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Pharmaceutical company Pfizer has halted distribution of Chantix after finding elevated levels of a carcinogen in some lots of the popular anti-smoking drug.
The drug maker announced Thursday, June 24, that it had discovered levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine — a known cancer-causing agent that is also known as NDMA — that are above an “acceptable” level of daily intake, and has begun running tests, Stat reported.
According to Reuters, Pfizer is recalling affected lots, and said the pause in distribution is out of an abundance of caution.
“The benefits of Chantix outweigh the very low potential risks, if any, posed by nitrosamine exposure from varenicline on top of other common sources over a lifetime,” Pfizer spokesperson Steven Danehy told Reuters in an email.
The FDA has not recalled Chantix as of June 25, but Canadian health authorities did issue a recall for Champix, the drug’s name in that country, on June 8.
It’s far from the first time a drug or other product has been recalled for higher-than-expected levels of carcinogens. The FDA issued a warning about NDMA in ranitidine drugs, including the heartburn medication Zantac, in September 2019. Zantac was later voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer before the FDA issued a widespread recall request for ranitidine medications.
And in May, independent lab Valisure asked the FDA to remove 78 sunscreens from the market after detecting benzene, another known carcinogen.
Have you purchased Chantix and are now worried about carcinogens potentially being present in the drug? Let us know in the comments!
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99 thoughts onPfizer Halts Distribution of Chantix After Finding Carcinogen
I have taken Chantix on and off many times over the last two years or so. Is there an ongoing class action against them? If so, how do we opt in?
Im from Australia and used Champix/Chantix on 2 separate occasions, the first occasion I developed pancreatiris, at this time I wasn’t sure what caused me to have this issue but I was really sick with this and was hospitalised, the second time I used Champix once again I developed pancreatiris, that confirmed it for me that this pfizer drug was causing this issue.
I was taking chantix for over 2 years ….. How and when should I get cancer screening??
I tried taking Chantix 3 different times in the last 5-years. In 2018 I found out I had Squamous Cell Carcinoma In the rectal region. Could taking Chantix have caused this?
I have taken it for 45 days “June/ July 2021” Stopped taking it as soon as I saw the recall on news…. Side effects were vivid nightmares, disturbed sleep, anger, anxiety, depression. Thankfully, quit smoking. Count me in if there is a class action. We may not know what it has done and it may come in future.
Had bad stomach problems, headaches, dry mouth, I have a knot in my throat
Well now what I’ve been taking it for about 6 months I wonder when this is going to kill me
I start using Champix in March 2020 due to a ban on tobacco in South Africa and finish the course. I stopped smoking and expierence terrible side effects. I was healthy and fit for my age(58 years) but couldn’t walk 20 meters without being out of breath. To be permanently tired and nausea became part of my life. 3 months after complete the course i start smoking again. Now more than a year later I am not a shadow of what I was before. The nausea never stopped. I am to tired to even sit. My life is a living hell that I cannot escape from. I am depressed( for the first time in my life) and want to end this so many times. The only reason I haven’t is because I am a Christian. But I am reaching a point were I am arguing with myself as to why God will forgive me. To feel this sick every day of my life I don’t wish on anyone else. And the only medication I’ve used was Champix.
I been taking it
Me and my husband took this for 2 mo. just got a letter from Walgreens saying to turn it in or throw it out .. major stomach pain. Thought I was going crazy The way I felt
What type of cancers