Is Chantix the Next Class Action?
The Baltimore Sun reported last week that the FAA has banned pilots and air traffic controllers from using the quit-smoking drug Chantix following a study that found it had apparently contributed to auto accidents and other mishaps that posed risks to both users and others.
Chantix began as a success story, billed as a relatively risk free drug that helps you quit smoking in a far more civilized way than just quitting cold turkey. The “easier to quit smoking” part of the hype was as advertised: 44% of people taking Chantix were able to quit smoking in comparison to 17.7% percent of those taking placebos. Chantix is believed to block nicotine from stimulating the certain brain receptors, so nicotine would not give users the dopamine boost they receive when they smoke. Chantix also stimulates the release of low but consistent levels of dopamine to help decrease nicotine urge.
Correctly expecting the drug would be a real money maker ($883 million in 2007 alone), Pfizer had requested and received an accelerated review by the FDA and Chantix was approved in May of 2006. But it takes a while to see if serious side effect will emerge. Pfizer knows this as well as anyone from its experiences with Zoloft, a drug that was on the market for many years before reports of suicidal behavior (and lawyers filing lawsuits) forced Pfizer to put a warning on the drug.
Why doesn’t Pfizer just play it safe and put a suicide warning on the drug? As a lawyer who spent a number of years representing pharmaceutical companies, I certainly have a theory: warnings on the product label would have discouraged general practitioners from prescribing Chantix, which would have hurts sales. But in hindsight, not including a warning is going to cost Pfizer more in defending lawsuits and settling Chantix cases.
Our Chantix lawyers are investigating lawsuits on behalf of victims and their families who suffered a serious injury or death by suicide from the use of Chantix throughout the United States. If you or a loved one have experienced a severe side effect from Chantix, a Chantix lawyer at 1-800-553-6000 or click here for a free Internet consultation.
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Comments
chantix can also cause kidney failer. this was reported on T.V. under a class action law suit. I saw when I got out of the hospital with kidnay failure.
Posted by: Judy harris | October 13, 2008 4:38 AM
I didn’t have the suicidal tenancies others had. I was closer to the other side of wanting to do it to the other guy. I became a real loose cannon, embarassing myself time and again, but just not caring.
I took the drug for 6 months under doctor supervision. I did quit smoking during this time and 6 months more. Kidneys hurt from time to time, nothing major.
What I would like to convey is my cognative reasoning, especially math and memory have been affected. Its a real struggle to stay focused and am feeling a little hair-brained more so than not.
I wish I had never taken the drug. I stated smoking again just to feel as sane as I used to, but to no avail. Hopefully this will wear off some day and am keeping my fingers crossed and pushing it on.
... and yes, I think there should be some payment to the injured because of this drug.
Posted by: Steven York | October 30, 2008 11:15 PM
Chantex caused severe psychoses with me. I had to be hospitalized in a psychiatric unit for 2 months and I lost my children. I had to drop out of school, and it was like a bad drug trip. I can't believe they are still marketing this stuff. My advice is to stay far away from it, lest you end up like me. This drug should be recalled immediately!
Posted by: Anonymous | November 3, 2008 11:44 PM
Chantex worked wonderful for my husband, the ket to chantex is taking an a anxiety medication with it. Smokers are very anxious people. Dr to your Dr. about it. I have several friends that have quit on chantex.
Posted by: Anonymous | November 19, 2008 10:48 PM