Chantix Side Effects Reported More and are More Dangerous than All Other Drugs

Chantix (varenicline) was approved in the United States by the FDA in 2006 as a prescription medication to help people quit smoking. The drug works by reducing the positive feelings that come from cigarettes, blocking the receptors in the brain commonly stimulated by nicotine. However, the impact of the drug on the brain has resulted in a number of reports from users who experienced sudden, unusually aggressive behavior, thoughts of self-harm and in extreme cases, Chantix suicide. Growing concerns over the drug have led to an ongoing investigation into the Chantix side effects in the United States. The FDA indicated that their review of data indicates it is “increasingly likely that there may be an association between Chantix and serious neuropsychiatric symptoms.”This data may help a victim and Chantix lawyer regarding their odds of being granted compensation from the drug maker as a result of these psychological side effects. 

Chantix Psychological Side Effects Plague Patients

One of the most widely-publicized legal issues in the country at this time is the ever-growing multidistrict litigation against smoking cessation drug Chantix. Initially a successful and promising drug, Chantix users more and more began to notice side effects related to the medication, some of which have proven fatal. Most of the Chantx lawsuit against drugmaker Pfizer deal with alleges that the patient has experienced some form of Chantix psychological problems, which have been known to include depression, rage, mood swings, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and suicide. 

The most serious of these side effects is, obviously, suicide, and lawsuits involving suicide and suicide attempts are likely to be the most successful in a court of law. However, Chantix has other deadly side effects as well—including heart attack and diabetes. Like with most personal injury cases, the cases that are most likely to be successful are the ones that involve the most serious personal injury or long-term repercussions. Bereaved families whose loved one passed away because of Chantix side effects are more likely to be awarded a settlement than patients

Chantix Side Effects Lawsuits Slam Popular Drug

The smoking cessation drug Chantix looked like it was poised to be a success when it was first introduced to the market. Unlike many smoking cessation products, it proved extremely successful against a placebo during early clinical trials. However, for some Chantix patients, they are getting more than they bargain for—while making a desperate attempt to improve their health, some of these patients might accidentally be sentencing themselves to Chantix attempted suicide death. Chantix attempted suicide for them while they want to quit smoking.

Chantix was not tested during initial clinical trials on patients with a history of mental illness, although there are statistics that show that people with psychological problems or a history of psychological problems are more likely to be smokers than people without psychological problems. It is the former category that is more likely to experience psychological Chantix side effects. Depression, violent rages, sudden mood swings, aggression, and suicidal thoughts or Chantix suicide ideations.

Chantix Lawyers Discouraged by FDA Announcement?

The Food and Drug Administration has recently conducted two studies attempting to link the smoking cessation drug Chantix with psychological side effects that have been associated with the medication. However, both of these studies seem to have come up with nothing. Although this might discourage some plaintiffs who have filed lawsuits against Chantix drugmaker Pfizer, because they think that this might put an end to their lawsuits. Chantix personal injury lawyers dealing with these cases are feeling the pressure as well. However, there are some flaws in the Food and Drug Administration’s research that some people may have overlooked.

The Food and Drug Administration only conducted studies on Chantix patients who were hospitalized for depression and other possible psychological Chantix side effects. However, there may be a number of patients who are feeling the symptoms of the Chantix side effects, but do not want to get help or are not feeling them seriously enough to warrant hospitalization. In addition, some of the most serious allegations against Pfizer are Chantix suicide and Chantix attempted suicide—most of which occurred when the patient’s depression

Are Side Effects of Chantix Better Than Risk of Smoking While Pregnant?

Though the effects of Chantix have not been proved, it is not advised for the prescription to be used in pregnant women as there are indications that Chantix can be excreted in the mother’s milk and may lead to adverse side effects on the fetus. According to an independent report from the non-profit Institute for Same Medication Practices, within two years of its approval, Chantix was associated with more adverse event reports than any other medication, including drugs like fentanyl, oxycodone and other drugs used for serious illnesses. Towards the end of last year, less than two years after it was first introduced by Pfizer, concerns began to emerge about the side effects of Chantix, when a number of adverse events were reported about users committing suicide, having suicidal thoughts and unusual aggressive behavior on Chantix.

Colorado Murders Argued To Be Caused By Chantix

Since its approval in May 2006, many people have turned to Chantix to stop smoking. While the medication was initially presented as one with very few side effects, Chantix has since been associated with numerous reports of suicides and other potentially serious injuries caused by unusual Chantix mood swings and behavior while taking the drug. Pfizer, the drug’s maker, failed to warn consumers about these psychological side effects of Chantix, and lawsuits are being reviewed nationwide on behalf of users who suffered a serious physical injury or death as a result of suicide. Experts say that people suffering from depression and mental problems are more likely to smoke and

Cases Build for Chantix Suicides and Suicide Attempts, FDA Ups Warning

Shortly after Chantix was introduced, an alarming number of reports were received by the FDA MedWatch adverse event reporting system involving users who committed suicide on Chantix or suddenly attempted suicide, despite no prior history of psychological problems. In November 2007, the FDA issued an early communication regarding an emerging safety concern which linked the use of Chantix and suicide, suicidal thoughts and sudden changes in behavior. In February 2008, the FDA issued a statement which suggested that their evaluation indicates it is “increasingly likely that there may be an association between Chantix and serious neuropsychiatric symptoms.” In July 2009, the FDA required Pfizer to add a prominently displayed boxed warning stating the possible side effects of Chantix including behavior changes, depression, hostility and suicidal thoughts, which is the

Heart Attacks Just Now Understood As Chantix Side Effect

Last month, the FDA did take some action on risks associated with Chantix cardiovascular problems by warning that people with pre-existing heart problems could face a higher risk of cardiovascular events if they take the drug. The information, which was added to the “Warnings and Precautions” section of the Chantix label, was based on a study that assessed Chantix for smoking cessation in 700 patients aged 35 to 75 years with stable, documented cardiovascular disease. Chantix was approved in the United States by the FDA in 2006 as a prescription medication to help people quit smoking. The drug works by reducing the positive feelings that come from cigarettes, blocking the receptors in the brain commonly stimulated by nicotine. However, the impact of the drug on the brain has resulted in a number of reports from users who experienced sudden, unusually aggressive behavior, thoughts of self-harm and extreme cases, Chantix suicide.

Chantix Suicide Most Critical Side Effect of Quit Smoking Drug

In 2008 The FDA announced a public health advisory about abnormal behavior, agitation, Chantix depression, suicidal ideation, and actual suicidal behavior with Pfizer’s anti-smoking drug. The FDA provided updated numbers - 491 cases of suicidal thinking or behavior, including 420 in the US and of those, there were 39 suicides, including 34 in the US. Many of the cases were reported for patients without any prior history of psychiatric illness. Government scientists are conducting further investigating into the drug and, specifically, the reports of Chantix suicide and suicidal ideation. Chantix, approved in 2006, works by blocking nicotine receptors to the brain. Chantix is the first such nicotine receptor partial agonist approved by the FDA. It was heralded as an alternative to other smoking cessation drugs and nicotine replacement therapy.

Chantix Heart Attack Evidence Mounting

Many users of the popular smoking cessation drug are familiar with the adverse Chantix side effects that have been linked to the drug, including psychological conditions and cardiovascular problems.  These risks  include suicidal thoughts, suicide, increased rage or aggression, depression, and mood swings as well as Chantix heart attack, vascular disease, angina pectoris, and coronary revascularization. These problems, particularly the ones related to heart problems, can also manifest in smokers because of the smoking itself, making filing lawsuits regarding Chantix heart problems a little more tricky than they might otherwise be.

Chantix Multidistrict Litigation Inching Forward

Although Chantix litigation has been consolidated in multidistrict litigation, as presided over by District Judge Inge P. Johnson, since October of 2009, many plaintiffs and other interested parties are unaware of the progress it has been making since it was consolidated. At the time of the consolidation, which was requested in July of 2009, there were only 34 Chantix lawsuits involved. Now, there are more than 1,200 that have been filed in courts across the country and are being consolidated in multidistrict litigation, which will combine pretrial processes in similar cases in order to expedite the legal process.

            Most Chantix cases involved in multidistrict litigation are related to Chantix suicide and suicide attempts, which is one of the more common psychological side effects of the popular smoking cessation aid. However, there are a multitude of other Chantix side effects listed as

Chantix Lawsuit Settlements Gauged by Bellwether Trials

Although Chantix lawsuits are still coming in from across the country, thousands of lawsuits that have already been combined in Chantix multidistrict litigation are preparing for trials in the coming years. These cases, largely dealing with Chantix-related psychological problems like anxiety, depression, and Chantix suicide have been consolidated in a process that will speed litigation and help plaintiffs reach a settlement more quickly, as pretrial processes in similar cases are combined.

            Chantix psychological problems are a highly-publicized phenomenon which seems to develop mostly in patients with a personal or family history of psychological disorders or behavioral and emotional problems. These same people were deliberately left out of Chantix clinical trials by drugmaker Pfizer, despite the fact that statistically, people with psychological problems are much more likely to be smokers than people without these conditions. Suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts are not uncommon Chantix side effects, and some

Chantix Lawsuits Making Progress: Update

Chantix, the popular smoking cessation drug that has plagued some users with serious side effects, is about to be at the centre of a series of trials set to take place in the Northern District of Alabama. Over 1,200 Chantix lawsuits have been consolidated in multidistrict litigation that has not yet begun, but both parties will begin preparing evidence from the initial discovery pool this fall, and trials will commence from there. In multidistrict litigation, pretrial processes are completed as one, and then cases may be sent back to the courts from which they originated.

Plaintiffs are filing suit on behalf of themselves or a family member who has experienced one of many severe Chantix side effects, including suicide attempts and suicide ideation, episodes of rage, heart problems, aggressive behavior, and heart attacks. The cases center around the assertion that Pfizer did not adequately warn patients of the potential for many of these serious side effects. In addition, there is concern over the way Chantix was tested. Subjects with a history of mental illness were not included in Chantix clinical trials, despite the fact that statistically people with a history of mental illness or mental problems are much more likely to smoke. In addition, people with such a history are the ones most likely to be affected by Chantix psychological side effects.

Chantix Suicide Numbers Increase as More Information Discovered

The smoking cessation drug Chantix has been linked to a number of serious psychological side effects. These possible Chantix side effects include aggression, rage, mood swings, depression, and suicidal thoughts not characteristic of a patient’s thoughts and behavior before taking the medication. Despite this, Chantix continues to be one of the most popular smoking cessation products on the market today. Pfizer, the manufacturer of Chantix, is coming under fire both for its clinical trial accuracy and the fact that they appear to have been hiding information about Chantix from the food and Drug Administration.

Initially, there were 122 reports of Chantix suicide reported by Pfizer. It has come to light, however, that about 150 cases of Chantix-related suicide or suicide of those taking Chantix were known, but not reported to the Food and Drug Administration. Combined, almost 300 cases of Chantix suicide have been reported. This means that the danger associated with Chantix-related suicide is more than twice what was originally thought – and spells trouble for Pfizer, especially as they are now faced with victims filing many a Chantix lawsuit.

Chantix heart attack is another side effect that is especially worrisome to patients and legal experts. Heart attacks are one of the most deadly conditions today, and Chantix seems to put patients at greater risk of suffering one. Is it possible that Chantix heart attacks, like Chantix suicides, have been seriously

Heart Attacks And Suicide Lead To Chantix Lawsuits

In January of this year, David Collins killed himself with a shotgun just three months after he began taking Chantix (varenicline) a smoking cessation drug made by Pfizer. Linda Collins who is David Collins widow has filed a lawsuit in Indianapolis against Pfizer over Chantix side effects and its possible failure to provide warnings to users. Mr. Collins had no prior history of mental illness, but before his suicide Mr. Collins exhibited aggression and strange behavior. Lawsuits allege that Pfizer was negligent because it manufactured and marketed an unsafe drug. The FDA approved Chantix in May 2006. By the end of 2006, Chantix was listed among a group of 35 drugs that received more than 100 serious injury reports per calendar quarter. By mid-2007, Chantix ranked third among all drugs in reported problems.

In the last quarter of 2007, Chantix users reported 988 adverse events, more than any other marketed drug. Lawsuits assert that Pfizer should be held strictly liable for manufacturing and marketing this unsafe drug. Drug manufacturers must perform clinical tests before drugs are marketed. The manufacturer must ensure that the drugs are safe and effective. Chantix lawsuits claim that Pfizer did not perform enough clinical trials before it marketed Chantix. Pfizer failed to conduct Chantix studies using individuals with psychiatric histories or current psychiatric symptoms. Lawsuits allege that if sufficient pre-market testing was performed, Pfizer may have determined that Chantix depression and suicide had a link.

Last month, the FDA warned that, in addition to the risk of increased aggressive behavior, some users of the stop-smoking drug Chantix may face an increased risk of heart attacks and other heart problems. Chantix has already been linked to an increased risk of a number of potential health problems. The FDA issued the warning after reviewing data from a clinical trial involving 700 smokers, half of whom were given Chantix instead of a placebo to help them quit smoking. Researchers found that 2% of the users of Chantix suffered a heart attack within a year, twice as many as smokers given a placebo, among the other heart problems.

Chantix Suicide: A Dramatic Side Effect

Chantix side effects of the popular smoking cessation drug have been widely publicized, as shockwaves are sent through the pharmaceutical industry and the drug’s large patient base. Chantix, which was rushed through the Food and Drug Administration’s approval process because of its apparent effectiveness and usefulness in a society where smoking is prevalent and quitting is difficult, was a drug that many patients trusted – and one of the most important factors many smokers consider when deciding to quit is health. So it comes as a staggering blow that, while Chantix may be helping some smokers, it has taken away from others the one thing it promises to give – their health.

Chantix Depression Linked to Pre-Existing Problems

Chantix, a successful smoking-cessation drug, has recently been linked to an array of psychological side effects including mood swings, rage, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Some patients of the drug have attempted or actually gone through with committing suicide, leading their relatives and loved ones to file a wrongful death Chantix lawsuit. Evidence suggests that patients with a history of mental illness who take Chantix are more likely to experience adverse psychological side effects of the medication.

Chantix interferes with nicotine pathways in the brain, which are also connected to dopamine pathways. Mood regulation is essentially controlled by dopamine, and the connection between Chantix and dopamine can have an impact on a patient’s mood. Patients who already have depression or have a history of depression are more likely to experience Chantix mood changes. However, patients may also have undiagnosed depression – which could prevent a patient from using the drug completely safely.
More than 1,200 lawsuits related to Chantix are already in various stages of litigation, and most of them revolve around psychological Chantix side effects. Most plaintiffs were not warned or were not properly informed of the risks associated with Chantix, namely that the drug could exacerbate pre-existing psychological problems.

Not unlike clinical depression, symptoms of Chantix depression include feelings of sadness or emptiness, insomnia, inability to concentrate, fatigue, suicidal thoughts, and other symptoms. These can begin developing just days after a patient begins taking Chantix, and it is important that a patient speak to his or her physician as soon as the symptoms are first experienced.

One of the major flaws in Chantix’s marketing was the fact that, during clinical trials for the drug before it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration and made available on the pharmaceuticals market, smokers with a history of mental illness were not included in studies. This oversight is especially glaring because of the vast number of people suffering from psychological disorders who are also smokers. Chantix is especially damaging to these people, but can also have an impact on the mental health of those who are otherwise perfectly healthy. Those suffering from the adverse effects of Chantix are advised to consult with an experienced Chantix lawyer immediately.

Heart Disease Added to List of Chantix Side Effects by FDA

The popular smoking cessation drug Chantix may dramatically increase the risk of serious heart problems, according to a medical study led by a Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine researcher. The findings of the study, released Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, describe a 72 percent greater risk of “serious adverse cardiovascular events,” such as heart attacks, for users of Chantix. However, the New York Times reported Monday that the study differed from past ones, because it excluded those with cardiovascular disease, to give a better picture of which heart problems the drug could cause in otherwise healthy people trying to quit smoking. In a statement posted on its website, Pfizer expressed concerns about the reliability of the study, including the way the data was analyzed. Individuals across the country are filing Chantix lawsuits to ensure proper representation.

Pfizer Forced to Inform of Chantix Dangers

In July 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ordered Pfizer to include a warning on Chantix, to highlight the risk of serious mental health reactions and Chantix side effects, which include: changes in behavior, depressed mood, hostility and suicidal thoughts. Pfizer says the medication acts on sites in the brain affected by nicotine, helps ease withdrawal symptoms and blocks the effects of nicotine if a user resumes smoking. On June 16, the FDA issued a similar Chantix drug safety communication, warning that the smoking cessation drug might increase the risk of certain heart problems, including the risk of heart attack, among individuals who have cardiovascular disease. The warning came following the analysis of a study of 700 smokers that found those taking Chantix suffered twice the rate of heart attacks as those who did not.

Heart Attack Risk Kills Chantix Profits

In a statement released this week, Pfizer criticized the findings of a study published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, maintaining that current safety data involving more than 7,000 people has found no evidence of heart side effects for Chantix. The company suggests that the recent findings could be inaccurate due to the overall low number of heart events found in the study. Researchers mined a number of databases for double-blind, randomized controlled trials involving people who took Chantix and were later found to have suffered a cardiovascular event, including heart attacks. They found that side effects of Chantix may substantially increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular problems by 72% over smokers who did not take the drug.

Court Case to Move Forward in Chantix Wrongful Death Suit

Plaintiffs who have filed federal Chantix lawsuits claiming they were injured or killed while trying to kick their smoking habit by using the cessation drug Chantix will have their day in court in Alabama, a federal consolidation panel has ruled. Pfizer, the maker of Chantix, has been sued by and on behalf of users who say they have experienced suicidal behavior and thoughts and other serious side effects while taking the stop-smoking drug. Among the cases is one brought by relatives of Texas musician Carter Albrecht, who died on September 3, 2007.Albrecht, a well-known Dallas musician and member of Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians, was fatally shot by a neighbor after he started banging on the windows of the neighbor’s house in the middle of the night. Albrecht’s relatives blamed his unusual, aggressive behavior that night on Chantix.

Reports Show Chantix Can Lead to Self Harm and Harm to Others

Concerns over a potential increased risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems among some users of the smoking cessation drug Chantix has led federal regulators to require new warnings for smokers who are considering the prescription medication. For more than 2 1/2 years now, 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.

Chantix Shown to Have Consistent Link to Murder-Suicides

Chantix (varenicline) was approved in the United States by the FDA in 2006 as a prescription medication to help people quit smoking. The drug works by reducing the positive feelings that come from cigarettes, blocking the receptors in the brain commonly stimulated by nicotine. However, the impact of the drug on the brain has resulted in a number of reports from users who experienced sudden, unusually aggressive behavior, thoughts of self-harm and suicide. In June 2009, the FDA added a “black box” warning about the potential risk of problems with Chantix, indicating that some users have experienced changes in behavior, depression, suicidal thoughts and other serious Chantix side effects. Pfizer has also been required to conduct clinical trials providing more data on how often neuropsychiatric symptoms and suicide with Chantix occur and what conditions cause them.

Chantix Heart Problems Uncovered

The list of side effects associated with the smoking cessation drug Chantix seems to be growing every day, with the Food and Drug Administration’s recent announcement that there is an increased risk of heart attack in patients who take the drug in order to quit smoking. Other adverse cardiovascular effects have been noted as well, especially for those with cardiovascular disease. These side effects have been added to an extensive list, which includes diabetes, psychiatric problems, depression, suicide ideation, aggressive behavior, and Chantix blackouts.

Chantix Violence Leaves Patients Outraged

The serious side effects of Chantix have led to its removal from the list of drugs covered by health care in France – and the United States may not be far behind. Although still available in the country, it will no longer be covered by state sponsored health insurance. Chantix, which is sold as Champix in France, has been plaguing users there with the same psychological side effects that patients in the United States have been experiencing – rage, mood swings, depression, and suicide ideation, among others.

Chantix Lawyers Witness Increase in Lawsuits

It has been nearly two years since litigation related to the smoking cessation drug Chantix was consolidated in a federal court in Alabama, and cases continue to pour in from across the country from patients who have experienced some of the behavioral and psychological side effects of the drug that has been deemed “the most dangerous brand-name drug on the market”. The beginning of this year saw over a thousand Chantix lawsuits consolidated in the Chantix multidistrict litigation taking place in the Northern District of Alabama. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, which deals with cases such as this one, has yet to report the current number of Chantix cases that have been consolidated in this litigation.

Chantix Side Effects Lead To Upsetting Court Cases

According to the FDA, a potential cause for patients developing depression and suicidal thoughts while using nicotine cessation drugs may be the fact that Chantix and Zyban do not contain nicotine, which causes users of these two drugs to go through symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, including depression, irritability, restlessness, anxiety and insomnia. A pair of studies has linked to Chantix to disturbing behavior. One study found an association with serious acts of violence. Some of the serious side effects of Chantix include: physical abuse, physical assault and homicide. Another that was published in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy cited links to violent and aggressive thoughts and acts, and also identified some of the common characteristics among people using the pill and their subsequent behavior.

FDA Receiving New Information on Chantix Cases

It was recently reported that Pfizer failed to properly send hundreds of adverse event reports involving psychiatric problems with Chantix to the FDA for years, leading to an underestimation of the impact of Chantix side effects by the FDA. Included among the unreported problems were 150 Chantix-related suicides that date back to 2007. One of the most high profile cases of the severe effects that may be caused by Chantix is that of Carter Albrecht. Albrecht was a guitarist and keyboardist with the band Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians. He died September 3, 2007 after being shot in the head by a neighbor as he tried to kick in his door.

Chantix Side Effects Could Net Patients Settlements

The smoking cessation drug Chantix has been called by some experts the most dangerous brand-name drug on the market based on reports of side effects related to the medication including mood swings, blackouts, and depression. More than 1,200 Chantix lawsuits are currently consolidated in federal courts, and it is becoming more likely that drugmaker Pfizer will try to reach settlements with some of the plaintiffs in Chantix litigation. The multidistrict litigation case is taking place in Alabama, overseen by Judge Inge Prytz Johnson.

Chantix Side Effects: Patients Seek Legal Action

Chantix has been touted as one of the most effective, if not the most effective, smoking cessation medications on the market today. It tested brilliantly in clinical trials and was therefore rushed through the Food and Drug Administration’s screening process. It entered the market as a presumably safe, effective drug that was poised to help the millions of American smokers break from their unhealthy habit. Chantix works by combating both physical and psychological cravings, unlike many other smoking cessation aids, and is therefore effective for many patients.
Chantix side effects quickly began to manifest in patients, and took the form of serious psychological disturbances – rage, mood swings, aggressive behavior, depression, suicidal thoughts, and other mood and behavioral changes began to take shape in some Chantix patients. A few ended up hospitalized, while others died of successful suicide attempts. Patients who have experienced the serious consequences of Chantix side effects may now be wondering whether or not they will be able to file a Chantix lawsuit and, if so, what their chances are of winning a settlement.
Potential plaintiffs who have any questions in regards to Chantix litigation and filing a lawsuit of their own should first speak to an experienced Chantix lawyer, because each case is different and only an evaluation of a patient’s personal case by an expert can lead to a completely accurate assessment. However, there are a few things that are useful to know in any case.
Both the lawsuit viability and the settlement amount will depend on the nature and severity of a side effect. Plaintiffs who are filing wrongful death lawsuits on behalf of a family member who has committed suicide due to Chantix will most likely get the most valuable settlements. Documentation of the side effect, such as doctors’ notes, police or emergency records, and medical records will most likely need to be provided, as well as proof that the medication was being used in the intended way.
Settlements will be determined by past and future medical expenses related to the condition, wages lost, pain and suffering, et cetera. These will all be taken into consideration during a Chantix lawsuit.

Suicides and Violence Blamed on Chantix

Chantix was approved in the United States by the FDA in 2006, and treats nicotine addiction by reducing the positive feelings that come from cigarettes, blocking the receptors in the brain commonly stimulated by nicotine. However, the medication has been associated with an increased risk of neuropsychiatric injuries leading to behavioral changes, depression, aggression, agitation, hostility, rage, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and, in many cases, successful suicide. Approximately to 300 Chantix depression and suicides incidents have been reported to the FDA.

Violence prompts Chantix lawsuits

A number of Chantix users who have suffered the effects of aggressive behavior have filed Chantix lawsuits. Aggressive behavior as a result of Chantix use ranges from mood swings to irrational violence, suicidal ideation, and even suicide.
Given the frequency and nature of Chantix side effects it isn’t surprising that experts concerned with public safety have questioned the appropriateness of prescribing Chantix to people who carry weapons in their line of work. The problems presented by Chantix side effects, i.e. aggressive behavior, illogical hostility, violent outbursts, and suicidal tendencies are even more dangerous when the individual being affected carries a weapon as a requirement of their profession. Experts recommended that individuals prescribing Chantix take into consideration the negative effects of the drug.

Chantix Lawsuit Over Safety Concerns

Chantix lawsuits have been consolidated in the Northern District of Alabama after side effects became apparent in numerous patients who had taken the popular smoking cessation aid. Many plaintiffs are taking issue with the fact that initial clinical trials seemed to prove that the drug was safe and posed limited risk of side effects – however, the clinical trials failed to include individuals with a history of mental health issues or psychiatric problems, many of whom are smokers and would therefore be likely to use Chantix.

Chantix Side Effects Stem From Flawed Clinical Testing

Chantix is now well known to cause serious psychological side effects in patients, including increased rates of depression, rage, and suicidal thoughts. It was introduced to the United States pharmaceuticals market in 2006 after early clinical trials showed high effectiveness and a low rate of side effects. However, soon after its introduction, patients began complaining of the severe Chantix side effects is now known for.

Chantix Lawsuits Have Time Limit

For those wishing to file a lawsuit related to side effects experienced because of the smoking cessation drug Chantix, time may be running out. All civil lawsuits, regardless of whether they are filed in a state court or federal court, are subject to a statue of limitations law which limits the amount of time plaintiffs have to file suit against a defendant. Most statues of limitations are between six months and three years after the discovery of a wrongdoing – meaning, in this case, the manifestation of Chantix side effects.

Weapon Carrying Workers and Chantix Prescriptions

In a recent edition of Annals of Pharmacotherapy there was a Chantix report published. One of the co-authors of the report was Thomas J. Moore. In the report Thomas J. Moore indicated that potentially dangerous side effects of the popular stop smoking drug, Chantix, give just cause for restrictions that would exclude various weapon carrying workers (police, military, etc.) from taking the drug.

As a senior scientist for drug safety and policy at the Institute for Safe Medication Practices in Horsham, PA, Thomas J. Moore worked alongside several colleagues to conduct the Chantix study due to safety concerns related to the popular drug used to “quit smoking.” Conclusive recommendations were offered with the intention of preventing violence as Chantix aggressive behavior that erupts amongst weapon carrying workers could have much more harmful consequences than in other cases. The report indicated that the scientists feared the Chantix side effects may cause the usually protective instincts of the weapon carrying workers to be overwhelmed by aggressive behavior (for which Chantix is quickly becoming known) and cause them to harm those they would normally devote their time to protecting.

The first reports of Chantix aggressive behavior and other related side effects were reported in 2008.
Chantix side effects and related adverse events include:

• Mood changes
• Abrupt change in personality or behavior
• Aggressive and/or dangerous behavior
• Hostility
• Suicidal behavior
• Serious, sometimes fatal, skin reactions
• Depression
• Suicide ideation
• Attempted suicide
• Suicide

Chantix aggressive behavior has been known to lead to:

• General Assault
• Homicidal thoughts and/or actions
• General aggressions
• Violence
• Uncharacteristic and inappropriate behavior; often presenting abruptly with little to no warning

The Chantix aggressive behavior and other side effects will generally begin to make themselves known within 2 days of the start of Chantix treatment. In some cases the symptoms of aggressive behavior and other, related side effects will stop along with Chantix use. But in other cases, the symptoms of Chantix side effects persist after treatment had been completed and/or stopped. It has been suggested that the adverse effects that are afflicting Chantix patients are due to the nicotine withdrawal rather than the drug itself. This is not an accurate assessment as in many cases the symptoms begin to present in the first few days of treatment during which time the patient is still smoking without restriction.

Why file a Chantix Lawsuit?

There are several reasons to file a Chantix lawsuit. First, the Chantix lawsuit is an appropriate response to the company’s failure to conduct appropriate studies of the drug prior to releasing it to the public for use. Appropriate studies would likely have offered at least indications of the potential side effects and the harm they could cause to Chantix patients. Second, a Chantix lawsuit is an appropriate response to the company’s failure to provide patients and potential patients with appropriate warnings regarding potential side effects once they were identified or even suspected.
Individuals who wish to determine their Chantix lawsuit eligibility should contact an experienced Chantix lawyer to discuss the specifics of their situation. The end result of a Chantix lawsuit will depend upon several factors including: the extreme nature of the side effects, financial consequences felt as a result of the side effects, permanence or temporary nature of the side effects, injury caused by side effects, etc.

Chantix Statue of Limitations: Time is Running Out

Potential plaintiffs in the Chantix lawsuits should consult their lawyers as soon as possible in order to avoid exclusion from litigation due to the statue of limitations in their state. Many plaintiffs will not be able to file a lawsuit after June of 2011, the two-year anniversary of the popular smoking cessation drug’s mandated black box warning by the Food and Drug Administration. This warning advises patients of the risk of psychological side effects, such as rage, increased aggression, depression, and suicide ideation. Many attorneys say that this warning is still insufficient, as the drug is still on the market and is still putting people at risk.
Statues of limitations are usually between two and four years, and the statue of limitations in Alabama – the state in which the Chantix multidistrict litigation lawsuit is being consolidated – is two years. However, in some cases, the statue of limitations can be extended by a judge, such as if a patient was led to believe by a medical professional that his or her side effects stemmed from something other than the medication. For this reason, it is especially important that potential plaintiffs consult a Chantix lawyer about whether or not they have a case, even if their side effects manifested when the drug was first released.
In almost all cases, the sooner it is filed the more likely it is to be valid, so those who think they may have a Chantix lawsuit should not delay in consulting their attorney. Pretrial proceedings are already taking place in Alabama, and while the first Chantix trial is not scheduled to begin until 2012, the window of opportunity for filing a lawsuit is closing. It is estimated that more than 2,000 Chantix lawsuits will be included in the multidistrict litigation case by the time the first trials get underway.

Zyban vs. Chantix Do They Really Compare?

Chantix is one of dozens of smoking cessation aids currently available in the United States. However, it is one of only two non-nicotine prescription drugs approved to help people quit smoking. The other is Zyban. Zyban is the brand name of the drug bupropion, which is also the active ingredient in the popular antidepressant Wellbutrin. The drug was approved as an antidepressant in 1985 and as a smoking cessation aid in 1997. Varenicline is the drug marketed as Chantix and was approved by the FDA in 2006 for marketing in the US. It is a name brand drug manufactured by Pfizer, Inc.
Both Chantix and Zyban help people quit smoking by interfering with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain. While the mechanism through which Zyban works is quite different than that of Chantix, both drugs dampen cigarette cravings and shift the balance of dopamine in the brain.

Chantix Lawsuits: Should You File?

Eligibility for filing a Chantix lawsuit is not as complicated as some may believe. Basic eligibility is determined simply by being one of the many individuals who took Chantix (a smoking cessation drug made by Pfizer) and as a result experienced any of a number of different Chantix side effects.
The side effects that are commonly associated with Chantix vary greatly but include: depression and suicide ideation and sudden aggressive behavior. In addition to the many psychiatric side effects associated with Chantix the following physical side effects have been known to occur: blackouts, diabetes, etc.
Chantix side effects occurring as a result of an individual’s smoking cessation treatment are a simple enough reason to seek counsel from an experienced Chantix lawyer. In this way potential plaintiffs are able to not only determine their eligibility, but to get a thorough case evaluation and discuss the potential for eventual injury/damage compensation.

Chantix Multidistrict Litigation

Throughout the United States over 1,000 Chantix lawsuits have been filed. Federal lawsuits have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) and assigned to an Alabama court.
Many find themselves confused about the difference between multidistrict litigation and a class action. The main differences are that in multidistrict litigation the cases are consolidated for pretrial processes, but are returned to the courts where the suits were originally filed if a settlement cannot be reached. At any point during the course of pretrial workings, the defendant is welcome to settle with the plaintiffs.
Chantix multidistrict litigation cases should begin going to trial in 2012.

Chantix Lawsuits: Common Allegations

In certain cases there may be increased risks for experiencing Chantix side effects. These cases include individuals that have certain pre-existing conditions: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, etc. Those that have these and similar pre-existing conditions and were still prescribed Chantix treatment may have a stronger case against the drug manufacturer due to Pfizer’s admission that they failed to conduct testing on individuals with pre-existing mental conditions prior to releasing the drug on the market.
It is important to note that the drug was never tested with patients with any type of previous mental health issue, but that it was immediately prescribed to many that fall into this category.
Individuals who have lost loved ones due to the effects of Chantix may be able to file a lawsuit on behalf of their deceased loved one. Take for instance the death of Carter Albrecht. Carter was 34 years old. He was a keyboardist for Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians. He was shot dead by a neighbor in 2007 while he was in the midst of what his family alleges was a Chantix exacerbated mental breakdown resulting in sudden, wild and aggressive behavior.
It doesn’t matter if you are thinking of filing a Chantix lawsuit on your own behalf or behalf of a loved one. Either way, consulting a professional Chantix lawyer is the most efficient step towards getting a thorough case evaluation. This type of legal advice will get potential plaintiffs on the road towards reaching a resolution in the most expedient way possible.

Chantix Lawsuits Rise as Diabetes Cases are Diagnosed

Although the psychological side effects of smoking cessation drug Chantix, such as increased aggression and depression with suicidal thoughts, have been widely publicized, another lesser-known side effect has been cause for concern – Chantix-related diabetes has been reported in hundreds of users, and these cases may soon become part of the thousands of lawsuits pouring in around the United States.
A 2008 study from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices determined that the Food and Drug Administration had received 544 complaints related to Chantix-fueled diabetes cases between May of 2006 and December of 2007. This alone would be a staggering number – especially for a side effect not listed on the drug’s label – if it weren’t for the fact that only a small number of side effects experienced by patients end up being reported to the Food and Drug Administration. This means that the actual number of Chantix-related diabetes cases could be even higher, a scary thought – diabetes is a chronic illness, and one that causes many complications in a patient’s day-to-day life.
Medical experts do not yet know whether Chantix diabetes is caused by Chantix itself or by the actual act of quitting smoking – however, more and more evidence is pointing towards the drug, and more and more lawsuits are being filed in order to gain some form of compensation for the problems caused by health issues related to Chantix. Chantix works by mimicking the effects of nicotine on the brain, causing a release of dopamine in the nervous system – and the fluctuation on the amount of dopamine in the system, doctors believe, could lead to a loss of glycemic control, or diabetes.
Diabetes symptoms include weight loss or weight gain, elevated blood glucose, frequent urination, hunger, and thirst. Chantix-related diabetes can be permanent, and will often, unfortunately, lead to complications that can result in death.

Chantix Side Effects Weaken Domestic Sales

Sales of stop smoking drug Chantix are falling fast in the U.S., due to reports of severe negative side effects linked to the medicine. Overseas, however, Chantix sales are booming.
In 2010, medical journal PloS ONE published a study that showed Chantix has been linked to more acts of violence than any other prescription medicine available today. It has been shown to result in violent side effects, including aggressive behavior completely out of proportion, assault without provocation, and even suicide. These violent acts were found to be twice as common among Chantix users as among users of the number two drug with violent side effects, the antidepressant Paxil.

Chantix in Japan

There have been dozens of deaths linked to Chantix side effects, and there are at least 1,200 Chantix lawsuits currently undergoing processing in the U.S. court system. But despite the widely reported and sometimes fatal violent Chantix side effects, the FDA has yet to recall the drug. Meanwhile, Chantix is flying off the shelves in Japan.
The New York Times recently reported that Japanese Chantix sales were sparked by an October 2010 tax hike on cigarettes in Japan. Japan has a reputation as one of the “smokiest” countries on the planet, and recent events seem to strengthen this perception. Such great numbers of Japanese smokers sought prescriptions for Chantix that the medicine at one point was completely sold out throughout the nation.
Now Pfizer, the drugmaker, is busy producing more “Champix” (as it is named in Japan) to meet this overseas demand. This surge in sales may to some extent make up for the dismal domestic Chantix sales.

Black Box Warning Sees Chantix Sales Slip

Sales of Chantix plummeted 36 percent between the fourth quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009, in large part because of a new “black box” warning label that alerted consumers to the risk of violent Chantix side effects such as unprovoked aggressive acts and thoughts of suicide. As stated in the Times article, Chantix sales in the U.S. fell another 16.8 percent during the first three quarters of 2010.
In late 2008 an announcement was made that sparked this precipitous fall in sales. The news was that Chantix had become the most dangerous brand name pharmaceutical in the United States. ISMP, a non-profit consumer healthcare watchdog organization, conducted a report in 2008 that showed the FDA had received more reports of Chantix injuries than reports from all of the top ten best-selling brand name pharmaceuticals combined.
It is clear that Chantix is dangerous, as the great numbers of Chantix deaths and Chantix lawsuits attest. It is also clear that Japan has quite a smoking problem. The Times article stated that 36.6 percent of Japanese men are currently smokers, which is much higher than the 24 percent of U.S. men who smoke cigarettes. Each year in Japan there are 130,000 deaths from tobacco-related illnesses.
Whether these tobacco-related deaths in Japan will rise or fall after this massive Chantix consumption remains to be seen. People are also wondering whether Japan will experience a sudden rise in violent Chantix side effects, and whether Japanese Chantix deaths will be included in the latest statistics for the drug. Japan already has one of the highest suicide rates on the globe, and it is not yet known whether Chantix side effects will push this rate yet higher.

Chantix Side Effects Endanger Drivers

Chantix, a drug that was supposed to help many people by reducing their cigarette cravings and helping them quit the dangerous habit, has been called by experts the most dangerous brand-name drug on the market today – and for good reason. Chantix side effects, publicized in recent months, include serious psychological problems such as depression and suicidal thoughts, psychosis, and increased aggression. Chantix is so dangerous, in fact, that the Food and Drug Administration has required Chantix to carry a black box warning on their packaging, warning potential consumers of the close link to psychological side effects that can be serious.
However, the black box warning says nothing about the fact that Chantix can cause blackouts and other disturbances in nervous function, such as experiences similar to temporary blindness as well as other vision disturbances. This has led to a ban on the drug in sensitive environments, such as in airplane cockpits and air traffic control towers. The Department of Transportation has limited the use of the drug by truckers, and the Department of Defense has banned its use among many of its members who work with aircraft and missiles. Sudden blackouts in these situations can, obviously, be extremely dangerous – but they are dangerous for the public, too. In a year-and-a-half period, Chantix was linked to 28 road traffic accidents and 77 falls, along with 148 reports of “vision disturbances”.
Chantix, also known by the scientific name varenicline, works by temporarily increasing the dopamine released into the brain, dampening cravings for cigarettes and allowing the user to feel satisfied without having smoked. But the rollercoaster-like levels of dopamine in a patient’s brain can skew normal vital nervous functions, causing these blackouts and vision interruptions. These can be dangerous and scary for anyone doing everyday activities, such as walking down stairs or driving a car.

Chantix Multidistrict Litigation Prepared to Get Underway

Chantix, the smoking-cessation aid manufactured by Pfizer, has recently been at the centre of thousands of lawsuits from patients who have experienced some of the adverse side effects of the drug. Psychological side effects, such as depression, suicide ideation, behavioral changes, aggression, agitation, suicide attempts, and hostility have been reported in patients, especially those with a history of psychological problems. Physical side effects, such as seizure, muscle disorders, diabetes, vision disturbances, and heart rhythm disturbances have also been reported.
The Multidistrict Litigation Judicial Panel recently identified the need to consolidate Chantix cases into a multidistrict case due to the common issues at the centre of the lawsuits. This will help streamline the judicial process and will get plaintiffs a payout from the company much sooner. In a multidistrict lawsuit, which is similar to a class action lawsuit, similar cases are consolidated and pretrial proceedings are all taken care of in one court. In the case of the Chantix lawsuit, the cases will all be dealt with by Judge Inge P. Johnson in the Northern District of Alabama. However, unlike a class action lawsuit, after the pretrial proceedings take place, the cases will likely be sent back to the district courts from which they originated and be processed through the legal system that way.
However, plaintiffs do not necessarily have to wait this long for their settlement. Although it is not yet known how much of a settlement Pfizer will have to pay to each plaintiff, based on similar cases as well as the large number of cases that have been filed against Pfizer a settlement will likely be offered to many patients before trial proceedings even start. In instances where this is not the case and no settlement is offered by the company, the first cases will most likely begin their trials sometime in 2012.

Chantix Suicide Risk Requires Stronger Warning

Two known and potentially deadly side effects of Chantix—Chantix depression and Chantix suicide—are many times not listed among the possible Chantix side effects named in the product’s pamphlet. These particular side effects are specified separately as possible “severe” side effects that mandate professional medical assistance if they are experienced. Yet many feel that this amended warning is still not strong enough to effectively alert users to the dangers these side effects represent. Even among users with no prior history of mental disorder or depression, severe Chantix depression and suicide can develop very quickly.

Chantix Suicide Identified Shortly After Debut

Pfizer, Inc. is the manufacturer of Chantix, a drug commonly prescribed to cigarette smokers to help them in their efforts to quit. The medicine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2006, but soon after there were reports of extremely adverse effects and events that resulted in the discovery of Chantix’s potential psychological side effects. These include serious conditions such as depression, thoughts of suicide, severe mood swings, and acts of aggression.
Yet Pfizer continues to insist that the drug is a boon to society in that it serves as an effective treatment for patients who need help quitting smoking. Chantix functions by blocking the brain’s receptors that are normally stimulated by nicotine consumption. This results in less pleasure derived from the act of smoking.

Chantix Lawsuits Claim Negligence by Drugmaker

The first report of a Chantix suicide came after the widow of a former Chantix user filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Pfizer in July 2008. Her husband, a man with no prior history of any mental illness, committed suicide after taking Chantix for a few short months. Many more Chantix suicide lawsuits were filed soon thereafter, resulting in multidistrict litigation for all such suits filed in a federal court.
These lawsuits make claims that Pfizer seriously misrepresented the true risks linked with Chantix use, and that this misrepresentation constitutes a reckless and criminally negligent act on the manufacturer’s part. The lawsuits further allege that Pfizer put consumer’s lives at risk by failing to conduct sufficient research on the drug, and by omitting adequate warning statements that both doctors and patients are entitled to.

Chantix Drug Trials and Inserts Flawed from Start

When drug trials were first conducted for Chantix, they excluded all individuals who had a past history of psychiatric troubles or a current psychiatric disorder. Therefore people with relatively commonplace problems such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia did not factor into the results of the trial. It has been estimated that around two out of every three smokers do in fact have past experience with or are currently suffering from some kind of psychological disorder related to mood, whether the symptoms be mild or severe. Since people with these types of disorders were not included in the trials, yet the intended consumers of the drug are likely to be made up of people with these same disorders, negligence on the part of the manufacturer is apparent.
Originally, the Chantix warning information mentioned several possible side effects ranging from suicidal thoughts to nausea. But the waning label has been altered several times since the drug was originally given the green light by the FDA in 2006. In the end the FDA made it mandatory for Pfizer to change the Chantix black box warning so that it included information specific to the drug’s possibly life threatening side effects. This is the strongest cautionary measure that can be applied to the warning label of any prescription drug.

Possible Diabetes Link Leads to Chantix Lawsuits

The psychological side effects of smoking cessation drug Chantix – depression, suicidal thoughts, increased aggression, mood swings, and homicidal thoughts – have been publicized widely after hundreds of patients have reported these side effects after being prescribed the drug, and many lawsuits seeking settlements for harm caused by these psychological issues are currently pending. There is another potential side effect, however, caused by Chantix that many people don’t seem to know about – Chantix diabetes.
Chantix, known generically as varenicline, was approved by the FDA in 2006, after it had been reviewed for six months. Normally, drugs must undergo a 10-month review by the Food and Drug Administration before they are approved or disapproved for distribution on the pharmaceuticals market. Chantix’s initial clinical trials seemed promising – the drug helped 23 users quit smoking for a year, which was more than twice as effective as the placebo others were given – and initially seemed safe, with no apparent indication of potential to aggravate or cause psychological or physical problems. However, this idea was very quickly overturned, with the Food and Drug Administration announcing in 2007 – only a year after the release of the drug – that there had been numerous reports of Chantix users experiencing severe psychological side effects as a result of the drug. In 2009, the Food and Drug Administration required that Pfizer place a “black box” warning on Chantix. A “black box” warning is the strongest warning an agency can impose on a drug, and emphasized the risk of causing psychological symptoms. And now, new evidence is showing that Chantix may be linked to physical side effects as well.
Chantix has been associated with loss of glycemic control and increased glucose levels. This link is still being monitored by legal and medical professionals, but Chantix could face liability if it is determined that they have under-reported the drug’s potential to cause diabetes.

Chantix Settlements Draw Nearer

Numerous plaintiffs have filed Chantix lawsuits against Pfizer, a multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical company and maker of the contentious anti-smoking medication. Now these plaintiffs are finally getting closer to a Chantix lawsuit settlement.

Consolidation of Chantix Lawsuits

In January 2011 it was decided that approximately 1,200 Chantix lawsuits are to be consolidated through multidistrict litigation (MDL) that will be under the control of U.S. District Court Judge Inge Johnson in Birmingham, AL. Lawyers monitoring the progress of these proceedings say that the number of Chantix lawsuits that were initiated in federal courts and subject to MDL consolidation may rise to more than 2,000 before the first lawsuits are returned for trial to the courts where they were first filed. Another possible outcome is that a Chantix lawsuit settlement will be reached with the defendant and a specific compensation amount will be announced.
An attorney in Birmingham has been appointed lead counsel for all of the plaintiffs who filed Chantix lawsuits in federal court. The lead counsel predicts that the earliest lawsuits are likely to reach trial sometime in 2012 unless a Chantix settlement is reached first. In such instances of MDL centralization it is common for the defendant to agree to a settlement with the plaintiffs before the cases go to trial, and so a Chantix settlement may be announced before the expected trial time arrives.
Nevertheless, it is equally likely that Judge Johnson will elect to send one or more of the earliest lawsuits to trial where they will function as “bellwether cases.” The results of these first few trials may persuade Pfizer to offer a settlement to the remaining plaintiffs, or the plaintiffs may be influenced to drop or continue pursuing their lawsuit claims. In the case of a settlement for these Chantix lawsuits, the total sum paid out by Pfizer may well total a billion totals or more.

Pfizer Defends Drug

The primary phases of multidistrict litigation are underway, yet there has been no sign from Pfizer that they are considering a Chantix settlement. In fact, in a statement released earlier this month, Pfizer insists that the company did nothing inappropriate while developing and marketing Chantix. The drug has been proven to cause certain psychological side effects that can include depression, suicide, and violently aggressive behavior. In addition, there are also several physical Chantix side effects that can manifest, such as diabetes, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and possible injuries stemming from a so-called “Chantix blackout.” Any of the aforementioned side effects have the potential to be severe enough to require hospitalization.
As stated by Pfizer: “Chantix is an effective treatment option for many smokers who want to quit, and we intend to defend this important medication.”

Comparing the Risk of Chantix side effects to Cigarette Smoking

Despite the numerous lawsuits, no one is arguing that Chantix doesn’t work as advertised. Multiple clinical trials confirmed that Chantix simulates the effect of nicotine on the human brain and helps people quit smoking. But studies have also determined that Chantix represents a significant psychiatric risk to users, whether they have a history of mental illness or not.
At this time Pfizer continues to fight the lawsuits, but before long it may become obvious that a Chantix lawsuit settlement will offer the best resolution for everyone involved.

Chantix Causes Violent Death for Musician

Carter Albrecht, keyboardist for the pop group Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians, began taking the smoking cessation aid Chantix in the summer of 2007 along with his girlfriend, Ryann Rathbone. After only a few days on the product, he became violent towards her – something that had never occurred before in their relationship. Rathbone eventually locked the violent Albrecht out of her house, when a neighbor saw him screaming and ranting on her back porch. Frightened, the neighbor fired a gun at Albrecht – intending for it to be a warning shot – but Albrecht was shot in the head and died.
Albrecht is not the only victim of the side effect of increased aggression associated with Chantix. Although it is one of the most effective smoking-cessation aids on the market today, it is also one of the most dangerous drugs on the market. A study by the scientific journal PloS ONE showed that varenicline, the active ingredient in Chantix, is more than twice as likely to be involved in a violent event than any other drug on the market – a startling statistic considering that over three million Americans have been prescribed the drug, and exact numbers are not known regarding the number who have experienced these aggressive Chantix side effects.
This side effect is unique because it does not only directly affect the person who is taking the medication but also the people around them. Chantix users have been known to show increased aggression towards strangers and loved ones alike, leading many users and family members of those affected by Chantix aggression to come forward with lawsuits in order to claim compensation for their struggles. Luckily, for 90 percent of Chantix users who experience aggressive behavior, the behavior stops when the drug is no longer being taken. However, as in the case of Carter Albrecht, it may be too late.

Pfizer Employee Files Lawsuit Against Pfizer over Chantix Side Effects

More than 1,200 people have filed Chantix lawsuits against pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer over its side effects that can be severe. Randall Sloan, one of these side effect victims, filed suit in an Alabama court in March of 2010 after he was prescribed Chantix in December 2007. A year and a half later, the Food and Drug Administration began to require that Chantix carry a “black box” warning, which is the highest warning it can administer, to warn the consumers about the potential side effects of the drug. The lawsuit claimed that Sloan suffered from “anxiety, depression, aggression, mania, psychosis, erratic behavior, and hospitalization on or about March 2008.”
Hundreds of other Chantix users have made similar claims in their lawsuits, which have been consolidated through multidistrict litigation, a process that combines similar lawsuits into one that is more streamlined and passes through the judicial system more efficiently. It is similar to a class action lawsuit. US District Judge Inge Prytz Johnson is overseeing this lawsuit in the Northern District of Alabama.
Although the first lawsuit will not take place until 2012, many lawsuits have already been filed. Most claim that Pfizer neglected to test the drug on people with a history of people with psychological problems. This is especially an issue because there is a high rate of people with issues such as depression and anxiety who are also smokers. Sloan, who is a former Pfizer employee, says that Dr. Daniel Seidman, who is the director of Smoking Cessation Services at Columbia University, has said that “two out of three” smokers that he sees have a psychiatric or mood problem. Pfizer admits that they did not test people with symptoms of major psychological problems, but people with these problems were prescribed the drug anyway. Now, many of them are filing Chantix-related lawsuits.

Violence and Suicide? There’s a Chantix for That

Chantix is the popular drug that has been used by thousands of people to quit smoking. These same thousands of people have since found out that Chantix comes loaded with some seriously potent side effects. The most serious of these are the violent, aggressive, and suicidal actions that this drug brings out from its users.
The Food and Drug Administration has maintained that all drugs have side effects, and that they are allowed to stay available to the public as long as the benefits of the drugs outweigh the risks involved in taking them. Interestingly enough, for Chantix, the scales might have finally tipped.

Chantix Brings Out the Worst in People

In a new study titled “Prescription Drugs Associated with Reports of Violence Towards Others,” the Institute for Safe Medication Practices outlined a large list of dangerous drugs that have been shown to cause violent behavior.
Coming in at the number one spot was Chantix. This drug has been linked to aggression and suicide since the day it was released. By blocking the reward system of the body, and keeping dopamine from being released in the brain, Chantix helped people to quit smoking by keeping nicotine from being pleasurable. Unfortunately, blocking dopamine production also leads to suicidal thoughts and aggressive behavior.

Chantix Gets a Black Box Warning

In June of 2009, Chantix was outfitted with a black box warning detailing most of its more serious side effects. The warning stated that some users of the drug have experienced aggression, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Pfizer was also told to conduct clinical trials to show how often using Chantix would lead to abnormal behavior.
The research that was done found that Chantix violence was unprovoked and unexplainable. They also found that there are no precursors to Chantix violence. The aggressive and suicidal behavior usually came on quickly. The good news is that when the subjects stopped taking Chantix, they returned to normal.

The Relationship Between Chantix and Suicide

One shocking case involving Chantix is that of a 47 year old woman who assaulted and yelled at her daughters before taking her own life with a handgun. She had been on Chantix for a month. Another case is that of a man who choked his wife in a frenzied rage, and then hung himself. He was only on Chantix for 8 days.

Chantix Violence is Serious

Researchers who have been following the drug for a while say that Chantix violence needs more attention in the media. Patients should be warned of the risk of having violent thoughts on Chantix. Any abnormal behavior while on the drug should be reported to your doctor right away.