Patient Says She was Angrier While Using Chantix

Fayetteville, NCWith new stories surfacing daily about Chantix side effects, including suicide and aggression, it's no wonder that patients are concerned about using the smoking cessation aid. Sarah H. (real name withheld) says that Chantix made her angry and hostile, even though she had no history of aggression.

Sarah started taking Chantix in September of 2009. She stopped after only 30 days, but by that time her husband had already noticed a difference in her behavior.

Unfortunately, by the time Sarah stopped using Chantix, it was too late to save her job.

"The anger probably started within two weeks of starting Chantix," Sarah says. "I was doing things that I wouldn't have done before. I was getting mad at my assistant. Yes, she pushed my buttons, but I got angrier than what is normal for me to do. I wasn't yelling at her, but I did raise my voice and told her what she had to do. I told her I was the boss.

"I lost my job five weeks ago. According to my bosses it was because of verbal abuse, so it was linked to the situation with my assistant. I've never had a problem with anger before taking Chantix.

"I'm still smoking. The anger went away a week and a half after I stopped taking Chantix. I think if I had taken it for the second month, I would have been able to quit. But, because of the cost and because I didn't like what it was doing to me, I stopped taking it.

"I was angry with my assistant all the time and at home, I was a lot more frustrated with things than I would have been. My husband pointed it out to me—he says I was angrier at home than usual.

"I do believe that's why I lost my job; because of the Chantix.

"Honestly, I think Chantix works. I think if I had tried harder, or could have dealt with the anger, I could have quit smoking. But you have to be careful when you're taking it. You have to have people around you who are honest and can tell you what you're doing—if you're acting different."

Side effects linked to Chantix include suicidal thoughts, ideas and actions, erratic behavior and increased anger.