Pfizer has expanded its recall of smoking cessation medication Chantix (Varenicline) to include a total of 12 lots that may contain unsafe levels of a nitrosamine, N-nitroso-varenicline โ a carcinogen.ย ย
The most recent additions to the Chantix recall include lots ET1600, EA6080, and EC9843 with expiration dates of either 1/2023 or 3/2023. The recall affects Chantix sold at the consumer level, according to Mondayโs announcement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).ย ย
โFDA reminds patients taking recalled varenicline to continue taking their current medicine until their pharmacist provides a replacement or their doctor prescribes a different medication that treats the same condition,โ notes the agency in the updated Chantix recall notice. โThe health benefits of stopping smoking outweigh the cancer risk from the nitrosamine impurity in varenicline.โย
On June 24, Pfizer issued the first recall. The drug maker announced on June 24 that it had discovered levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine โ a known cancer-causing agent that is also known as NDMA โ that are above an โacceptableโ level of daily intake.ย
โPfizer places the utmost emphasis on patient safety and product quality at every step in the manufacturing and supply chain process. Pfizer has notified their direct consignees by letter to arrange for return of any recalled product,โ said the company in its first Chantix recall announcement.ย
Consumers who take Chantix can check the FDA website for a complete list of recalled lots. Pfizer says that it has instructed wholesalers and distributors to stop using and quarantine the recalled lots and is setting up a way for consumers to return the recalled Chantix.ย ย
This latest recall expansion is not the first time Chantix has been linked to adverse health effects. Since the drug was introduced, Chantix users have reported psychological side effects such as depression, aggression, homicidal tendencies, entertaining the thought of suicide, and even suicide attempts.ย
Pfizer has faced a number of lawsuits by Chantix users and their family members who say that the drug caused severe depression and even resulted in suicide. Others have alleged that the drug caused severe psychological side effects, including blackouts that landed one Chantix user in jail.ย ย
In 2009, the FDA placed a โblack boxโ warning label on Chantix informing users that recent data showed the smoking cessation drug can cause depression, suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide, aggression and anger.ย
Two years later, in June 2011, the FDA updated the Chantix side effects warning again to include heart attack and other severe cardiovascular events.ย
Top Class Actions will continue to monitor the Chantix recall and keep readers updated with any developments.ย ย
Have you used Chantix? Are you concerned about the recall? Tell us about it in the comment section below.
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33 thoughts onChantix Recall Expanded After Pfizer Discovers More Lots Tainted With Carcinogen
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After I was diagnosed with multiple lung nodules, I chose to take this drug. During the lung cancer investigation, taking this drug caused the blood CEA index to rise, which caused great harm to my mind and body.
Last year just about this time of year I got prescribed chantix about the second day felt like crap but I wanted to quit smoking bad. So I keep taking as per instructions. day 3 was bad I started to throwing up and it went all day so much I thought I was about to die my chest hurt so bad by the end of the day I was just praying to get through until morning. I had thrown up every thing I had ate for the last few days. I have had a few bad hang over days and got sick this was ten times worse. Well needless to say here it is year later still with a sore chest but I am not smoking.vit sure was a hell of a price to pay to quit smoking.
Chantix is the only drug I have ever taken & quit smoking. Iโve had a stressful year & started smoking again & went to my doctor to request new prescription in June 2021 but I need the continuation. I think it should be left up to the patient. Please do not completely discontinue permanently. Every person responds differently to medicines. I want to continue taking Chantix.
I took it an made me angry
I started chantix a month ago. I went to get it refilled and found out it has been recalled. I still have my box and it is one that has been recalled. Itโs lot ET1609. So far all I have experienced is really bad headaches.
Iโve been suffering bad side affects as well
My doctor give me Chantix I was wondering it i did the right thing
Whatโs even crazier is we have doctors still out here prescribing this trash to people with major depressive disorder, panic and anxiety disorders, PTSD, etc But never mentioned raining that it can make you some a Seidel homicidal or completely psychotic. I never wouldโve excepted it a prescription of this and I know the risks associated with it and the lot I was taking was recalled
To the people saying โADD MEโ you obviously have absolutely NO CLUE how things workโฆ you have to sign up YOURSELF!!!! YOU are responsible for taking care of this information and getting into the litigation YOURSELFโฆ sorry not sorryโฆ somebody had to say itโฆ
I took chantix end of 2009 and 2010 and had ovarian, cervical, uterine, and appendix cancer resulting in 3 surgeries, a hysterectomy, the termination of my twins in utero and 3 blood transfusions in 2011 . Do I qualify?