POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: John2038 on November 23, 2007, 07:25:45 pm
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Some patients have reported depressed mood, suicidal ideation, erratic behavior, and excessive drowsiness within days to weeks of starting treatment with the smoking cessation agent Chantix (varenicline), the FDA announced.
FDA Alert (http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#Chantix)
Wall Street Journal (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119559067483899527.html)
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Are chronic nightmares, dreams that continue in chapters from hour to hour, day to day & sleep-eating & cooking possibly defined as erratic behavior? No suicidal thoughts but plenty of bizarre shit ??? :o
Still, I've only got 2.5 weeks to go and have only smoked 3 cigarettes this entire month (when I was nervous before surgery and 2x after having one too many :-[
I'd be interested in know the results of any long-term studies or follow-ups if you can find a link.
Thanks!
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my friend on this medication says he has severe squirts and the most vivid bizarre nightmares. Everyone keeps pushing this medicine on me but I am not sure just yet.
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My doc didn't want to put me on it either saying he heard that it could cause hearing loss. His concern being that I am already hearing impaired. I was trying to google info about Chantix once and ended up on some message board where people were complaining about side effects such as mood swings. I would like to see more info about this as well.
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I guess I can only repeat what I posted at the beginning of November:
In the third week of taking Champix (Chantix) profound depression – including suicidal thinking – set in and my doctor told me to stop taking it.
Everyone is different so no two people will have EXACTLY the same experience with the same drug, especially one so new. I will say it did stomp out the cravings within a short period of time, and the longest I went smoke-free was eight days.
I am not giving up trying to quit tho.
Daniel
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I had absolutely no problems with it. Smoking a cigarette was the most distasteful thing I encountered while on it.
xxx,
Mike
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I just heard something about this on the news this morning. They still cannot positively relate suicidal ideation/depression to Chantix. This seems to be because, as with most addictions, when giving up nicotine addiction, an underlying depression can come through. There are just more things to consider. I've been on Chantix for about five or six months. The only thing I have is really bizarre dreams. I also have bizarre dreams from Sustiva and another medication I'm on. I also have clinical depression, but it's treated. So, I think while this may be a factor in the suicidal thinking, the jury is still out.
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You might want to try Zyban twice less efficient (http://dallas.injuryboard.com/defective-drugs/chantix-linked-to-depression-suicidal-thoughts-and-aggressive-behavior.php), but without all these side effects.
NOTES
(http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/vol296/issue1/images/medium/joc60081t3.gif) (http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/296/1/64)
OTHERS ARTICLES (LINKS)
1) Public Citizen put Chantix on its worst pill list (see article below) (http://cbs2chicago.com/health/chantix.side.effects.2.567122.html)
The company says Chantix has been studied in more than 5,000 patients, it is monitoring adverse event reports,
and more studies are underway with people with cardiovascular and lung disease.
But the watchdog group Public Citizen says testing didn't go far enough.
"It's only when tens of thousand or more people start the drug that you get a sense of the real frequency of
that effect of how serious it can be," said Public Citizen Health Research Group Director Dr. Peter Lurie.
Two months ago, Public Citizen put Chantix on its worst pill list
2) Up In Smoke? Pfizer’s Chantix & Suicidal Thoughts (http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/11/will-pfizers-chantix-go-up-in-smoke/)
[EDIT]: Added study image & link
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So nothing about hearing loss, huh? Not that I am not concerned about the other side effects but am just wondering. I will have to speak with my doctor again about this.
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I was smoking two packs a day then I took Chantix for three weeks and haven't smoked in almost a month now. :D And I hear its working for alot of people.
So far the only death related to Chantix was probably not due to this med at all; but the fact that the guy was 3x the legal limit drunk and was shot while trying to knock down his girlfriend's neighbor's door.
I experienced "vivid" dreams and a little nausea. Personally, if the FDA is going to be concerned about the mental effects of this med, I suggest they check into the issues with Sustiva first - that one gave me vivid "nightmares"!
Chantix itself is only prescribed for a limited amount of time, so I doubt there will ever be a report on any "long term" effects.
Have you tried Chantix John2038? Are did you quit smoking another way? Many of us have already been discussing Chantix through the past few months over on this thread http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=12940.0
Queen - I don't remember reading about hearing loss in any of the information I've seen about Chantix. However, if you google "chantix" and "hearing loss" you seem to get a lot of hits. Not because of the Chantix, but because the drug manufacter (pfizer) makes a different little blue pill (viagra) that IS causing hearing loss in a few MEN. Wonder if you're doc just wasn't paying enough attention to which drug caused which side effect? ???
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Have you tried Chantix John2038? Are did you quit smoking another way? Many of us have already been discussing Chantix through the past few months over on this thread http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=12940.0
Got my Chantix prescription since yesterday, but I haven't it pick up till now; was willing to read a bit about it first.
Some conclusions after my reading appears in this post; it has been published intentionally in its own thread in order to be visible as such information are quite important.
TESTIMONY (VIDEO) (http://cbs2chicago.com/video/?id=37252@wbbm.dayport.com)
Appears after the advertisement
There are a pro/cons about the Chantix.
Personally, I might a try to the Zyban first.
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You know, there are pros/cons to every medication. If taking Chantix for a short period of time causes me a few bad dreams vs. getting emphysema, lung cancer etc., being short of breath all the time, stinking, spending loads of money, I'm opting for the Chantix (which I am taking). Everyone has to make their own choice. I still can't help but wonder what these people's underlying psychiatric disorders might be. Who knows.
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You know, there are pros/cons to every medication. If taking Chantix for a short period of time causes me a few bad dreams vs. getting emphysema, lung cancer etc., being short of breath all the time, stinking, spending loads of money, I'm opting for the Chantix (which I am taking). Everyone has to make their own choice. I still can't help but wonder what these people's underlying psychiatric disorders might be. Who knows.
Maybe those are some of the reasons I've been so irritated by hearing this alert repeated so much lately, as I mentioned in the other Chantix thread.
With a limited timespan for taking Chantix, the adverse mental effects are noticed by only a small % of the users. Plus these effects are mild compared to mental effects a drug like Sustiva can produce, which is taken long term. Then you have to factor in people with weak will power (this is not a miracle cure, you still have to break yourself from the habit of smoking) who will jump on the first bad news or side effect to drop off the wagon and start smoking again. Mix in the psychological connection between smoking and an addictive personality and the baggage that goes along with that. Top it off with the fact that if the Chantix works, you'll still go through nicotine withdrawal (the med only dulls the craving, it doesn't cure you of smoking) which includes the very symptoms these people are blaming on the Chantix.
Nearly every HIV med I've taken has produced a negative side effect for me; but my doctor tells me to "push through", "deal with it", "stick to it a little longer" to get through the rashes, or nausea, or diarrhea or puking to see if the medicine will work. I took Sustiva for 9 months with horrible mental side effects before I quit it after falling down the stairs on morning. Taking Chantix for a few weeks and "suffering" some side effects - that very well could just be the effects of nicotine withdrawal - doesn't sound like too much to handle. I sure hope that people realize that, even without this pill, there are going to be side effects to not inhaling nicotine any longer. Even though the long term effect is better health, the short term effects include depression, mood disorders, nausea, weight gain or loss, etc.
I noticed the vid that John2038 linked to said that over 4 million people have taken Chantix, and those numbers of FDA complaints over the last few yrs total less than 5000. That means this FDA alert has gone out because less than 1% of the users have lodged complaints. (about .125%) They (meaning the mass media and government) always seem to want us to be terrorized by something (why here in Ohio the weather people were talking about a possible 1/4 inch of snow as if it was going to be a blizzard over Thanksgiving). To me this warning being issued, especially since these side effect are clearly listed in the drug information, just seems to be more of "them" trying to scare "us".
Although I don't believe in every conspiracy theory ;), I do have to wonder if there isn't a motive behind this alert though. You know if Chantix works too well, and too many people quit, there are going to be some big tobacco companies losing a lot of money, and an awful lot of state and federal programs that won't receive enough tax money. (that's why I told my congress people that I was against the SChip program recently. I have nothing against the idea of the program; but to base the income on another smoking tax, while trying to get the America public to quit smoking, just doesn't seem like the smart way to finance such an important program.)
Finally, don't we all take a chance every time we take a new med? Who knows which one might suddenly put you in the hospital with an allergic reaction? I always read up on every medicine my doctor prescribes long before he writes me the slip to take to the pharmacy. I try not to worry about the side effects (because ALL meds list some side effects) enough to cause them LOL; but I do know what they are, so I can immediately respond to the first signs of a negative reaction.
Of course, everyone is entitled to be as paranoid as they want about any medications, even to the point of NOT taking them. However, my partner, myself, and quite a few members here have taken Chantix and it's helped them to stop smoking. Some of these people were even able to quit taking the Chantix itself after a month without returning to smoking. My personal comment is that my dreams were pretty vivid for a few weeks (I actually dream a lot anyway, and remember many of them, so this didn't bother me; but I did "notice" it as a side effect); however they weren't anything at all like the horrible Sustiva nightmares/headaches/dopey feeling. I would personally recommend, to anyone that really wanted to stop smoking, to give Chantix a try.
best wishes and best health to you all,
mikie ;D
(I could also argue that this is another example of why pushing drugs through quickly is terrible, as there are no long term studies of side effects; but since I'm still alive today because some HIV meds have been pushed through quickly, I'll just leave that subject alone. ;) )
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Well done leatherman Mikie!
I wish I could get back on it again soon. I tried a month ago and though I didn't feel more depressed, I found it hard to fall asleep and had very vivid dreams (not nightmares, just strange ones). I talked to my doc and he advised me to stop for a while, the reason also being that I was only recently diagnosed with HIV.
Shaun
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I had the weird dreams when I took Chantix. Not nightmares, just odd stuff.
I took it for six months. No serious side effects, aside from the dreams and occasional nausea that seemed to get worse toward the end of the six months.
But I do know that after 34 years of smoking, I was able to pack off in seven days on Chantix. At the time I was smoking two packs a day.
That was January 27, 2007, and so far, so good. I stopped Chantix after dropping Sustiva and was able to stay smoke free without Chantix since then.
I don't know how they are going to do long-term studies on this drug since it is only a short-term medication.
HUGS,
Mark
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That means this FDA alert has gone out because less than 1% of the users have lodged complaints. (about .125%)
You know if Chantix works too well, and too many people quit, there are going to be some big tobacco companies losing a lot of money, and an awful lot of state and federal programs that won't receive enough tax money.
I try not to worry about the side effects (because ALL meds list some side effects) enough to cause them LOL; but I do know what they are, so I can immediately respond to the first signs of a negative reaction.
I would personally recommend, to anyone that really wanted to stop smoking, to give Chantix a try.
Good argumentation.
I'm gonna give it a try too :)
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Good argumentation.
I'm gonna give it a try too :)
Sorry, if I came on too strong LOL
I take a realistic approach to meds. All medicines work a little different in everybody because every BODY is a little different. I have to trust that my health care is in the best interests of science, the government and my doctor; Learn all I can about each med I'm prescribed (my #1 reason for having this site - to discuss the treatments!); Stay alert for negative reactions; Determine how much I can tolerate (is hooked up to a breathing tube too much? Is puking a dozen times a month too much? Is dry mouth a tolerable side effect? it's all relative to how sick you are ;)); and Think Happy Thoughts! (the happy thoughts will get you through a lot of bad times ;))
I'm going for labs this Thurs. and am really excited! Even though my doctor and I have been slightly worried about several viral "blips" over the last few months, when I get the results back in 2 weeks, it'll be based on blood after I haven't smoked for a month and have been regularly exercising for the last 2 months (20-30 miles a week on my bike)! Those numbers better be good - I've been working hard to be healthy! Maybe, if I'm not sick and puking from my meds that day, my tcells to finally bounce over 300 for a change. I don't expect it; but that's my Happy Thought about it. ;D
Best wishes to you and Hope you kick the habit soon!
mikie
ps by the way, how are you doing Betty? still hanging in there or is the algebra driving you to smoke still? ;)
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I tried chantix and wasn't sure if it was stress or what. On the 8'th day when you are to do the full dose, Louie ended up in the hospital for 4 blood transfusions and it felt like my heart was skipping a beat real badly. So I stayed on the minimum dose for over 1 month and managed to cut back on the smoking. It didn't help much that Louie smokes too. I stopped chantix for a few months and decided to try it again and this time I was VERY moody after a few days on it, was snapping at people for no reason.
So I'm going to try something else to stop smokiing again. The first time I did it I tried the patch (bad nightmares), gum (dizzy when I chewed it too long), zyban (bad reaction to it, sweats so bad I was soaking clothes) so I just quit cold turkey and stayed smoke free for almost 3 years.
After almost 7 years of smoking again, I'm ready to give them up for good this time!
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On the 8'th day when you are to do the full dose, Louie ended up in the hospital for 4 blood transfusions and it felt like my heart was skipping a beat real badly. So I stayed on the minimum dose for over 1 month and managed to cut back on the smoking
Ouch! I can sympathize with you there.
On day two of my first attempt to quit (several yrs ago), we had a house fire :o that did $45000 worth of damage and left us living in our friends' living room for a month. Oh, and our burned-out home was burglarized three days later of over $3000 worth of stuff that we hadn't been able to clean up or move out.
I tried to quit again a few yrs after that and two days later I had to have, not one, but two :'( :'( of my cocker spaniels put to sleep at the same time. The oldest one (14) was my very first cocker who had a severe stroke and the other was her daughter (11) who had a grand mal seizure.
Needless to say, I've always been a little leery of "trying to quit smoking". Even now a month into quitting, I sense the hurdle coming towards me again. I have 4 spaniels now who are the great grandchildren of that first one. The oldest of the ones I have now (she's 11.5 yrs old) will probably be passing away very soon from old age. I'm hoping I have the smoking thing licked enough to not fall back when that dreaded day comes up within the next week. :'(
After almost 7 years of smoking again, I'm ready to give them up for good this time!
Hey that's good to hear. ;D I read that it can take anywhere from 4 to 7 attempts to finally break the habit for good. Let's all hope this is that winning attempt for you!
It didn't help much that Louie smokes too.
Someone, in the house with you, smoking is always a big hurdle. I didn't even attempt to stop until I got my partner to agree to try to stop also. Although I've not had any cigs for a month, he's been "sneaking" two a day at work. He never smokes in the house anymore and that has helped me hold out.
You might want to try quitting at the same time, just be prepared to for a few rough times as y'all kick the habit. LOL
I stopped chantix for a few months and decided to try it again and this time I was VERY moody after a few days on it, was snapping at people for no reason.
So I'm going to try something else to stop smokiing again. The first time I did it I tried the patch (bad nightmares), gum (dizzy when I chewed it too long), zyban (bad reaction to it, sweats so bad I was soaking clothes) so I just quit cold turkey and stayed smoke free for almost 3 years
Like I mentioned earlier in this thread, Chantix does not cure you from smoking, nor does it save you from the effects of nicotine withdrawal. Some of the complaints you listed are possibly the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal that you would have had regardless of which method you used to quit. ;D ::) (By the way, an NIH report I read said that quitting cold turkey is the method used by 77% of all long-term successful quitters.)
Crossing my fingers and hoping that you can kick the habit for good this time!
mikie
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I used two boxes to quit smoking...or two months worth...its been over six months and I have no cravings to smoke and never had any bad dreams or upset stomach or anything else from taking Chantix...the only thing that I dont like is I went from 156 lbs to 180 up to this date.
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I'm still smoke-free. I don't allow anyone to smoke in my apartment or my car. The algebra is actually going a little better than it was when I first started it, Mikie. Thanks for asking. And there's only three weeks left of classes before the overdue winter break. I've been doing some yoga, as the deep breathing used with it helps with not wanting to smoke. Here's hoping being smoke-free continues to last for me and all who are doing it!
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The FDA has just issued an even stronger warning:
http://www.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUSN0145002720080201
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This is interesting, though I still think it may be related to an untreated depression and somehow Chantix aggravates it. I'd like to know the people's psych history. Oh, I am smoking again, btw. Ah well, it could be worse (much, much worse).
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There are not very many drugs that don't have an effect on people that have mental issues.
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I was on Champix (what they call it over here) when I split up with my long term partner in early November. I'd been on it a few weeks at that point, with no problems, other than really vivid dreams, which weren't really a problem at all as I was enjoying them.
After the split, I started having anxiety/panic attacks. I didn't relate it to the drug until one night when I forgot to take it - and I didn't have a panic attack that night. It was about a day or two later when the reports started being published. I stopped taking it. I'm going to restart sometime soon - hopefully now that I'm on a more even keel, it will be ok.
So yeah, I agree with Betty. I think it might exacerbate already existing problems, but doesn't necessarily cause the problem in the first place.
Ann
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When I went back to EU few weeks ago, I asked my ID doc to prescribe me the Champix (not available otherwise in the country where I'm working -but Zyban is).
My doc says: I cannot prescribe it to you if I cannot follow up you. Because of the side effects.
The doc asked me to stop smoking by my own.
I'm surprise. As says Ann
I forgot to take it - and I didn't have a panic attack that night
It might be possible to stop taking Champix if it has side effects.
That was my guess too, but not what my ID doc think.
:(
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My ID doctor gave me a prescription for 3 refills of Chantix, 3 refills for nausea medication and 3 for dizziness to go along with the Chantix. Then the Rx states don't fill unless you are ready to stop smoking. Well I haven't filled the prescriptions yet.
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The FDA has just issued an even stronger warning:
http://www.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUSN0145002720080201
It's about time. Thanks for posting this.
Daniel