Another Chantix (Champix) disaster!

[kristin]

I recognized they were not normal so I quit taking it

That is a key point. The company has warnings stating to quit taking it if you have thoughts of suicide, etc, but I'm reminded of Prozac in the 1980's. My mother suffers from chemical depression and tried Prozac when it first came out. She suffered strong thoughts of suicide, but like many people who suffer depression, she kept it to herself, thinking she was going crazy - even with the warnings. I can't remember how it finally came out, but we got her off it and she was much better. Only later did we find out that at some points she was seriously considering killing herself!

So, would some of these people taking Chantix even realize that their feelings of suicide are related to the Chatix or would they be so deep in it that it wouldn't matter? How do "warnings" help with that - especially if someone who was self-medicating mild depression with nicotine doesn't realize that is what they are doing or that they even have depression?

Scary stuff.

 

[pixiedust]

That is a key point. The company has warnings stating to quit taking it if you have thoughts of suicide, etc, but I'm reminded of Prozac in the 1980's. My mother suffers from chemical depression and tried Prozac when it first came out. She suffered strong thoughts of suicide, but like many people who suffer depression, she kept it to herself, thinking she was going crazy - even with the warnings. I can't remember how it finally came out, but we got her off it and she was much better. Only later did we find out that at some points she was seriously considering killing herself!
So, would some of these people taking Chantix even realize that their feelings of suicide are related to the Chatix or would they be so deep in it that it wouldn't matter? How do "warnings" help with that - especially if someone who was self-medicating mild depression with nicotine doesn't realize that is what they are doing or that they even have depression?

Scary stuff.

I'm not sure people would attribute the symptoms to Chantix. When I noticed them I called my doctor and told him he said "I've never heard of that before, try taking it a few more days and if you don't feel better quit taking it" umm..no I don't think so.. so despite his 'reassurances' I quit taking it immediately I didn't want to end up trying to defend myself in court claiming "Chantix made me do it"

 

[Vocalek]

Tell your doctor to get his information directly from Pfizer:

http://media.pfizer.com/files/products/uspi_chantix.pdf


Patient information:

http://media.pfizer.com/files/products/ppi_chantix.pdf

 

[pixiedust]

Tell your doctor to get his information directly from Pfizer:

http://media.pfizer.com/files/products/uspi_chantix.pdf


Patient information:

http://media.pfizer.com/files/products/ppi_chantix.pdf

I read it myself after I tried that crap, and I never went back to that doctor.

 

[db13berry]

I got a script for Chantix, got it filled, but never took it. I was afraid I may kill someone! LOL! I have depression/anxiety and just knew this wasn't a good combo for me.

At one week after my last cigarette, I had weird bizarre dreams for a few nights. They seem to have stopped so I attribute it to tobacco withdrawals.

 

[xg4bx]

I refuse to take any meds where id literally need a handler to keep an eye on me.

This seriously sounds like something that should only be given if you're admitted to a hospital for a few weeks and under constant supervision.

As an aside, anyone else notice that a lot of pills these days seem to list suicidal thoughts as a side effect? I know they want the public to drop dead but I didn't think they'd be this obvious about it.

 

[Demarko]

How do "warnings" help with that - especially if someone who was self-medicating mild depression with nicotine doesn't realize that is what they are doing or that they even have depression?

I'm a generally happy person. I was doing well on the Chantix, and one day my brother and I were hanging out. He caries a handgun - that's fine, it's his right. And I looked at his weapon and said to myself, "It would be so easy...." I quit taking chantix that day, and shudder to think... I actually THOUGHT that! There's no such thing as a warning for a truly suicidal person.

When I heard thoughts of suicide was a possible side effect, I thought, "Oh it'll be like telling someone not to think of a white elephant." That's not the case. I actually thought about just grabbing his gun and kissing it. No. Nononono.

 

[Vocalek]

I'm wondering if at least some of the worsening depression and suicidal thoughts are not directly caused by Chantix or bupropion, but rather caused by the extreme drop in serotonin levels triggered by cessation of nicotine.

Ironic, isn't it? They want to save your life by making you quit smoking, and quitting smoking makes you wish you were dead.

 

[CJsKee]

I think it's caused (whether directly or indirectly doesn't matter) by blocking what "they" call "nicotine receptors" in the brain. Problem is....

By now, the whole world has heard of the suicide pills, Champix and Zyban. Next there will be an injection to stop you smoking. How? It's explained well by the first commenter on .... Puddlecote's article but to put it in layman's terms, it claims to block the 'nicotine receptors' in the brain.

The problem is, as the scientists involved must surely know, there is no such thing as a 'nicotine receptor'. Nicotine, like caffeine, bonds to things loosely called 'pleasure receptors'. This is what makes you feel good when you have a smoke, or a coffee, or a cream cake, or whatever it is that makes you, personally, happy. It doesn't need to be an external stimulus. Some people activate those receptors by jogging or trainspotting or driving fast cars or getting a promotion. Whatever floats your boat, it's biochemically much the same thing.

underdogs bite upwards: Cleansing of the Hive. The guy who writes this blog is a PhD scientist.

And remember, there's now an "injection" that will probably be available soon.

 

[kristin]

I think it's caused (whether directly or indirectly doesn't matter) by blocking what "they" call "nicotine receptors" in the brain. Problem is....

Nicotine, like caffeine, bonds to things loosely called 'pleasure receptors'. This is what makes you feel good when you have a smoke, or a coffee, or a cream cake, or whatever it is that makes you, personally, happy. It doesn't need to be an external stimulus. Some people activate those receptors by jogging or trainspotting or driving fast cars or getting a promotion. Whatever floats your boat, it's biochemically much the same thing.

underdogs bite upwards: Cleansing of the Hive. The guy who writes this blog is a PhD scientist.

And remember, there's now an "injection" that will probably be available soon.

Wow - nearly identical to what I said in my earlier post - does that mean I'm as smart as a guy with a PhD? LOL!

 

[BCB]

duplicate--ignore this one and go to the next one. thanks.

 

[BCB]

.....yes.......

 

[fivefivesix]

I'm sure the FDA will be seizing Chantix inventories.

NOT

it's prbably best that I do not discuss politics here, comment redacted

 

[CJsKee]

I guess I missed the post you're talking about, Kristin; but, I think the blog spells it out very nicely.

 

[rothenbj]

The gal that was using Chantix where I volunteer was doing great on it. Somewhere around a month and a half with no side affects that she noticed. No suicidal thoughts, no vivid dreams and no other issues. Then she started not taking it or forgetting to take it after which she stopped completely. I asked her how she was feeling and she said okay but everyone better stay out of my way. She is now getting angry about everything. Hopefully this will pass, but I'm planning to keep talking to her about how she's feeling. So far though, she's still not smoking.

 

[CES]

I think it's caused (whether directly or indirectly doesn't matter) by blocking what "they" call "nicotine receptors" in the brain. Problem is....



underdogs bite upwards: Cleansing of the Hive. The guy who writes this blog is a PhD scientist.

And remember, there's now an "injection" that will probably be available soon.

The PhD scientist is way, way, way oversimplifying (and i will too- but not so much as to be wrong). There are nicotinic receptors in the brain. Activation results in the release of neurotransmitters that can (among other things) activate the same pathways involved in feeling pleasure from food and sex. There are other ways to activate the pleasure pathways too. Chantix keeps the receptors partially active, just enough to stave off cravings, but not enough to provide any pleasure. However, the receptor subtypes that chantix activates are in other pathways besides the ones associated with pleasure-which could account for the side effects
(the vaccine has the potential to be as bad or worse than chantix)

 

[afrazier5]

I had 3 very short successful attempts at stopping with Chantix. I didn't have any suicidal thoughts or depression but did notice problems with focus, exhaustion and like someone else said; dreams so vivid and disturbing I can't believe they came from my head. I did have issues with being a bit moody but was able to personally determine that most of that was attributed to the 'loss' of a life long friend that had been with me through thick and thin. With the eCigs, I never really got rid of one friend but found a better one that was much nicer to me!

 

[Vocalek]

There have been reports of anhedonia - inability to experience pleasure - coming from Chantix users. Sexual side effects that may occur with Chantix include erectile dysfunction and decreased sex drive.

Where do I sign up?

 

[CJsKee]

The PhD scientist is way, way, way oversimplifying (and i will too- but not so much as to be wrong). There are nicotinic receptors in the brain. Activation results in the release of neurotransmitters that can (among other things) activate the same pathways involved in feeling pleasure from food and sex. There are other ways to activate the pleasure pathways too. Chantix keeps the receptors partially active, just enough to stave off cravings, but not enough to provide any pleasure. However, the receptor subtypes that chantix activates are in other pathways besides the ones associated with pleasure-which could account for the side effects
(the vaccine has the potential to be as bad or worse than chantix)

Thanks, CES...I need things kept simple

Just to clarify, I only mentioned the guy is a PhD to point out that he might know what he's talking about -- not just some dude on a blog, nothing more.

To summarize, IMO Chantix (and the coming injection) are bad .... and should be removed from the market/not allowed!

 

[CES]

Thanks, CES...I need things kept simple

Just to clarify, I only mentioned the guy is a PhD to point out that he might know what he's talking about -- not just some dude on a blog, nothing more.

To summarize, IMO Chantix (and the coming injection) are bad .... and should be removed from the market/not allowed!

I agree with you completely!