Are Chantix Side Effects Worth the Risk?
The risks of continuing to smoke far outweigh the risks of trying to quit. Consider these facts:
All drugs have side effects, so doctors and patients considering starting a drug must always weigh the potential benefits against the risk of side-effects. (You can do the math using the above statistics.) Once you notice a side effect (or one is found by your doctor using laboratory tests), the severity of your side effects must be weighed against the benefit obtained by continuing the drug. Sometimes you and your doctor compromise by lowering the dose of the drug or switching to a different drug.
If you are an adult and feel blue (depressed), switching from Chantix to Zyban may be a good idea since Zyban is a low dose of an antidepressant (bupropion). If you get an itchy rash while taking Chantix, stop taking it until you can discuss this with your local pharmacist (free) or physician (good luck). Allergic reactions to drugs can become life-threatening if you ignore them and keep taking the drug.
This week, an FDA spokesperson said that "health care professionals should closely monitor patients for behavior and mood changes if they are are taking this drug." However, in my opinion, it is much more reasonable to advise the patient and their family and friends about this risk. The press and legal community have already done an excellent job of warning people (judging from their websites). It is encouraging that the FDA has responded much more rapidly in releasing the preliminary results of "post-marketing surveillance" for newly released drugs (such as Chantix) since the Vioxx/Celebrex fiasco.
However, their surveillance system is passive, waiting for doctors and patients to report drug side effects. This means that the SAE rates are probably seriously underreported. Perhaps only 1% of SAEs which occur are reported to the FDA after a drug is approved for sale.
Many experts believe that to better protect the public, surveillance should be proactive, with costs and responsibilities to be shared by the FDA and the company which profits from sales of the drug. In my opinion, in the case of Chantix, pro-active surveillance could easily have been paid for by spending a small fraction of the 25% profit from the $681 million in 2007 sales of Chantix.
Smoking cessation is a process for most smokers, who are addicted to nicotine. Before turning to drug therapy, I suggest trying to quit with the help of a support group. Call the smoking cessation helpline in your state or country, such as 1-800-QUITNOW in the United States.
Now for some interesting disclosures. Most of the smoking statistics I listed at the top are from a research paper which you can download for free and read. The renowned first author of this paper, Sir Richard Doll, died at age 92, one year after it was published in the British Medical Journal. After his death, it was disclosed that he had received, but not reported, large consulting fees from chemical companies during his career.
Over the past 3 years, I have been paid a total of about $20,000 by Pfizer for reviewing the quality of spirometry tests done for a study of the effectiveness of Chantix in patients with COPD. My consulting for them on this project continues. Last year, Pfizer also paid me about $4,000 for helping them to produce educational videos to describe how spirometry should be used to evaluate diabetic patients for whom Exubera was being considered. To learn more about the fate of Exubera, click here.
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: chantix, smoking, quit smoking, FDA, side effects
- One billion people will die from smoking in this century.
- Half of persistent cigarette smokers are killed by their habit.
- Smoking cessation at age 50 cuts this risk in half.
- Smoking cessation before age 30 avoids almost all of the risk.
- The success of smoking cessation improves by using nicotine gum; improves more by using Xyban; and improves even more by using Chantix.
- About half of those who take Chantix remain non-smokers one year later.
All drugs have side effects, so doctors and patients considering starting a drug must always weigh the potential benefits against the risk of side-effects. (You can do the math using the above statistics.) Once you notice a side effect (or one is found by your doctor using laboratory tests), the severity of your side effects must be weighed against the benefit obtained by continuing the drug. Sometimes you and your doctor compromise by lowering the dose of the drug or switching to a different drug.
If you are an adult and feel blue (depressed), switching from Chantix to Zyban may be a good idea since Zyban is a low dose of an antidepressant (bupropion). If you get an itchy rash while taking Chantix, stop taking it until you can discuss this with your local pharmacist (free) or physician (good luck). Allergic reactions to drugs can become life-threatening if you ignore them and keep taking the drug.
This week, an FDA spokesperson said that "health care professionals should closely monitor patients for behavior and mood changes if they are are taking this drug." However, in my opinion, it is much more reasonable to advise the patient and their family and friends about this risk. The press and legal community have already done an excellent job of warning people (judging from their websites). It is encouraging that the FDA has responded much more rapidly in releasing the preliminary results of "post-marketing surveillance" for newly released drugs (such as Chantix) since the Vioxx/Celebrex fiasco.
However, their surveillance system is passive, waiting for doctors and patients to report drug side effects. This means that the SAE rates are probably seriously underreported. Perhaps only 1% of SAEs which occur are reported to the FDA after a drug is approved for sale.
Many experts believe that to better protect the public, surveillance should be proactive, with costs and responsibilities to be shared by the FDA and the company which profits from sales of the drug. In my opinion, in the case of Chantix, pro-active surveillance could easily have been paid for by spending a small fraction of the 25% profit from the $681 million in 2007 sales of Chantix.
Smoking cessation is a process for most smokers, who are addicted to nicotine. Before turning to drug therapy, I suggest trying to quit with the help of a support group. Call the smoking cessation helpline in your state or country, such as 1-800-QUITNOW in the United States.
Now for some interesting disclosures. Most of the smoking statistics I listed at the top are from a research paper which you can download for free and read. The renowned first author of this paper, Sir Richard Doll, died at age 92, one year after it was published in the British Medical Journal. After his death, it was disclosed that he had received, but not reported, large consulting fees from chemical companies during his career.
Over the past 3 years, I have been paid a total of about $20,000 by Pfizer for reviewing the quality of spirometry tests done for a study of the effectiveness of Chantix in patients with COPD. My consulting for them on this project continues. Last year, Pfizer also paid me about $4,000 for helping them to produce educational videos to describe how spirometry should be used to evaluate diabetic patients for whom Exubera was being considered. To learn more about the fate of Exubera, click here.
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: chantix, smoking, quit smoking, FDA, side effects
67 Comments:
i used chantix 3 months ago. i only needed it for one month and i was smoke free. i now know more side affects have been reported, i have depression and panic disorders. i have been dealing with them for 8 yrs. nothing happend to me on this drug. i am glad i chose to use chantix.
After 30+ years of being a heavily addicted smoker, I was able to quit with Chantix and have been smoke free for one year. However, I have not yet been able to give up Chantix 100% and sometimes take half a pill when I feel very stressed. Therefore, it has a positive effect on me, but my brother became seriously depressed almost immediately upon starting Chantix and had to quit. I do know that I could not have quit without it and feel like it has saved my life.
I had to stop taking it when I became a raging maniac on that stuff....I was susicidal as well as homicidal....but I didn't want to smoke. My friends and family were happy to buy me smokes and stop taking that horrid drug. Also this was when it first came out and there was no posted, readily available information out on this drug. It was nice when a few weeks later I read about other people having difficulties in People magazine (great source for medical information, just kidding)but it was reassuring to know that outher people were having problems with this drug.
I started taking Chantix about 3 weeks ago and I have only experienced a little nausea about 1 hour after taking it. I soon discovered that I wasn't eating enough food when I took the pill. I ate more food and the nausea went away entirely. I am a 40 year smoker and I have tried all the programs and this one seems to work for me better. I would suggest those who have tried to quit like me should try Chantix.
I have been taking Chantix for about little over a month now, and it seems to be working just fine for me. No side effects to mention other than the nausea if you don't eat enough when you take it. I smoked for 18 years and I know that I wouldn't have been able to quit without it as I have tried several times before.
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I was on Chantix for about 10 days when the real negative side effects appeared. I was depressed and agitated far beyond that of normal nicotine withdrawl when quitting cold-turkey. I started to get really psycho on the stuff and stopped taking it. I switched to Zyban, and it has the opposite side effects. Positive mood, general well-being, etc. Also, cigarettes start to taste and smell horrid using Zyban, which aides in getting off the nicotine. Chantix works for some, but causes really bad psychological issues in many even up to suicidal thoughts and behavior. I think I'd rather keep smoking and kill myself slowly than to take a drug that makes me want to blow my brains out.
I have a close friend who took chantix for two months, a short while ago, who has now been diagnosed with Corticobasal Ganglione Degeneration, which is an incurable, and very rare illness. If anyone else had a similar diagnosis please email me at wrodd@aol.com Thank you
I am a lung cancer survivor of 1 yr.I still found it un-bearable not to smoke,I still sneak a few every now and then.I also tried everything.Chantix is a good choice for those that can tolerate it.I suffered SEVERE nausea,I mean worse than morning-sickness!! My Dr. and I tried several anti-nausea meds.they did'nt work.I also got very "emotional",I had to stop the chantix,the side effects were to much for me,personally.I am using alot of prayer,positive thinking and yes,another new method.Best to you that can take this med.and good luck!
I've been on Chantix for three and a half weeks and am going to see my doctor tomorrow. My mood is worsening and I see depression creeping in. I just don't give a toot about anything anymore! The "unusual" dreams have gone from mildly funny to horrific. This stuff knows how to target your worst fears. I'd rather face the beast (nicotine withdrawal) head on all by myself than go through these side effects.
I took Chantix for 8 weeks in July of 2007 and have been smoke free ever since, after smoking one pack a day for 25 years. I have not experienced any side effects at all, even though I am on an antidepressant. One time I took Chantix before eating something in the morning and that caused a bout of nausea. However, every article I read about it causing a violent behavior or mood swings involved people who drank alcohol while on the medication. I am not sure if all cases were people who drank but the ones I read about did. So I am wondering if those side effects have any link to alcohol....
In response to the person who posted "So I am wondering if those side effects have any link to alcohol...."
I had the symptoms causing me to be a mean and angry person for no reason at all as well as the horrible nightmares.
I did not use any alcohol while on Chantix. I have some left and it's so expensive (and does make you not want to smoke) that I have debated taking it again, but the effect it had on me is scaring me too much to do it.
After over 40 years of smoking, my husband quit. He'd had angioplasty, 1990, and quadruple bypass in 1997. He was unable to kick the habit until last March. He used Chantix for 3 months, and has not touched them since. He did have altered dreams, but that subsided after a couple of weeks. It's wonderful to have him smokefree.
I took the chantix for 3 months, smoked about 40 years. Not smoking now but now have high blood pressure and red face. I felt better when i was smoking, even told the doc's that! While using Chantix my temeper was UNREAL and if I had alcohol FORGET ABOUT IT! I wanted to attack things, not a good mix. I am thinking about going back to smoking. If anyone else has these symptons (red face) e-mail me..........Suick1@aol.com
I've smoked for 40 years cut back to less then half a pack a day.
Had a heart attack and was told I would not be treated if I didn't quit so I went on the chantix.
Moods went to terrible levels and panic attacks that I had never had any experience with in the past. STOPPED taking the med. and mood went back to normal cheerfull self.
Tried smoking while taking chatix and felt very ill sort of reminded me of the drug given to alcoholics and they became very sick when they take a drink on that drug. FYI.(NOT a drinker)
Is this the best the drug industries can come up with?
This is a miracle pill! I've tried the patch, Wellbutrin, those fake ciggy things (rx), lollipops, gum, a lot of stuff!
No, no matter what it isn't easy! Even on Chantix you still get an urge now and then. BUT. Not nearly as strong and persistant as before. And I dont know if it's the pill or all psychosomatic, but I swear they even taste nastier. (Yes, I did have a particularly stressful day in my 3rd week and cheated.) But once I got that taste in my mouth I threw the whole thing out the window (something I would have gone berzerk over before I started chantix- you know what I mean)I'm about to start on my 2nd month in two days and I am a believer! I'm following the regimen for the whole few months it reccomends. I am so happy! I am no longer addicted to a nasty stick that makes me hack, cough, wheeze, SMELL!, causes me to lack in taste, smell, appeal. Give me yellow teeth, hands, and nails. Come on people! I had no side effects whatsoever except the freedom I feel from breaking that chain. I will never panic again over whether or not I have any cigarettes and dread going to wawa at 9 pm in 18 degree weather. You all know what I'm saying!
What a miracle pill!! I took it for about 2 months and quit no problem. The only side effect I had was the vivid dreams (no nightmares)and nasea if I did not eat enough before taking the pill. Hats off to whoever invented this awesome little pill!
I have been smoking 1 1/2 packs for 15 years and I have tried the patches, the gum, the pills with no luck. I think this drug is a miracle! I have had vivid dreams, but they have been enjoyable, not scary at all. I have in the last week developed Shingles, and only being 29 this is unusual! Has anyone else had or heard of this being a side effect?
My husband took Chantix and had a reaction that hasn't been mentioned. Yes, he was a bit more touchy, and the dreams, but he started having the shakes and dizziness, bad enough he called me home from work to take him to the hospital. I almost had to call an ambulance on the way because he seemed to be having a very hard time focusing to answer me when I said his name. We got to ER and I had to put him in a wheelchair to get him in. They hooked him up to monitors, but there wasn't a whole lot they could do for him except let it get out of his body on its own. It was really scary, not knowing what more could happen before that... He stoped taking it and within 24 hours of the ER visit, he was ok. It's really a shame, too. He'd not had a smoke for a month thanks to the Chantix. He'd been on the patch for about 10 days when he first started the pills, but after the reaction, he's gone back to smoking. Less than before, though, so it seems to have some lasting possitive effect.
i smoked for 20 years then i took chantex for three months to quit. i stoped smoking a year ago, and after taking chantex the only side affect ihave is erectile dysfunction, has anyone else had this problem and if so how long did this last for you.
I started taking chantix approximaytly 45 days ago, and have been very successful thus-far. I have had some vivid dreams, but they are of no concern. I have found that I have chronic nausea, not knowing if i need to vomit or not, long after i have taken my dose. When i smoke a ciggarette (i have 2 a day), its even worse, is this common? is it the body's rejection ?
I used Chantix for three months after my husband had a triple bypass and we both had to stop smoking. It was a miracle drug for me who had smoked for over 40 years, have a very addictive personality, and was going through a very stessful time in my life. I did have the vivid dreams and some agitation, but they were bearable.
After 20+ years as a smoker, I successfully quit after 2 months on chantix. I had tried everything else and nothing worked. I was extremely agitated and depressed after I quit smoking/using the Chantix but I chalked it up to not having the smokes as a crutch anymore. I think I may have always been an edgy personality but used the smokes as a way to blow off steam or stuff my emotions down.
I had always relieved stress by smoking and had to learn how to deal with those feelings without smoking. I have since gotten a prescription for anti-depressants and feel much better! I am still smoke-free. I guess I feel that my life and health were worth the undesireable side effects. Please talk to your doctor if you need that emotional/psychological support.
I have smoked for 25 years, 1 pack a day, and started taking Chantix 3 months ago. I have told everyone that as far as I am concerned it is a miracle drug. I am now smoke free. I tried everything else and was never able to stop until Chantix. I did have some crazy dreams in the beginning, but no other trouble. Chantix is certainly worth a try for anyone wanting to quit. If the side effects are too intense, quit taking it. Not all drugs are for all people.
I dont know why those smokers cant live without cigarettes, they all know that smoking is not good in out health and they all continue to use cigarettes.
Word of advice--take one pill first thing in the morning and take the second one by 3:00pm in the afternoon--unless you get up to smoke in the middle of the night to smoke, you need it for the evening anyway. Most of the adverse effects will not happen if you do not take it too late. This drug works great.
I was using Chantix and stopped, because they kept me awake all night. That was with my first box. I am wondering if I start to use again, is there anything I can take to alleaviate not being able to sleep at night?
I have been on chantex now for about 6 months.I started takeing it the day after i recieved 3 stents in my heart.i have gone from 3 packs a day down to sneak a cig about 1time every 24hrs.Just had another stent put in this past saturday and that makes 4 .and boy did that make me want to stop all together.I have not had any side efectts as mentioned in other postings ,but i have also been takeing anti depressant also,but have been doing that for years .I smoked for 37 years and i just have had enough
I started taking chantix about a month and a half ago, but not because someone MADE ME, because I wanted to. My son was about 9 months old and I wanted to be there for him. I dont have the stories like everyone else. I didnt smoke for 30+ years, maybe under 10. I just wanted to do it for him. I think that helped for me, because deep down I really wanted it to. I work in a pharmacy and I'm quick to tell people my success story. Yeah I got the occassional upset stomach, my fault for not eating. The dreams were off the wall, not nightmares. I agree, I love not having to worry about running out of cigs at 2am when the stores closed. I hope others have the success I do, and I hope everyone else keeps trying.
to lovely...how much do you weigh?...do you ever eat junk food or artificial sweetner? Do you regularly skip exercise? Do you drink alcohol, how often do you eat fruits and veggies. I am guessing you are overweight, maybe not but do not judge...no one is perfect and just eating the beef that you buy at the supermarket will give you cancer. As will driving so many other things that I am sure you have no idea about. So unless you live on a commune in Siberia and grow all your own crap, etc. never ingest anything artifical (do your homework)your just as screwed maybe evn more...how often do you eat whole grains and unbleached foods? When ur perfect then judge but until then, (u r not perfect cause then you would have no reason to judge) screw off
I started taking Chantix about a month and a half ago. The two problems that I have is sick to my stomach for about an hour after taking the pill (some times I vomit) and diareah. I have found that if I eat something chocolate my stomach settles down a little quicker. I have not gained any weight. I was a smoker for over 40 years and I really wanted to quit. Now with Chantix I can.
So the medication far out weghts the risk of the drug. Good luck everyone and hang in there!
My husband, who already has a temper, took this for not even a month and became very angry and mean. He pushed me around, broke a picture frame over my head, and trashed our house. I don't even know who he is right now. I am scared of him. He has quit taking the pills, but not before we split and may have lost our marriage.
my wife and I started Chantix together about 3 weeks ago. She experienced: upset stomache, vomiting, mood swings, and overall had to stop taking it. I am currently experiencing the nightmares/vivid dreams & mildly upset stomache. I did find that the dream problem dimishes somewhat the earlier you take the pill (i.e. RIGHT after dinner).
That part about "take with food" is not just there for the sake of it - it does make a difference.
I started Chantix about two months ago. The first two weeks I was having the vivid dreams, but that went away. I was wandering if anyone has had constipation on this drug. I haven't smoked at all for about one month of the two but have been getting constipation often. At one time it was a week before I took a laxative. Other than that the pill is the best thing ever. The patch,gum,hypnatisists,and lozengers are jokes!! If you have had this symtom please e-mail me at pml2@verizon.net THANKS
To anonymous constipated: I too experienced this nasty symptom. Eight months later I am taking 3 yes 3 medications for it! Although I have other medical issues , the constipation started along with the taking of Chantix.Thats my story and I seem to be stuck with it.
I've been on chantix for a little over a week now. I must say I'm slightly impressed. I've been smoking two packs a day for a while now and have certainly cut back. The side effects are mild, I haven't had any trouble sleeping except for a vivid dream here and there and nausea lasting a few minutes (even when I don't eat). What I'm not experiencing is the horrible taste or smell accompanied with the drug's reaction to cigarettes. I'm still getting regular cravings, although less frequent. When I do smoke I'm not offended by the odor or taste, I just don't enjoy it, it seems habitual at this point. Also, the .5mg do absolutely nothing for me, I had to go straight to the 1mg, anyone else have similar reactions to the lower dosages?
Otherwise, the drug is working well so far, I didn't think I could quit with my hectic and sometimes stressful schedule (Two jobs and a full-time college schedule). Chantix also seems to take some of the edge off the nicotine withdraw effects, I have minor sweats now and then and the occasional feeling of being hyper agitated but they go away quickly.
For me the side effects are well worth it. I'm on week 5 of Chantix and haven't smoked in 3 weeks. It's been a great thing for me. I have the vivid dreams (like a movie while I sleep)but sleep better now than I have in 5 years. I've had the heartburn & nausea but those went away. Some of the other things (a bit scatter brained)I think is are from not smoking, not the Chantix.
I started chantix on 2/29/28. this drug has been wonderful.It is the first thing i tried that has actually worked well.I have been a smoker for about 40yrs & have tried everything even hypnosis.chantix has taken away the need to smoke.Unfortunately I actually still want to smoke one every now & then & have smoked 3 or 4 since i started.. Now the bad stuff
chantix makes me extremely moody & mean @ times.
a little upset stomach but only when i take the 2nd pill of the day & then only if i take it with my cholesterol medicine
some really weird dreams
I cant sleep(I think this is what makes me mean & moody)I am up everynight every hr on the hr just about.
Bottom line is i am trying to work with the chantix as i really like the benefits i am getting from it.
any suggestions on how to get some actual sleep while taking this would be extremely helpful
I am a week into taking Chantix and I have mixed feelings. I've been nausiated, thought I was pregnant, then realized that I need to actually eat when I take my pill, not just nibble on stuff. Then I started feeling pretty down, because of the pill or because I'm not pregnant and want to be? Couldnt tell you. As far as anger issues go, I have a very short fuse to begin with. So now with the emotional side effects, I have now lost a good friend...
wow, some more great success stories. My sister and I started Chantix the same day. She had mild side effects and is now smoke free for 3 weeks. I got ill when I took the pill, vomiting and extreme pain in my stomach, this started when I moved to the higher dose. I quit taking it. I was doing great on it and had cut down alot. Any suggestions? I still have my starter pack. Perhaps I just need some unbiased support.
I took Chantix for 3 weeks and I have been smoke free for a year now, yes this pill worked wonders but those side affect well the scared the hell out of me so much that i went to a shrink and u know what i was told, im menapausal haha go figure he wold not listen to anything i had tosay just because im 46 and at that age. The panic attacks and all that are associated with menapause but i was a raving manic with the chantx, i was depressed,had dizzy spells,mood swings and i felt like i was dieing, i had no sucidial feelings just felt like i was gona die. yeah chantix helped me quit but u have to have it set in ur mind as well the pill didnt just do it on its own. But I do suggest that if your gona take Chantix that you pay attention to any side affects that you may have. Your health is the most important thing.
I do agree with the set in your mind that you want to quit. I was scared of the side effects before I even started taking it, actually had been told by a few people that I shouldn't take it. Mostly because of the thoughts of suicide warnings. I am not suicidal, but do get depressed easily. Perhaps it is just not my time, but I do want to rid myself of this monkey on my back.
After smoking a pack a day (sometimes more) for 30 years I chose Chantix to quite. I have been smoke free since 2/1/08. The side effects of waking up during the night, rather vivid dreams and constipation are annoying. I am just living with them because I figure they will end after the treatment stops and I believe I will remain smoke free. A tip that I think is helping me not get angry or anxious is that I had a hypnosis session to help control weight gain and mood swings that are often associated with quitting. My 1 hour session with a certified therpist was $95 and well worth it.
i used chantix for anout 3 weeks. i will suffer thru the withdrawls on my own. i had worse cravings while taking the chantix then i had before. and the side effects have been horrif, i had & still have terrible stomache pain terrible constipation. nope sorry this drug was not for me..
I am on day 3 of Chantix. So far doing really good except today feeling a little dizzy. Noticed the taste and smell are not to appetizing. My husband smokes and I have to ask him to smoke elsewhere. Did start my menstural cycle 2 weeks early too, not sure if that is a side affect. Was smoking about a pack a day and amazingly first day had 3 smokes 2nd day had two smokes and today so far just one. I think alot of quitting is will power. I am ready to quit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My husband and I started Chantix together for his 50th birthday. The problem is I had to quit. It made me so nauseous, I had sharp stabbing pain in my stomach no matter what I ate before, during or after I took it. No I don't drink. My nightmares are horrific, I'm depressed, anxious, can't concentrate, irritable,I call the DR. the response is I'm having nicotine withdrawl, Help, I shake, tremble, sweat.. noone wants to help me out with my symptoms.
I TOOK CHANTIX FOR AWHILE AND I BECAME VERY DEPRESSED SICK TO MY STOMACH NO MATTER HOW MUCH I ATE AND WAS VERY MEAN TO THE ONES I LOVE SO I STOPPED TAKING IT AND FEEL LIKE MYSELF AGAIN!Still looking for some thing similar to this!?
My mother has asthma and she started taking chantix a few months back and less than two weeks after starting chantix she experienced an asthma attack and almost died. In fact she went code blue and had to be revived in the emergency room. Now it may br unrelated to the taking of chantix but my mother swares her breathing became worse immediately after starting chantix. Anybody else out there had similar experiences?
After over 40 years of smoking I'm 76 days smoke-free & 23 days Chantix free. Around day 70 I was having some craves for a cig - I shared the information on another site. Someone who had quit before more suggested more protein less carbs. My husband had a powdered protein drink - I put some in my milk & didn't have more craves so do that daily now.
I started Chantix, in April of 2007. I have been smoke free for almost a year. I had nausea when I didn't eat much and vivid dreams, also, I didn't sleep well when I was on Chantix. I took it for 5 months just to make sure I didn't slip.
My anniversary being smoke free for one year is May 1, 2008. When I decided to quit (thank God for this), I asked the doctor for a prescription for Chantix. Put it off for a few weeks, but then got up enough nerve to start the program. The third day on Chantix I was done with cigarettes. I had no side effects and started to realize what a horrible thing smoking was and hoped many more people would "wise up" as I had. I would never say anything to a person smoking near me, but I do think to myself, "I can't believe I smelled like that and my husband never said a word."
ok, heard about chantix from a complete stranger, mentioned it to a friend and they tried it during a time i was busy helping an injured friend and just found out this weekend they are having great success. their whole household is still smoking after a week and a half and they put their smokes down no prob and people are smoking virtually in their face. as we are both heavy smokers i am thinking this may work for me as i see it as my last hope given all else has failed, including my willpower(or lack thereof). only concern beyond general side effects is i do have to take narcotic pain meds-long acting, slow acting time released crap until my back surgery but i need to quit not just for myself and my kids but so i can heal properly from my surgery and feel better as well. i am over smoking, but rely too heavily on it as a crutch and don't want to deal with withdrawals. anyone else know someone in a similar situation because i don't want to hurt myself with a drug interaction. i don't drink, just smoke and have to take this crap pain med. thanks for the info and suggestions by the way...i never get online cuz i'm busy, but mayble i need this as much as the chantix...thanks and good luck to everyone else battling this demon.
I am on asthma meds such as albuterol, accolate, and injectable xolair. Chantix literature says to consult your Dr. if you have asthma, before taking the med....but none of my physicians seem to know the specifics. I remain uncertain as to whether I should start Chantix or not. Does anyone know why you need to be careful with Chantix in people with asthma, or specifically what asthma meds you have to be careful with in taking Chantix?? I have allergies / asthma so bad that I must take high doses of prednisone every few weeks or so.
I want to quit smoking w/ the Chantix, but need more info.
I am on asthma meds such as albuterol, accolate, and injectable xolair. Chantix literature says to consult your Dr. if you have asthma, before taking the med....but none of my physicians seem to know the specifics. I remain uncertain as to whether I should start Chantix or not. Does anyone know why you need to be careful with Chantix in people with asthma, or specifically what asthma meds you have to be careful with in taking Chantix?? I have allergies / asthma so bad that I must take high doses of prednisone every few weeks or so.
I want to quit smoking w/ the Chantix, but need more info.
I am on asthma meds such as albuterol, accolate, and injectable xolair. Chantix literature says to consult your Dr. if you have asthma, before taking the med....but none of my physicians seem to know the specifics. I remain uncertain as to whether I should start Chantix or not. Does anyone know why you need to be careful with Chantix in people with asthma, or specifically what asthma meds you have to be careful with in taking Chantix?? I have allergies / asthma so bad that I must take high doses of prednisone every few weeks or so.
I want to quit smoking w/ the Chantix, but need more info.
A former 1 1/2 pack per day smoker, I have been smoke-free for 1 year after taking Chantix for 6 weeks. I did experience some nausea but found that eating curbed it for me. My dreams went from vivid to terrifying after about 10 days but leveled off to just plain strange after about 20 days. My husband smoked (my brand) around me at home the entire time. I also used alcohol socially while I was taking Chantix and it had no ill effects. For those of you that think Chantix will quit for you, don't waste your money. Your drive to quit will overcome the side effects if you're committed. Being uncomfortable for 3 months and regaining your health is far better than wasting away in a bed for 3 months and dying.
I took Chantix for 3 weeks. I quit smoking, indeed and it's 4 months smoke free with no urge to smoke. That's awesome.
It's also 4 months of panic attacks, serious mood swings and horrible insomnia. My MD had to prescribe me sleeping pills which I still have to take. I was sick to my stomach, I burst into tears for no reason, I felt pretty hopeless. This went on for months and I am only starting to feel better now.
I am in my mid thirties with NO history of depression. I have quit smoking before cold turkey without these side effects.
I'm still smoke free, I feel better *physically* but I'm still not 100% in the psychological department. I am still very on the fence about this drug, because it did help me quit smoking, but it's taken such a toll in other ways :(
well i tried everything except chantix, but i recently was on the wellbutrin which is zyban under a different name 10 days i was angry hostil, irritable and thought of suicide for no apparent reason. i had already quit smoking for 14DAYS before i started it, so i know it was the pill not the quitting, anyway, i stay with nicotrol inhaler and always will!! it's just like smoking!! but safer!!
My uncle, who had previously experienced some psychological problems, was improving so, so much. In fact, that is the reason he decided to go on Chantix, to better take care of himself. He committed suicide about a week ago after using Chantix for about 10 days.
The testing conducted before the drug was released onto the market was utterly insufficient. The testers excluded alcohol users and peopel formerly diagnosed with psychological problems.
The drug actually works by blocking pleasure-receptors in the brain, AND NOT only just the ones related to smoking, contrary to what they might tell you. Let's face it, while this world is great is some sense, it is not all that great. Add in the fact that this drug deprives your psychology of its pleasure chemicals. If you are an honest, down-to-earth person, you can surely see why this drug would cause somebody to act crazy, consider taking their life, or actually do it.
I guess everything really has been given up to utilitarianism. What is a man supposed to do? Chantix has worked miracles for many and killed a few. My advice is to seriously consider your situation before you take this drug, and if you do, put yourself under the close monitoring of others and regularly examine yourself during the time.
I took Chantix for a little over 3 months at half the normal dose (because I couldn't tolerate the nausea). It was still very effective for me and I had no other side effects. I stayed smoking while I was on it for about 5 weeks and then quit in November. Then I stopped taking Chantix in January, but now I can't sleep! I used to sleep very well all the time. Now, if I sleep at all it's only a few hours. I've given up caffeine, I bought a treadmill and get exercise every day (which has helped me lose the weight I gained when I quit smoking as a nice side benefit), and I do all the "right" things according to my doctor but I still can't sleep. I've tried Ambien but that didn't help; now I'm using Lunesta but that only works sometimes and only for a few hours. I'm very glad that I quit smoking after 34 years but I'm so tired that my ability to concentrate has noticably diminished and I'm very irritable. If anyone has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it!
I am 66 years old,and smoked for 50+ years,up to 4 packs a day. After the first week of Chantix, I have not had one cig. I also have no side affects. I have been smoke free since Nov. 27, 2007 For me this is the best thing since sliced bread.
I am a 32 year old male who started Chantix the first week of March 2008. I initially noticed increased irritabilty and moodiness but no other symptoms. This past Friday (May 9th) I had a couple of drinks and do not recall about 3 hours of the evening. Typically that much alcohol would not have much of an effect on me. At some point during the evening the police arrived and notified me that I allegedly was involved in a violent physical altercation with someone I was close to. Again, I have no recollection of this taking place nor any rational reason why this would occur. I assumed that since my prescribing physician is aware I am a social drinker that the combination would not of been a problem. Family member and anyone who has known me for a significant amount of time can attest to the fact that this is not part of my normal personality. One cannot imagine how frustrating it is being told you did something to another human yet no matter how hard you try cannot recall.
Well, gee...now I'm scared to death to try Chantix after reading the comments posted here. I'm a 48 year old female, bipolar and being treated with Buproprion for the depression and Trileptal as a mood stabilizer. I'm a social drinker. I've smoked for 30 years and wanted to quit for about 15 of them, just have absolutely no will power of my own. When I first started the Buproprion about six years ago I did notice not craving cigarettes as much, but the stress of the situation at that time didn't make me more prone to quitting. I only smoke about half what I used to since starting that drug, a half pack of coffin nails a day though, and have a new baby granddaughter that I'd love to see grow up. May God give me the strength to either do this on my own or survive a trial of Chantix!
I am a 35 year old female who has smoked a pack a day for 19 years and started taking chantix 19 days ago. The first week of taking the
.5mg pills my pack of cigs lasted me for the whole week. I have not had a cig in 12 days and feel great about not smoking but am having serious doubts about the side effects. The dreams started out a little crazy and now they are really bad. Also I just started 4 days ago with having bad pain in the upper part of my stomach just below the breat bones and have looked on Web MD for symptoms and all the symptoms point to an Ulcer? I am not sure after reading testimonials about Chantix if this is related to the pills or if I really have an ulcer. I am currently taking over the counter meds for upset stomach,acid reflux,sour stomach, heartburn and indigestion etc. and they are not working or even helping a little bit. So now I am hoping that it is from the Chantix and not something more serious like an Ulcer. If it is side effects from the Chantix I will deal with that but I do not know for certian being these symptoms did not take effect until 15 days after starting Chantix. One would think that if it was side effects from taking Chantix that these symptoms would of occured long before now. I am still holding off on seeing my Doctor because I am unsure?
I'm on my 3rd week of Chantix and admit I have cheated a couple of times--made me very nauseated! The cigs smelled nasty, tasted nasty, and I wound up giving them to a neighbor (as I can't justify throwing $4 in the trash!) I still have cravings, but they don't last long at all. I am also on a couple of depression meds, so dr told me to "watch myself" while on the combo of meds. Feel fine. No more hacking cough & the nasty stuff that comes from the cough! Dad died of lung cancer; I don't want to be the next. Good luck to all of you!
talk to any pharmacist and find out that chantix will work differently for any BODY. every body handles things differently, and the same goes for using chantix. using anti-depressents concurrently with the chantix probably would have helped all these "spazzy episodes". i am taking chantix now, and i am a pharmacist. it is working. also, not anyone can take zyban (wellbutrin). those with epilpsy will most likely have more seizures on wellbutrin. i seized on it years ago, and was recently diagnosed at an epileptic, so be very careful what you believe.
wI took Chantix starting in late December 2007. After 2 weeks I was no longer smoking. After 1 month I cut the dosage down to half. Couln't afford the 3rd months supply and started smoking again when the effects of the Chantix wore off! I'm going to try it again soon, because I felt a lot better ( despite side-effects) when I was smoke free for a few months.
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