In this excerpt from a recent issue of our Health After 50 newsletter, a reader asks: My doctor has prescribed Chantix to help me quit smoking. Should I be concerned about side effects? Here’s what we know …
Varenicline (Chantix) helps curb nicotine cravings while weaning you off the drug. In the process, it acts on the central nervous system to stimulate the release of dopamine -- a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and emotions. Because of this increase in dopamine, experts are concerned some people may respond to Chantix in unpredictable ways. One potential side effect is suicidal thoughts or behavior.
Since Chantix was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006, the agency has received 37 reports of suicide and 116 reports of suicidal thoughts among people taking the drug. Consequently, the FDA required that Chantix’s label carry a black-box warning about potential psychiatric side effects. (The same warning was issued for the antidepressant bupropion [Wellbutrin], which is marketed as the drug Zyban for smoking cessation.)
That said, many people have taken Chantix, and relatively few have experienced these symptoms. In those who have, it’s still difficult to say for sure that Chantix is responsible. Smokers are more likely to be depressed in the first place, which can lead to suicidal thoughts.
The effects of nicotine withdrawal also may play a role. The risks of experiencing the potentially dangerous side effects of Chantix are small and probably don’t justify avoiding the drug, particularly if you’ve tried to quit smoking by other means and have failed.
To be on the safe side, before you start taking Chantix tell the people closest to you, such as your spouse or a friend, about the potential for suicidal thoughts and actions. That way, they can assist you in monitoring your response to Chantix.
If you experience any changes in behavior, including agitation, depressed mood, or suicidal thoughts, you should stop taking Chantix and call your doctor immediately.
