FDA: Anti smoking drug Chantix linked to more than 500 suicides

[Bill Godshall]

FDA: Anti smoking drug Chantix linked to more than 500 suicides
FDA: Anti-smoking drug Chantix linked to more than 500 suicides | Al Jazeera America

Finally something helpful from Aljazeera.

 

[AgentAnia]

Much thought-provoking (and downright shocking) information in this article. Even if you don't like Al Jazeera, it's worth the read.

 

[ennagizer]

So, what's an acceptable level of suicide, attempted suicide, depression, psychosis and aggression? Seems like that ceiling hasn't been met. One is too many.

 

[Stosh]

In the "quit or die" camp I guess they see that as a success, they weren't smoking when they died...
We seem to be seeing the death of common sense in these "discussions" of harm reduction.

 

[ennagizer]

I really hate bad information written in articles. The article states: "the FDA is standing behind Chantix, which has a 12-month quit rate of 22 percent, slightly better than counseling or nicotine-replacement therapy such as the patch or gum." They get that 22% number from an article on motherjones.com which states "The trials showed that about 22 percent of Chantix users who took the drug for three months were able to kick the habit for a year or more."

That motherjones.com article also quotes "Lirio Covey, a professor of clinical psychology at Columbia University who worked on Pfizer's clinical trials" and "has received nearly $80,000 from Pfizer this year to study the effects of smoking cessation on mood" as saying "the key facts are these: Millions have taken Chantix, so the number of people claiming severe side effects is relatively small. (In her estimation, the drug's benefits outweigh its risks.) She also says it's still not clear whether the side effects are the direct result of the drug, or of nicotine withdrawal."

I guess some researchers don't care how many people die or get hurt, as long as they get their funding. "The drug's benefits outweigh its risks" - holy crap.

 

[2coils]

Nasty Drug!!! So lets shun e-cigs instead. Great common sense approach.

 

[Spazmelda]

I think it's interesting (read- ridiculous) that the benefits supposedly outweigh the risks for Chantix, but not for e-cigs. We have pretty reliable evidence that chantix causes weird psychotic episodes, sometimes leading to death, but that's okay because it helps people quit (for a while, at least). But despite all the searching that has been done for problems with e-cigs, all they can come up with are hypothetical problems, but the risk is too high?!? Bizarro world.

 

[RosaJ]

Yes, the Pharma company lost a law suit with more than 2,000 people because of it. That has certainly not been covered by the media.

 

[WhiteHighlights]

I think it's interesting (read- ridiculous) that the benefits supposedly outweigh the risks for Chantix, but not for e-cigs. We have pretty reliable evidence that chantix causes weird psychotic episodes, sometimes leading to death, but that's okay because it helps people quit (for a while, at least). But despite all the searching that has been done for problems with e-cigs, all they can come up with are hypothetical problems, but the risk is too high?!? Bizarro world.

This is what really gets to me. Pfizer has until 2017 to investigate & report back. How many more people have to die as Pfizer profits? Yet despite a growing body of evidence about the benefits of ecig THR, the old 'we have no long term studies of ecig safety' results in 'it must be regulated to be safe' propaganda. Yes, I joined Casaa.

 

[Bill Godshall]

This is yet another example of FDA protecting profits of Big Pharma at the expense of public health.

 

[WorksForMe]

So, what's an acceptable level of suicide, attempted suicide, depression, psychosis and aggression? Seems like that ceiling hasn't been met. One is too many.

ANTZ seem to think that all smokers are going to die early, so a few suicides are OK if a lot of other lives are saved. They don't see the faces behind the statistics.

J.R.

 

[Kent C]

...............

 

[Vocalek]

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the federal agency that governs truckers, said Chantix may “adversely affect the driver’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.”

When, over 25 years ago, I quit all use of nicotine, I was as much a menace behind the wheel as a drunk. So tell me again how nicotine abstinence is the healthiest practice for everyone.

I waited six whole months for the bad stuff to stop, and when it didn't stop, and when the doctor told me there wasn't any medication she could give me, I told her that I had to resume smoking in self-defense.

Now, I don't smoke, but I can function normally because I haven't foolishly agreed to give up the drug that keeps my symptoms under control. For some of us, quitting nicotine is like an epileptic thinking it would be healthier for him to stop taking anticonvulsants

 

[cassandraschild]

The problem with Chantix, and why there are so many suicides, is that Chantix messes with people with any Mood Disorder. Major Depression, Bipolar, ect. It can make them go manic or super depressed. I'm Bipolar, so I refuse to take it. But there are many undiagnosed people, and this can be a nightmare for them.

 

[Rickajho]

I really hate bad information written in articles.

Actually the more you pick through that article the worse it gets. One of the links just goes to what amounts to no more than a "We WON!!! (The lawyers, that is.) Yahoo!!!" press release from the law firm handling the class action - no information to be had there other than that, and the dollar amount.

And I love the quote, supposedly attributed to Thomas J. Moore: "'People who carry weapons for a living such as police officers and military should not take a drug, which can cause – and this is well-documented – uncontrollable rage,' he said."

Not gonna comment... not gonna do it... regarding which gun totin' members of the public Chantix would be okey dokey for, but which gun totin' members of the public should probably not take it. This country is crazy to begin with, 'spose a little Chantix thrown into the mix wouldn't hurt that much. Next we'll have BP coming out with some kind of "Chantix doesn't kill people. Only bad people who take Chantix kill people..." campaign to counter that quote.

 

[Vocalek]

The problem with Chantix, and why there are so many suicides, is that Chantix messes with people with any Mood Disorder. Major Depression, Bipolar, ect. It can make them go manic or super depressed. I'm Bipolar, so I refuse to take it. But there are many undiagnosed people, and this can be a nightmare for them.

Well the cognitive impairments I suffered as a result of nicotine abstinence were accompanied with a crushing case of depression. Given that, when I found out how Chantix works, I decided that there was no way that I would ever try that stuff. And now that the results are in, I see that I was 100% right.

 

[WarHawk-AVG]

I couldn't afford Chantix was given Welbutrin...that was the WORST I have ever felt..and the lowest of the low...

Vaping..haven't touched one since my sig below...and will NEVER go back!

 

[damthisisfun]

ANTZ seem to think that all smokers are going to die early, so a few suicides are OK if a lot of other lives are saved. They don't see the faces behind the statistics.

J.R.

So sad that folks from The planet of the ANTZ dont care about factual data. A few people died - no big deal. Instead they want to promote incorrect information about e-cigs and would love to see them banned............

 

[WarHawk-AVG]

My buddy who works for the medical industry says it "took away his drive" like it made him feel for the lack of a better word "blar" about everything, kinda like took the fun out of everything, made him not want to do anything...desensitized him, like having a "what for" outlook on everything...yeah, he quit smoking while taking it...but he said it made him not want to "do anything"

 

[WorksForMe]

So sad that folks from The planet of the ANTZ dont care about factual data. A few people died - no big deal. Instead they want to promote incorrect information about e-cigs and would love to see them banned............

That's because its not about public health. Its all about the money.