Chantix Side Effects a Global Problem

Seoul, South KoreaThe fact that Chantix suicide and Chantix side effects are an issue not just in the US but around the globe was brought home by the Korea Times recently, which took Pfizer to task over Champix (which is the name Pfizer has tagged to Chantix for foreign sales).

Champix has been available in Korea since 2007 and is described as "highly popular" by the Korea Times. However increasing reports of serious adverse reactions, including suicide, suicide ideation and aggression prompted the newspaper to pursue some answers from Pfizer Korea.

It didn't get them. Nor did it get a meeting. Instead, it got a statement from Pfizer Korea through spokeswoman Lee Eun-jeong. . "We have reported all side effects here to the Korea Food and Drug Administration," she told the newspaper. But then she allegedly refused to say what those side effects were.

Adverse events involving Chantix in the US have been well documented. According to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, a US-based not-for-profit public health advocate, 1,001 serious adverse reactions involving Chantix were reported in the first quarter of 2008 alone.

In the UK, there have been similar reports involving Champix. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) reported 10 actual suicides in 2008, among a total of 24 deaths attributable to Champix.

What's more 231 Champix users reported experiencing suicidal thoughts and 407 patients reported feelings of depression while taking Champix. According to the MHRA the number of reported adverse reactions to Champix nearly doubled, from 1,811 in February to 3,541 in September of last year.

Dr. Daniel Seidman, professor of Medical Psychology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons has been quoted in the media as saying, "when Chantix goes wrong, it can go terribly wrong." In a written interview with the Korea Times Dr. Seidman noted that 12-month results of taking varenicline were not superior to nicotine replacement therapy.

"It was my analysis of the original studies which excluded smokers with psychiatric, alcohol and many medical problems. So it was marketed to a group excluded from the FDA studies," he said.

In its clinical tests in Korea, Champix was shown to cause cases of nausea, insomnia and nightmares. Some users complained about depression, anxiety, change in attitude and suicidal impulses. In 2007, a man in his 60s took his own life after using the drug for a month, although the direct links between Champix use and the suicide have not been established.