal soon.
My wife and I really really wanted to quit, and that we were has been a huge blessing...but it doesn't come as a free ride for everyone.
At Tue Jun 24, 07:59:00 AM 2008,
Anonymous said…
I took Chantix April 2007 and am still smoke-free. The pills made me nauseous and upset my stomach regularly. A small price to pay for giving up smoking.
Not long after quitting I started getting severe Migraines, something I had not had before. I am not sure if it is the quitting or the Chantix.
Up until a few months ago I was doing fine and then the severe urge to smoke has come on again. I don't know why or what it is but it is driving me crazy. All that it took to quit and now this. I am trying my best but for some reason, I feel myself slipping.
Is anyone else experiencing this too????
At Sun Jun 29, 07:33:00 AM 2008,
Anonymous said…
My friend started taking Chantix on May 27th and was admitted on an emergency 72 hour hold to the psych ward on June 26th. After 1 day of observation they have extended her stay to 14 days. She is in an acute state of psychosis; believes she is god, friends are fetuses of aborted babies, she has to complete the circle of life, hadn't slept for 5 days for fear of being taken by god, etc. Previously she has never displayed any behaviors attributed to psych disorders. Three days later and she is more lucid. She has finally gotten some sleep. She can be having a somewhat normal conversation with you and then start telling you that she's having a "super-knowing feeling" and that you are her aborted fetus! The doctors have her off of the Chantix and taking Zyprexa (used for bipolar and schizophrenia mostly) and Ativan.
Please take the side effects of this drug seriously!!! There are other drugs on the market that work and don't have the side effect of psychosis!!!
At Tue Jul 01, 12:16:00 PM 2008,
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…
Dear anonymous (of June 29)
I don't know enough of the details about your friend to make a useful comment. I'm glad she is reciving psychiatric care.
Many years ago I saw a patient who suffered a transient psychotic episode while trying to stop smoking and I published a case report and then a comment about it. That was long before Chantix was even thought about. The citations for those, and another related papers, are provided below:
Foulds J, Toone B. A case of nicotine psychosis? Addiction. 1995 Mar;90(3):435-7.
2: Scurlock H, Lucas P. Another case of nicotine psychosis? Addiction. 1996 Sep;91(9):1388.
3: Foulds J. A role for dopamine in nicotine psychosis?
Addiction. 1996 Sep;91(9):1388-9.
Anyone (or their provider, friend or family member)who believes they have suffered a serious adverse event caused by a medicine, should report it to the FDA. This can be done fairly easily online at:
http://www.fda.gov/medwaTCH/how.htm
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