Although Chantix is effective, side effects outweigh benefits since there are safer alternatives available
New research confirms that the stop-smoking drug Chantix is effective at helping people kick their nicotine habit. However, alternative therapies are available which are also twice as effective as quitting on your own, which do not carry the same risks of serious and potentially life-threatening side effects associated with Chantix.
>>INFORMATION: Chantix Side Effects
According to a new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, six different nicotine-replacement therapies, including Chantix, Zyban and Nicotine nasal sprays, patches, tablets and gum, are more than twice as effective at helping people quit smoking for at least six months to a year. The Canadian researchers compared 69 clinical trials involving more than 33,000 people, which demonstrated that the therapies are more effective than placebos, or no smoking-cessation treatment at all.
Although Chantix was found to help people quit smoking, other safer alternatives, such as Nicotine nasal spray were found to be near equally as effective, and Zyban (also known as Wellbutrin), the Nicotine patch and Nicotine tablets were found to be only marginally less effective. These other effective nicotine-replacement therapies do not have the same risks associated with them, which further highlights the importance of providing adequate warnings about the potential problems that could be caused by Chantix.
Over the past year, concerns have grown about the safety of Chantix and the impact the drug has on the brain. Chantix side effects have been linked to a number of psychological problems and other health concerns, which could result in death or serious physical injury. Since the stop-smoking drug was approved in May 2006, the FDA has received hundreds of reports of suicides, suicide attempts, cases of sudden psychosis, hostility or aggression. Earlier this year, the FDA required Pfizer, the maker of Chantix, to add warnings about the risk of these psychological side effects so that smokers can make an informed decision before starting the therapy.
In a related study published in the same issue of the Canadian journal, researchers surveyed smokers to ask whether they were interested in receiving free nicotine-replacement therapy and whether they would use them. According to 825 smokers, 60% indicated that they would be interested in receiving one of the products designed to help them quit smoking, and 94% of those said that they would use to try to quit smoking for good. However, if these same individuals had been informed that Chantix has been linked to an increased risk of suicides, suicidal thoughts and death, how many of these smokers would voluntarily choose to try Chantix, as opposed to one of the other available effective therapies.
CHANTIX SIDE EFFECT LAWSUITS
The Chantix lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent individuals throughout the United States who suffered severe physical injury or death as a result of a suicide or suicide attempt while taking Chantix. These users were not provided adequate warnings about the side effects of Chantix, which likely would have led them to choose a different smoking-cessation treatment to help them quit smoking. Potential Chantix lawsuits are also being investigated for users who developed new on-set diabetes, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or who suffered a severe injury in an accident caused by a sudden seizure or other medical problem which could have been caused by the drug.
If you, a friend or family member have a potential case, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
