Chantix Side Effects

Chantix was put on the market in 2006. It helps people give up smoking by blocking nicotine receptors in the brain. As a result, a person no longer gets any pleasure from smoking. The medication was the first one of this type approved for use by people who wanted to kick the smoking habit, and it provided an alternative form of therapy from nicotine patches and other types of medication used to treat nicotine addiction. More than six million prescriptions for Chantix have been written since it became available to the public.

Concerns About Chantix

According to a report released by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices in May of 2008, Chantix side effects were considered responsible for the following:

• 224 instances of potential heart-rhythm disturbances
• 372 instances of suspected movement disorders
• 544 instances of glycemic problems, such as Diabetes
• 227 instances of suicidal thoughts or actions
• 397 psychotic episodes reported
• 525 reports of aggressive ccts

In addition, Chantix was cited as a factor in 12 traffic accidents. As a result, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) made a decision to ban the use of this product by people working as air traffic controllers and pilots.

Other Chantix Side Effects

Along with the possible side effects of Chantix listed above, this product has been linked to several others. Here is a list of side effects reported by people using Chantix as part of a smoking cessation program:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Flatulence
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Nightmares
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Increased or decreased appetite

Is Using Chantix Right for You?

When you are considering using any type of medication, you and your doctor will need to evaluate the benefit you will receive from using it against the possible side effects. Chantix is no exception.

In the case of smoking, there are no positive health benefits to someone who decides to use tobacco products at all. Nicotine is highly addictive, and responsible for the death of many people, including those who do not smoke but who are exposed to second-hand smoke.

When you take into account the six million prescriptions for Chantix that have been written and the number of instances where severe side effects have been reported, the chances that any individual Chantix user will have this type of experience while using the medication is still relatively small.

Now, if you happen to be someone who ends up experiencing one of the more severe Chantix side effects, the fact that it wasn't very likely to happen won't matter. If you decide to go ahead and use Chantix as part of your stop-smoking plan and you experience mild side effects, you will need to make a decision about whether they are something you can live with while you are taking the medication. If you find you are unable to tolerate Chantix, you should stop taking it and ask your doctor for further advice.

Talking to Your Doctor About Chantix

• Be sure your doctor knows whether you have ever had an episode of depression (whether you were ever treated for this condition or not). Taking Chantix may make the symptoms worse.
• If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or could become pregnant, using Chantix may not be the right choice for you. Instead, ask your doctor for his or her advice about your situation.
• Tell your doctor about any previous attempts to quit smoking. Be sure you share any withdrawal symptoms that you experienced when you tried to break the habit in the past such as increased feelings of depression or irritability.
• Before you start using Chantix or any other medication, make sure that your doctor knows about any other drugs/medications you are currently taking. This includes other prescriptions, herbal remedies and any illegal drugs. In order for the doctor to help you, he or she needs this valuable information.