Pfizer Adds Warning To Chantix

Bowing to reality, Pfizer today updated the label on its stop-smoking drug Chantix to reflect numerous reports of suicidal ideation, erratic behavior and depression associated with the drugs use. "Pfizer said Chantix users should be observed for 'serious neuropsychiatric symptoms, including changes in behavior, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior,' according to MarketWatch. A company exec noted:

"'A causal association hasn't been established based on the data,' Ponni Subbiah, vice president of medical affairs at Pfizer, said in an interview. 'However, in some cases, an association could not be excluded.'"

Sounds pretty causal to me. In addition the company notes on its Chantix website that patients should tell their doctor of any previous mental health history before taking the drug. It was apparent from patient reports that some of those experiencing problems with Chantix had previously had a mental health diagnosis of some kind and reacted badly to anti-depressant treatment in the past.