FDA wants NRT consumers to report its ineffectiveness, wants Chantix users to report adverse side effects

[Bill Godshall]

Another opportunity to tell FDA your experiences with NRT and/or other FDA approved drugs to treat "tobacco dependence", the benefits of e-cigarettes, and urging the agency to truthfully inform consumers of the dismal success rates of FDA approved drugs, and to stop touting them as the only effective ways to quit smoking.
WANTED: Consumers to Report Problems

 

[AgentAnia]

Outstanding!

From the site: "MedWatch forms for both consumers and health care professionals must be faxed or mailed. Online submission capability will be available in coming months." I'll be keeping an eye out for the online submission capability.

One question: I never used any of the approved NRTs. Just quit with ecigs. Do you think they'll accept my submission if I'm reporting only a positive, not adverse, reaction?

 

[Bill Godshall]

Anyone who has ever used NRT or Chantix (and didn't quit smoking using those products) should notify the FDA.

 

[Elnroth]

Can we get one of the mods to put this in a banner?

 

[Fiamma]

Interesting. I wonder who at FDA didn't get paid off properly by BP.

 

[Dannyboy5691]

Well I've tried the gum, the patch, lozenges and chantix. None of them worked. I started with a Spinner and Evod and have moved up to a Tesla and a Pro tank. I haven't had nor do I have a craving for cigarettes. And all of my attempts have been documented by my doctor and insurance company. Guess I'll be giving them a call.

 

[digiw0rx]

That's awesome, I'm a UK guy so don't think my input would be accepted lol, but i have tried NRT before, specifically the spray and the patches while they were OK they didn't get the job done.

Chantix (Champix as it's called in the UK) is HORRID, After a few days on it i felt terribly detached to everything, nothing seemed real and i got immensely depressed to the point i burst into tears for no reason while at work.

 

[rolygate]

Hey Digi,

Try writing to the MHRA to complain, and tell them the FDA is way ahead of them

On a serious note - I doubt if anyone knows how many people Champix has killed in the UK, it's the sort of figure the MHRA are paid to bury. I asked a doctor (in London) what the professions' perception of the dangers of Champix was, and he told me that he had no idea it was risky*.

So I think that like the 40% of doctors in the UK/Sweden** who think nicotine is the most harmful compound in tobacco smoke (when it's probably about a millionth as harmful as the smoke), and the 44% who think nicotine is associated with cancer (when it is proven to have no association), and the 15% who think NRTs cause cancer (I've run out of possible comments on their general ignorance in this area), many doctors appear to be completely in the dark about this topic area.

If anyone can think of a way to educate doctors then I'm all ears.


* In contrast I did hear of a doctor (and it might have been here on ECF), who when asked if he would prescribe Chantix, replied that his advice would be to continue smoking as it's safer.

** From a survey of doctors in the UK and Sweden:
Tobacco Harm Reduction Affected By GP's Belief That Nicotine Is A Harmful Cigarette-Smoke Component

 

[Oliver]

My wife's father will not prescribe varenicline to his patients because of the side effects. He's a very conscientious man.

 

[digiw0rx]

Hey Digi,

Try writing to the MHRA to complain, and tell them the FDA is way ahead of them

On a serious note - I doubt if anyone knows how many people Champix has killed in the UK, it's the sort of figure the MHRA are paid to bury. I asked a doctor (in London) what the professions' perception of the dangers of Champix was, and he told me that he had no idea it was risky*.

So I think that like the 40% of doctors in the UK/Sweden** who think nicotine is the most harmful compound in tobacco smoke (when it's probably about a millionth as harmful as the smoke), and the 44% who think nicotine is associated with cancer (when it is proven to have no association), and the 15% who think NRTs cause cancer (I've run out of possible comments on their general ignorance in this area), many doctors appear to be completely in the dark about this topic area.

If anyone can think of a way to educate doctors then I'm all ears.


* In contrast I did hear of a doctor (and it might have been here on ECF), who when asked if he would prescribe Chantix, replied that his advice would be to continue smoking as it's safer.

** From a survey of doctors in the UK and Sweden:
Tobacco Harm Reduction Affected By GP's Belief That Nicotine Is A Harmful Cigarette-Smoke Component

I will definitely look into that thanks, There has been a few documented cases where Champix has caused people to attempt suicide etc, but as you say more than likely a fat back-hander is preventing the true statistics coming to light, all i know the way they made me feel was horrid, i suffer with clinical depression anyway and it was only after i decided to stop taking them i learnt i shouldn't of been prescribed them in the first place.

All i know is, my iTaste and ProTanks have done what "traditional" NRT couldn't and i'm not at risk of topping myself due to being given unsafe medicine which is "approved"

 

[aikanae1]

I'm still offerred Chantrix and told to stop vaping. I think it's a classic case of the remedy being worse than the disease. Chantrix was almost removed from the market for cardiac problems. I'm sure a heart attack would have ended my smoking just fine. My doctor had no clue about the side effects from Chantrix.

I'll be watching this. I'm insulted by the poor effectiveness, high risk and expensive "approved NRT treatment". I'm insulted that they dare question what is in e-juice and they have no idea what is in cigarettes or the new e-cigs produced by tobacco companies. All the ejuices I buy are labeled.

It's due to repeated failures from bad products that my motivation for quitting was so low as to stop trying and then I'm blamed for "lack of motivation"?. It's due to their poor oversite that tobacco companies have been allowed to get away with producing a product more harmful and addictive than nicotine by itself - and maybe continuing to do the same in their new e-cig products.

I'm insulted because everything the FDA addresses has got nothing to do with my health or public safety; guarenteeing nicotine quality, full disclosure labeling, and instead has everything to do with marketplace concerns; licensing, distrubtion, resellers, taxes. Their own actions undermine their own integrity. No one has died from vaping. The FDA can't say that about their "approved NRT products".

I'm still looking for that USB-sized e-cig that the FDA have advertised on their website for a few years now.

​

 

[digiw0rx]

The fact of the matter is, these so called medical research facilities are heavily jaded by payments from "third parties", so I don't think we will ever see an honest response

 

[aikanae1]

I will definitely look into that thanks, There has been a few documented cases where Champix has caused people to attempt suicide etc, but as you say more than likely a fat back-hander is preventing the true statistics coming to light, all i know the way they made me feel was horrid, i suffer with clinical depression anyway and it was only after i decided to stop taking them i learnt i shouldn't of been prescribed them in the first place.

All i know is, my iTaste and ProTanks have done what "traditional" NRT couldn't and i'm not at risk of topping myself due to being given unsafe medicine which is "approved"

When I looked into it, the stories are horrific. It's actually "Sudden Onset Sucidality and Violent Behavior". I didn't even know such a thing existed. I think it's specific to Chantix use.

 

[aikanae1]

The fact of the matter is, these so called medical research facilities are heavily jaded by payments from "third parties", so I don't think we will ever see an honest response

Their already has been. The latest I read was Medscape review. Often it's possible to sort this stuff out through large reviews such as that. 100% of academics will say one thing and 100% of drug industry financed reports say the opposite. That's the situation with vaping. The studies and reports and reviews approving e-cig use are being left out of popular literature (press releases). But it's there and conclusive.

​

 

[digiw0rx]

Ok let me rephrase, a commercialised "media" honest review through mainstream channels where it could potentially make an impact to the easily lead

 

[FL Lori]

I guarantee my heart will be fine. Chantix will have me commit suicide before it has time to effect my heart. For many many many people it is a dangerous drug. I'll take my chances with vaping, than you!!!!!!!

 

[FL Lori]

When I looked into it, the stories are horrific. It's actually "Sudden Onset Sucidality and Violent Behavior". I didn't even know such a thing existed. I think it's specific to Chantix use.

No its not. Lyrica can do the same but the commercials are wide spread.

 

[UncleChimney]

Shortly Before I Started Vaping I Had Asked My Family Doctor To Prescribe Chantix Because I Was Desperate To Attempt Quitting Again, And He Wouldn't!

 

[FL Lori]

Shortly Before I Started Vaping I Had Asked My Family Doctor To Prescribe Chantix Because I Was Desperate To Attempt Quitting Again, And He Wouldn't!

Good for him!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Insignificance]

I took Chantix and not only did it not work, but I had racing suicidal thoughts towards the end......one of the scariest times of my life. I'll be sure to let the FDA know of my experience.