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.