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.