Doctor Says Chantix Not as Safe as Study Suggests
By Andrea Gressman
Many people in America today are looking for a way to kick their nicotine addiction and when the drug Chantix was brought onto the market many people were very excited at the possibility of having an effective method to help them overcome their smoking habit. However, not too long after the release of Chantix, a number of users began to report some terrible side effects – the scariest possibly being those who had suicidal thoughts or who even tried to commit suicide due to the side effects Chantix brought about.
However, there has been a great deal of confusion added to the mix recently with a new study that reportedly said Chantix is actually safe to use – even for “depressed people.” On one hand, you read headline after headline announcing new Chantix lawsuits being filed on a weekly basis and on the other hand you read these headlines saying that it is perfectly safe to use. It can be very difficult to know exactly what the truth is in this situation.
In a November 2, 2012 article published on Health Revelations by Dr. Mark Stengler, he lays out why this new study is not accurate and does not prove that Chantix is safe in general or for those who already suffer from depression. Here are those reasons.
1.) Pfizer funded this new study. Therefore, it is important to realize this study was not completed by an independent party and Pfizer, after all, does have an invested interest in Chantix being considered “safe” to use.
2.) There were 525 people evaluated in the study. Some were given Chantix and some were given a placebo. Although reports have emphasized that the study was a “yearlong study,” in actuality, the treatment only lasted around 12 weeks. Then the 525 people were evaluated for a year. However, this does not accurately take into consideration those who take Chantix for longer than 12 weeks.
3.) As Dr. Mark Stengler pointed out, “over the course of the study period, there was no increase in suicide ‘scores.’ But that only means none of the patients showed an increased interest in attempting suicide.” He goes on to point out, “The problem here is that many of the reports of people who’ve killed themselves while taking this drug claim there have been no warning signs at all — so suicide scores wouldn’t have helped identify them anyway.”
4.) It is also important to note that the study excluded anyone that would be classified as “depressed” or showed any kind of sign of being suicidal. Dr. Mark Stengler went on to say, “[This] means they may have left out some of the very people who could face the highest risks of all. And yet they’ve still managed to claim the drug is safe for “depressed people.”
Dr. Mark Stengler’s advice: “So forget this study and look at the unbiased research on this drug — like the study last year that found people who took Chantix increased their risk of severe depression and suicide by 8 times. Another study even found that Chantix users are 18 times more likely to be involved in violence than people who take other meds.”
If you have taken Chantix and faced one of the many Chantix side effects including bizarre behavior depression, suicidal thoughts, violent thoughts, violence, heart attack, or attempted suicide please visit the Chantix Suicide, Heart Attack, Suicide Attempt & Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation page. A Chantix class action lawsuit attorney is ready to provide you with a free consultation and help you file your Chantix lawsuit.
Updated November 13th, 2012
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