According to ABC News, scientists say the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should take warnings about the stop-smoking drug Chantix up a notch, citing data showing that the drug increases suicidal behavior and depression far more than other drugs and methods designed to help smokers quit. Chantix, also called varenicline, has been hotly debated since 2007, when experts first raised questions about the long-term safety of the drug and its connection to cardiovascular problems and vision lapses. Since then, studies have reported that patients taking Chantix are at increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts. Anecdotally, patients report wild dreams, inexplicable violent behavior and other psychological disturbances while on the drug. In 2009, the FDA placed a “black box” warning label on Chantix and another drug, Zyban, cautioning doctors and patients about the risk of depression, hostility and suicidal thoughts. But some researchers say these warnings don’t go far enough. On November 3, 2011, a study published in the journal PLOS ONE continued to sound the alarm against Chantix and urged the FDA to update Chantix’s warning label, saying the psychological risks of the drug exceed those of nicotine replacement drugs or even its competitor, Zyban.

Dr. Curt Furberg, a professor of public health sciences at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and one of the study’s authors, said people trying to kick their tobacco habit generally are at higher risk for psychological symptoms, but Chantix makes them far worse.

Understanding why suicide is a side effect of smoking cessation pills is of ultimate importance to smokers considering taking the drug. Several lawsuits have been filed because the manufacturers of these pills do not provide ample warning.

THE WAR OF NICOTINE VS. DOPAMINE

Smoking cessation pills simply make anxiety and depression worse. Chantix blocks nicotine receptor sites in the brain in order to reduce nicotine cravings, but in that process, naturally occurring dopamine and serotonin are blocked, creating dangerous and nearly intolerable side effects. When a human being experiences a stressful or exciting event, natural hormones create neural reactions in the brain’s central processing area called synapses, which involve neurons firing electrical charges that stimulate behavior and mood elevations. By taking Chantix, the smoker is blocking these natural reactions from doing their job, preventing the person from coping with anxiety, depression, and frustration. Chantix disables the natural “fight or flight” reactions, which in turn makes even small problems seem insurmountable, leading to feelings of intense anxiety and thoughts of suicide. No wonder why sleeplessness and nightmares are the most common side effects. Chantix, chemically known as varenicline, is a drug sold by Pfizer. Chantix side effects include agitation, depression, and onset of psychiatric illness such as psychosis, mania, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and hallucinations. Chantix may lead to the recurrence of old psychiatric illness. Some patients have attempted or committed suicide. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices reported that Chantix accounts for more “serious drug adverse events” in the United States than any other drug. In 2008, the FDA issued alerts about some of these serious adverse side-effects. Pfizer has slowly admitted to these reports over time. At one point, the Chantix label was updated to mention reports of depression, agitation, changes in behavior and suicide. Still considering taking Chantix? Here’s the laundry list of side effects directly from the website. “Some people have had changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts or actions while using CHANTIX to help them quit smoking. Some people had these symptoms when they began taking CHANTIX, and others developed them after several weeks of treatment or after stopping CHANTIX. If you, your family, or caregiver notice agitation, hostility, depression, or changes in behavior, thinking, or mood that are not typical for you, or you develop suicidal thoughts or actions, anxiety, panic, aggression, anger, mania, abnormal sensations, hallucinations, paranoia, or confusion, stop taking CHANTIX and call your doctor right away. Also tell your doctor about any history of depression or other mental health problems before taking CHANTIX, as these symptoms may worsen while taking CHANTIX.”

SEIZURES CAN OCCUR FROM HIGH DOSES OF ZYBAN!

Zyban, chemically known as bupropion, is actually an antidepressant. The most common side effects of Zyban are agitation, dry mouth, insomnia, headache, nausea, constipation, and tremor. Some patients may experience weight loss. Seizures also occur, especially at higher doses. Research published in 2010 in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology suggested that women who take Zyban during early pregnancy run a greater risk for having a baby born with a heart birth defect. Attention all smokers, there’s a war going on inside your body and brain right now: nicotine versus dopamine. Which one will win? Are you tipping the scales away from your favor more and more everyday? Your body creates Dopamine to help you with stress and anxiousness. By using nicotine year after year, eventually your body will stop creating dopamine, and rely on cigarette’s one hundred percent, in the same way Diabetics have to take insulin shots periodically throughout the day. When the side effects of a drug are worse than the problem intended to be treated, common sense tells a person to find another solution! Many natural remedies can replenish what cigarette chemicals deplete from the body, eliminating the cravings of cigarettes. Spring water balances the system and aids in healthy cell production. Dark organic chocolate releases serotonin and fights depression. Mecuna stimulates dopamine and medicinal mushrooms build up the immune system. Check your local healthfood store.

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