Anti-smoking Drug Chantix May Cause Suicide

The anti-smoking drug, Chantix, is under FDA warning for reports of suicide and suicidal behavior by people taking the medication. What is it with Big Pharma? Their cures seem to be worse than the problems they are treating. The way we see it, their major interest is in making a profit and if it helps some people in the process, all the better. If people get hurt in the process, too bad for them; they were sick anyway.

WASHINGTON - Government regulators said Friday the connection between Pfizer's anti-smoking drug Chantix and serious psychiatric problems is "increasingly likely."

The Food and Drug Administration said it has received reports of 37 suicides and more than 400 of suicidal behavior in connection with the drug. In November, the agency began investigating reports of depression, agitation and suicidal behavior among patients taking the popular twice-daily pill.

The agency's announcement comes two weeks after Pfizer added stronger warnings to the drug. In doing so, the company stressed that a direct link between Chantix and the reported psychiatric problems has not been established, but could not be ruled out.

Pfizer suggested that since nicotine withdrawal alone can cause mood swings and agitation, it may be impossible to determine if Chantix aggravates those behaviors.

But FDA said it found evidence of Chantix patients who experienced psychiatric problems even though they were still smoking.

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