Anti-smoking drug linked to violent behavior

New Scientist
December 2, 2007

The anti-smoking drug Chantix is to be investigated by the US Food and Drug Administration after reports linked it to suicidal and violent behaviour. It has been on the US market for 18 months.

The case of Carter Albrecht of Dallas, Texas, who was shot dead while trying to break into a house, has focused attention on the drug. Albrecht’s family say he was in a fit of rage at the time, which they link to his use of Chantix.

An autopsy showed that Albrecht had been drinking, and the FDA says that similar factors may explain the reports of violent or suicidal impulses from other users. Chantix is taken by smokers who have quit, and it has been claimed in the drug’s defence that the ensuing nicotine withdrawal symptoms may exacerbate any underlying psychiatric illness. But the FDA also notes that the side effects have been reported by Chantix users who have not stopped smoking and by users with no record of psychiatric illness.

Chantix, made by Pfizer, was recommended for use in the UK in May by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Sphere: Related Content

del.icio.us:Anti-smoking drug linked to violent behavior digg:Anti-smoking drug linked to violent behavior spurl:Anti-smoking drug linked to violent behavior wists:Anti-smoking drug linked to violent behavior simpy:Anti-smoking drug linked to violent behavior newsvine:Anti-smoking drug linked to violent behavior blinklist:Anti-smoking drug linked to violent behavior furl:Anti-smoking drug linked to violent behavior reddit:Anti-smoking drug linked to violent behavior fark:Anti-smoking drug linked to violent behavior blogmarks:Anti-smoking drug linked to violent behavior Y!:Anti-smoking drug linked to violent behavior smarking:Anti-smoking drug linked to violent behavior magnolia:Anti-smoking drug linked to violent behavior segnalo:Anti-smoking drug linked to violent behavior gifttagging:Anti-smoking drug linked to violent behavior

Email this

  1. Rachel on December 2nd, 2007

    I took this drug on the advice on my doctor. I started smoking again after stopping the drug voluntarily, before reports of suicidal and homicidal behaviour surfaced. Smoking seems a more viable option than killing someone. I will try “cold turkey” before trying anything the FDA promotes.

  2. Eric W. on December 3rd, 2007

    I to tried this drug, I never heard reports of extreme side effects however, looking back it does seem that the drug has changed me in some underliying way that I can’t quite put my finger on. Almost a kind of detachment that I haven’t quite been able to pinpoint, I’ve always been against pharms but I really needed to quit and have tried everything. A fiend has told me about an all natural enzime that works in the same way as Chantix without the side effects, will post again with the info.

  3. cc on December 3rd, 2007

    My Girlfriend took it for about 2 weeks and had extreme anxiety. Needless to say she is no longer taking it. That was a real eye opener, there will be no more pharma.

  4. Michael Miller on December 3rd, 2007

    I used this drug for 6 months and have not smoked for almost a year. I was a half pack a day smoker for almost 25 years. I have not had any real lasting side effects. My doctor warned me about drinking too much with this drug as it can cause anxiety. The only real side effect I experienced was nausea if I did not eat before I took it.

    This drug did allow me to quit smoking and I am grateful that it worked so well.

  5. Stan on December 5th, 2007

    Just out of curiosity, how are you supposed to tell if the drug helped you quit rather than willpower alone? I’ve tried to quit cold turkey several times. Once the withdrawals were terrible and another time they were barely noticable.

  6. Ken Franklin, MD on February 1st, 2008

    The behaviors “linked” to Chantix are far less common than the deaths linked to continuing smoking - both to the smoker and those around them.

    Choosing to continue to smoke is NOT a safer option!

    God Bless,
    Ken Franklin

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUhuMpsYywo

  7. nozc ifhsvkal on May 2nd, 2008

    duyt hfnpblxc htcqj upsdhnefb ilwetbjkz amluohkg wesujbir

  8. Online gambling and casino reviews. on May 8th, 2008

    Casino free money online results gambling play.

    Generic online casino gambling briefing. Online casino gambling poker slot. Online casino gambling guide at gambling win com. Online gambling guide amp casino reviews got bet. Internet casino gambling online. Online gambling and casino reviews.

  9. Best online slots www.casino-slot-machine.net. on May 16th, 2008

    Online slot machine www.casino-slot-machine.net.

    Online casino games. Black jack casino roulette online gaming. Free online casino tournaments. Golden riviera online casino. New record for online casino win. Online casino.

  10. Casino bonus. on May 16th, 2008

    Casino bonus.

    Casino bonus.

  11. continental airline flight on July 9th, 2008

    qsbauy ugkcy unbvdlw
    http://www.gratisweb.com/airline10/continental continental airline reservation

  12. cymbalta antidepressant on July 19th, 2008

    cyngaev vspkiye
    http://rubyurl.com/v97b what is cymbalta

  13. benicar without a prescription on July 25th, 2008

    wpvuj wkhcqfu
    http://medlem.spray.se/certifi.....benicarwww benicar hct oral

  14. how does torsemide control diatebes on July 25th, 2008

    gvuoch ejoykq
    http://medlem.spray.se/certifi.....rsemidewww demadex torsemide