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.


In late 2007, just a year after Chantix entered the market there were large amounts of adverse events reported to the FDA. Communications began between health care providers and the Agency to warning about serious potential reactions for patients taking Chantix. The early communication addressed possible suicidal thoughts, aggressive and erratic behavior and drowsiness. In early 2008 the FDA issued a Public Health Advisory about the safety concerns for those taking Chantix. A review showed there was a strong connection between the drug and an increased risk of serious symptoms such as changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts or behavior and suicide attempts as a result of Chantix.

In July 2009, the FDA required that both Zyban and Chantix carry a “black box” warning for suicidal thoughts, depression, hostility and other psychological side effects. So far many Chantix lawsuits have been filed against pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, Inc. with claims asserting liability for failure to warn. The basis is that Pfizer knew of the dangers associated with Chantix but fraudulently concealed this knowledge and misrepresented that the drug was safe by failing to warn of its dangers.