Cysticine is
being hailed as a new, cheaper alternative to Chantix as a drug to help smokers
kick the habit. However, the drug is actually chemically similar to Chantix,
which raises concerns that as more people begin using it, it may be found to
have negative side effects similar to those that have been attributed to
Chantix, such as Chantix suicide, mood swings, depression, and aggressive behavior –
side effects which have led to numerous Chantix side effects lawsuits.
Chantix is
manufactured by the Pfizer drug company. Pfizer is currently conducting a
large-scale study of Chantix side effects, but the results of that study will
not be available until 2017.
In nature, cysticine is found in the
seeds of the Laburnum anagyroides,
also called Golden Rain, a breed of small deciduous trees or bushes. Cysticine
is considered mildly toxic. Cysticine has actually been around for quite a long
time: it was first marketed in Bulgaria in 1964, and within five years was
being marketed in Eastern and Central Europe as well.
Cysticine does
seem to be at least somewhat effective in helping people quit smoking. The New
England Journal of Medicine published the results of a study which showed that
8.4 percent of study participants were able to quit smoking for a year vs. 2.4
percent of participants who were given a placebo. This success rate is similar
to that of Chantix. The study showed only minor side effects, such as dry
mouth, nausea, and upset stomach. However, the study used only a small sample;
questions remain as to what other, less common side effects might appear if a
larger number of people were taking cysticine. In the case of Chantix, the more
serious side effects showed up only after large numbers of people were using
the drug, which resulted in Chantix Psychological problems and other side effects lawsuits.
In addition,
cysticine is chemically similar to Chantix. Chantix (varenicline) is an analog
to cysticine: it was synthesized in the laboratory with the express goal of
being similar to cysticine, but with improved bioavailability. This raises
concerns that cysticine may cause the same type of side effects as Chantix,
leading to lawsuits similar to the Chantix side effects lawsuits.
