I don’t think the issue is the public paying more attention to these reports as it is more the reality of people personally knowing someone that has been severely injured by this drug. Coupled with the fact that some doctors refuse to prescribe this drug due to the side effects, sales have dwindled. Chantix has had more reported side effects than the top selling drugs combined. These reports were not by accident. The injured and affected patients reported these side effects to their doctor or the FDA as a way of expressing their failing health due to this drug. When complaints were reinforced and confirmed by the ISMP, the drug was quickly banned for the FAA and DOT employees. Pfizer and their experts tried to quell these crises by responding that smokers have prior psychiatric issues and have a higher suicide rate with smoking cessation. How easy for Pfizer. Give a dopamine changing drug to people and tell them it is their fault for the side effects because they are smokers.

Anti-depressants are not without their problems and severe side effects. And, without a doubt, they are overprescribed. The differences between the two drugs are the way Pfizer and their experts promoted Chantix as a save all smokers from themselves drug. The truth is Chantix is an addictive, dopamine altering drug that has killed many and has left others with altered medical issues.

The Stanley Foundation (Fuller Torrey connection) hasn't given up on Chantix

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00523445?term=nicotinic+receptor+agonist&rank=6

The Effects of Varenicline (CHAMPIX) on Cognitive Function in Patients With Schizophrenia

Sponsors and Collaborators: Inje University
Stanley Medical Research Institute

Information provided by: Inje University
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00523445

The primary objective of this project is to examine the effects of varenicline treatment used concomitantly with antipsychotic medications, on cognitive dysfunction in people with schizophrenia. The secondary objective is to evaluate the effect of this combination therapy on smoking in people with schizophrenia. This study will be a randomized, double blind, parallel group, placebo controlled 8 weeks trial.

Official Title: Varenicline, an Alpha 4 Beta 2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Partial Agonist, on Cognitive Dysfunction in 120 Patients With Schizophrenia: a Randomized, Double Blind, 8 Weeks Trial

Varenicline has been found to be efficacious for smoking cessation in the general population and animal studies have demonstrated the cognitive benefits of this agent. However, no published work is available evaluating the cognitive effects in humans.

Thus, patients may experience improvements in cognitive function and in people who are smokers, these people may be able to achieve abstinence in smoking. This will in turn improve long-term functional outcomes and health outcomes in people with schizophrenia. This is an exciting opportunity for discovery if indeed cognitive abilities could be improved with this adjunctive treatment."

NO PUBLISHED work evaluating cognitive effects in humans, only in animals....wow.

Interesting marketing target: schizophrenics who smoke

The link between previous psychiatric problems and the more severe psychiatric side effect of Chantix is tenuous at best, according to this study: http://www.springerlink.com/content/77207452k3822r3v/

This study has been positioned in some quarters as a refutation of the reported side effects, even though it explicitly states that it is not, and even recommends that these side effects warrant further investigation. The bottom line, though, is that this particular study found no significant statistical difference in reported psychiatric side effects between individuals with a history of a depression and those without.

Pfizer Weighs Studying If Chantix Prevents Heart Attacks

"Prescriptions for the three-year-old drug have slowed due to publicity surrounding potential psychiatric side effects - first-quarter sales dropped 36% to $177 million. A study that demonstrates Chantix helps prevent heart attacks could mitigate the safety issues and revive sales, though there is the risk that a negative result would further damage sales.
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DUH....a negative result would further damage sales? as in ppl dying?!

From a personal perspective of being mentally incapacitated by the drug I think that it should have never been released in the first place. I think the studies that it helps people quit smoking is absolutely correct. I helped me better than anything, and had it not been for the terrible side effects that I would later discover after stopping the drug I would have been all for it. Now 2 years after stopping the drug, I now smoke, I now take antidepressants, anti anxiety meds, smart drugs and guess what nothing is really helping. Seems like I am fuct for life. I have a hard time focusing because I feel like I am disconnected from reality. I have seen neurologist, general doctors, and still seeing psychiatrist. No one has a clue what is going on with me and nothing is helping. Lawyers will not take my case because I didn't try to commit suicide or complete it, even though I considered it for 4 solid months on an everyday routine and now think about it atleast once a week. I'm just waiting for the day that I snap. This altered since of cognitive thinking isn't right for anyone and had I known how things would have turned out I would have never considered it. Hell I didn't find out about all the side effects until after I stopped taking the drug.

I was on Zoloft for 10 years before taking Chantix. I smoked 3 to 5 cigarettes per day and wanted to close this "chapter." 'm a 55 yr. old wife (35 yrs.), mom, na na of 6, love my job, and count my many blessings daily. 'm a good listener and try to find the positive in every situation.

Filled and completed two scripts of Chantix between Oct. 2006 - - Oct. 2007. Followed instructions to a T. It was true, it got to the point where smoking was no longer enjoyable. In fact, NOTHING was enjoyable. I was beyond exhausted and ran on empty for several months.

All I wanted to do was take a soft blankey and pillow and lock myself in a closet, while the rest of the world went on around me. Got to the point where I decided my job was done here. Wasn't sad, glad, mad,....nothing! Just done.

Two hospital stays in '08.

Jan. '08 - - taken by ambulance, middle of nite, severe chest pains, fever, stomach spasms, shortness of breath. Put on morphine, oxygen and antibiotics for a week, while undergoing major testing. Released/diagnosed - - possible virus.

May '08 - - took long drive to rural area, stopped along the way and purchased three bottles of sleeping pills and mini-diabetic razors. I never even knew those existed...til that nite. Parked on a used car parking lot, wrote short note, downed over 240 pills, apparently walked the lot as bloody razors were all over the lot and keys were found in front of car by police the next morning.

Woke up six days later in ICU, surrounded by family and clergy. Was on vent/respirator. Could not explain my actions. Spent time in psyche unit. Lost babysitting privileges. Ostracized by many and totally devastated and heartbroken.

Trust me. This drug sneaks up on you...puts you over the top then yanks the rug out from underneath...before you know what hit you...it is...a...nightmare.