Tuesday, October 25, 2011

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

Friday, October 21, 2011

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

Thursday, October 13, 2011

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.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

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.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

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.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

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

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

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