Chantix Violent Behavior and Aggression Injuries

By Austin Kirk
Posted July 27, 2010

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In addition to pursuing lawsuits over suicide from Chantix, the lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are also reviewing potential claims for serious injuries caused by sudden violent or aggressive behavior caused by the stop-smoking drug. New research provides further support for the link between violence and Chantix side effects.

>>INFORMATION: Chantix Violence Lawsuit

For more than 2 1/2 years, our Chantix lawyers have been representing individuals and families severely injured or killed as a result of this popular prescription medication. While Chantix is designed to help people stop smoking, it has been linked to hundreds or reports of serious injuries or deaths among users and those close to them.

In addition to increasing the risk of suicidal thoughts and suicide with Chantix, users have found that the smoking cessation drug has caused them to lash out at the nearest person in an “uncontrollable rage,” which can result in serious or fatal injuries for both users and their friends or family.

In a report published July 20 online by The Annals of Phamacotherapy, researchers confirmed that there is an association between thoughts and acts of aggression or violence and Chantix. After reviewing adverse event reports from the FDA MedWatch database and other case reports, researchers concluded:

“The clear temporal relationship, lack of prior history of this behavior, and unusual nature of these events strengthens the acumulating scientific evidence that (Chantix) is associated with thoughts and acts of aggression/violence. We recommend that physicians and pharmacists ensure that all patients are informed of possible psychiatric symptoms of (Chantix), including violent and aggressive thoughts. All patients should be advised to contact a health-care provider immediately if these symptoms occur and (Cantix) should be discontinued without delay.”

Researchers say they found some key characteristics that appear to be common to Chantix violent behavior

• Incidents are usually inexplicable and unprovoked.
• The Chantix user attacks anyone nearby.
• There is no prior indication of similar behavior.
• Violence occurs shortly after beginning to take Chantix
• The violent urges go away 93% of the time when Chantix is stopped

Despite the clear association between Chantix and violent behavior, Pfizer continues to defend their blockbuster medication and claims that there is no scientific evidence that Chantix has caused incidents of violent behavior. Although new warnings were added to the medication about the risk of suicide and other psychiatric side effects, not enough is being done to warn consumers and physicians about the risk of violent or aggressive behaviors with Chantix, which can have a devastating impact on their user and their family.

CHANTIX VIOLENCE LAWSUITS

Individual Chantix violence lawsuits as well as potential Chantix class action suits are being reviewed as a result of Chantix side effects and Pfizer’s failure to warn consumers and properly investigate problems associated with their medication.

If you, a friend or family member has suffered serious physical injury or death as a result of Chantix aggressive behavior, compensation may be available through an individual Chantix lawsuit. Contact our Chantix attorneys to request a free consultation and claim evaluation.