Chantix Attempted Suicide & Depression Claimed in Hundreds of Lawsuits
By Matt O’Donnell
When the FDA approved Chantix in May 2006 to help people stop smoking cigarettes, many people didn’t think twice about taking the drug. Only a few months after Chantix went on the market, however, reports started surfacing about users suffering from severe Chantix side effects such as depression, aggression and attempted suicide. Many of these patients had no history of psychological problems before taking Chantix, prompting the first Chantix suicide lawsuit to be filed in July 2008. Since then, hundreds of Chantix lawsuits have been filed against Pfizer for failing to warn the public about the risk of Chantix suicide and depression. The Link Between Chantix and Suicide, Suicidal Thoughts & Depression
The link between Chantix and psychological problems like depression and suicide has been well-documented.
The proliferation of reported Chantix side effects in users across the country prompted the FDA to issue a safety communication for the drug a little more than a year after it was approved. In the November 2007 communication, the FDA stated it was evaluating postmarketing reports of Chantix suicidal thoughts, and recommended that healthcare providers monitor patients taking Chantix for behavior and mood problems. Nearly a year later, in November 2008, the FDA required new safety warnings on the product label, stating in a press release: “It appears increasingly likely that there may be an association between Chantix and serious neuropsychiatric symptoms.” These symptoms include Chantix depression, behavioral changes, suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide.
Despite the FDA warnings, thousands of people across the country continued to take Chantix, many of them unaware of the warnings about Chantix side effects. In early 2008, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) claimed that Chantix, known generically as varenicline, accounted for more reports of serious injuries than the 10 best-selling brand name prescription drugs combined. According to the ISMP report, the FDA received over 1,000 reports of serious Chantix side effects, including 50 deaths, in the first quarter of 2008. In the previous quarter, the agency received 998 reports of Chantix self injury, with 78 Chantix deaths reported.
Not surprisingly, the first Chantix suicide lawsuit was filed soon after the report was released.
Chantix Side Effects Study Confirms Link to Depression & Suicidal Thoughts
A 2011 study published in the scientific journal PLoS One found 3,249 reports between 1998 and 2010 involving Chantix attempted suicide, suicide or depression — significantly more than the number of adverse event reports associated with other smoking-cessation drugs. The Chantix side effects study found that Chantix was eight times more likely to be linked with a reported case of suicidal behavior or depression than other nicotine replacement products. Researchers concluded the study by saying, “The findings for varenicline (Chantix), combined with other problems with its safety profile, render it unsuitable for first-line use in smoking cessation.”
Chantix Multidistrict Litigation (MDL)
The Chantix lawsuit MDL allows hundreds of Chantix suicide and Chantix depression victims to file lawsuits under the jurisdiction of one judge, but still allows each Chantix Plaintiff to retain his or her own attorney and receive an individual award if the case is won or settled. The award they would receive is typically much larger than any individual award expected in a Chantix suicide class action lawsuit. In a Chantix suicide class action lawsuit, hundreds of thousands of Chantix users are joined together. Once, or if, a Chantix class action settlement is reached, the class members would typically share the award, which could be in the range of thousands of dollars per claimant, rather than tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars in some cases for individual Chantix depression lawsuits.
On the other hand, if the MDL settles, everyone who joined the Chantix lawsuit MDL would receive any financial award individually, unlike in a class action lawsuit. The Chantix lawsuit MDL lawyers will determine exactly what each Plaintiff will receive depending on the injury suffered. This may mean that those who suffered more serious Chantix side effects such as suicide will receive more than those who suffered less serious complications, such as changes in behavior. The Chantix suicide law firms litigating the MDL will determine this as the case progresses.
Chantix Lawsuits List Severe Side Effects
Chantix has been linked to numerous severe side effects, many of which have been cited in the Chantix lawsuit MDL. Anyone who has taken Chantix needs to know the side effects so they can be caught and hopefully treated without further serious complications. Common Chantix side effects alleged in lawsuits include:
* suicide
* attempted suicide
* heart attack
* Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
* Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
* cardiovascular problems
If you ever experienced any of these serious Chantix side effects, you should see a doctor immediately for treatment. You should also speak with a Chantix lawsuit specialist to see if you are a good fit to file a Chantix class action lawsuit or an individual Chantix lawsuit. Family members who lost a loved one due to Chantix suicide or Chantix heart attack may opt to file a wrongful death lawsuit. It’s important to speak with a Chantix compensation consultant to see which course of action is best for you and if you may be able to claim compensation due to any injuries associated with Chantix side effects.
If you would like more information about filing a Chantix class action lawsuit or would like to file an individual Chantix lawsuit or join the Chantix MDL, just go to the Chantix Suicide, Heart Attack & Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Class Action Lawsuit Investigation page. You can submit your information, or your loved one’s, to Chantix attorneys who are actively investigating all claims regarding Chantix suicide, attempted suicide, Chantix heart attacks and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. Chantix attorneys are waiting to talk to you now and the consultation is free. These Chantix lawyers don’t get paid unless you win or settle.
Updated July 12th, 2012
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10 thoughts onChantix Attempted Suicide & Depression Claimed in Hundreds of Lawsuits
I would like to participate in a top Class Action or a Chantix Multidistrict Litigation lawsuit. Chantix nearly cost my daughter her life and her family. Now that she has abruptly stopped the Chantix the aggression and depression remain and she has stopped Chantix 2 weeks ago. The deep suicidal ideation, with intent and plan have not remained as of today, fingers crossed. This is a tragedy for her. She now suffers daily from the use of this medication she took to help her quit smoking.
I also took Chantix in 2017 3 months later was hospitalized for pericardia infusion and I was fine 3 months before that had chest x-rays and was fine. since this I have had to surgeries one for my heart called pericardia window where water will now drain from my heart and the 2nd was a hernia repair because my heart scar ruptured.
Who do I talk to about this I took this and ended up hospitalized and put in a lockdown rehab for a suicide attempt
Need to get in on the legal side here!
This drug drove me bat shit crazy. I became deranged in fits of rage against my family. Behaviors i have never exhibited before.
My husband took chantix and still to this day he gets depressed and is such a angry person his mind is not the same he is not the same person before he took this medication he was level headed. I feel chantix has made him depressed and violent. For years I have seen him change I tried to figure it out for years and it just dawn on me what it could be.his out bursts are getting worse I can be reached at [email protected]
Like the others I took Chantix back in 2008 and wanted to put a gun in my mouth .I did not know what was going on ,because I always have been a happy guy .the doctor put me on antidepressant until I figured out what was causing my problem.it took 2 years for it to get out of my system and to this day I still get real depressed at any given moment for no reason,and it has been over 10 years.
Ive been taking chantix for 2 weeks and suddenly had chest pain and ended up in hospital.
I too have taken chantix in 2007, I’ve been suffering greatly since then to the point where I now am on SSDI it has caused me to be hospitalized 8 separate times simce then, tried countless times to commit suicide I too agree chantix ruined my life I can no longer obtain and keep employment go to the doctor/therpist minimumly 2 times a week. Have been diagnosed with bipolar,c.p.t.s.d,add just to name a few I don’t recall all of my disorders if you could contact me at 4438660330 to discuss legal action we can take
I was prescribed Chantix in 2007, since that time I have very strong suicidal thoughts. I have seen three different doctor’s since taking Chantix. The doctor’s that I presented my symptoms too just kept giving me antidepressants. No one ever told me that it could be due to taking Chantix. I have now been diagnosed with PTSD, Bipolar I, Major Depressive Disorder. I need help, Chantix ruined my life. If your law office can’t help me , can you tell me where to go for help? 907-398-3576