Mental Health Risks Associated With Use Of Chantix
It’s difficult for many people to quit smoking on their own, particularly if they’ve smoked for many years ‘” which is why some people turn to their doctors for prescription strength help. When they do, there’s a good chance they’ll be offered one of the newer medications such as Chantix or Zyban to abet reduce the desire to smoke. These medications are effective for some people, although their side effects are disturbing. Utilize of Chantix has been associated with serious mental health issues including an increased risk of suicide, prompting the Food and Drug Administration to require black box warning labels to let consumers know about the potential dangers of using this prescription.
What Type of Mental Health Problems Are Being Seen With Use of Chantix?
A wide range of mental health symptoms have been seen with use of Chantix. Symptoms have ranged from severe depression to mood swings, agitation, personality changes, and anxiety. Some patients have experienced psychotic episodes with vivid hallucinations and disturbing delusions after use of Chantix. Even more concerning is the increased incidence of suicide and attempted suicide in people who using this medication to cessation smoking. Since it was placed on the market three years ago, there have been almost 100 successful suicides and 188 attempted ones. These suicides and attempted suicides have occurred both in people with a previous psychiatric history and in those with no history of psychiatric disturbance. It seems difficult to predict who will experience mental health effects with use of Chantix, although people with pre-existing mental health problems are probably at higher risk.
Why Does Utilize of Chantix Cause Mental Health Problems?
Chantix reduces the desire to smoke by binding to nicotine receptors in the brain. When it binds, it blocks the actual nicotine molecule from stimulating the receptor. At the same time it provides some very weak stimulation of its own so that nicotine cravings are reduced. If a person smokes a cigarette while taking Chantix, chances are they won’t get the same satisfaction since the nicotine receptors are already blocked by the drug. Some believe that the mental health effects associated with Chantix are actually related to nicotine withdrawal rather than to direct effects of the medication. Chantix also appears to alter levels of brain neurotransmitters that affect mood.
Is Chantix Worth the Risk?
The risks of using Chantix have to be weighed against the potential health risks of continuing to smoke. The long term dangers of smoking are considerable and Chantix is one of the most effective anti-smoking medications available. The best option may be to try safer options such as nicotine patches or gum before considering the use of Chantix. If these methods fail to work, Chantix may be an option for some as it’s used with close monitoring. At the first effect of mental health problems, it should be stopped immediately. Anyone with a history of psychiatric problems should avoid using Chantix or Zyban. The bottom line? Try safer options first and talk to a medical professional about the issues before starting any type of smoking finish prescription medication such as Chantix.
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Filed under Stop Smoking Aids by on Dec 14th, 2011. 