Chantix is an anti-smoking drug that helps adults to stop this addiction without any major difficulty. It is available only by prescription. Of late, this drug has been shrouded in controversy.
Pfizer, manufacturer of Chantix, says that this drug is completely safe for use among adults with any mental illness. But these patients should let their doctors know about their mental illness when doing a consultation.
After receiving a few reports about Chantix, the FDA, the regulatory health body in the US, started investigations into these reports. The body issued directions to Pfizer to change the label of this drug. It should be specifically mentioned in the label that doctors should examine patients with a history of mental illness such as depression in a thorough manner before prescribing this drug. Acting on the guidelines of FDA, Pfizer changed the label of this drug.
Pfizer representative, Martina Flammer, who is a senior medical director of Pfizer, says, “There is no indication that there is any reason why Chantix should not be taken in this population.”
How does Chantix work?
Chantix is a useful anti-smoking drug. It targets the nicotine receptors without actually containing any nicotine and reduces the effects of withdrawal symptoms which ultimately make it easier for individuals to give up smoking during the course of the treatment.
This drug has some side effects, like all prescription treatments. But side effects experienced by mentally ill patients are being investigated and Pfizer has also funded some private scientists to conduct further trials on such patients. However, Pfizer says that psychiatric problems caused due to intake of Chantix are not more than that of the placebo.
Pfizer regards Chantix, as one the most effective smoking cessation drugs on the market. It is a prescription drug and should be taken only after doing a medical consultation.
Why do smokers find it difficult to stop smoking?
Most smokers find it difficult to stop smoking mainly due to the strong addictive qualities of nicotine. There are very few smokers who exhibit a strong will to stop smoking on their own. However, smoking cessation drugs such as Chantix are a useful aid. Most of the smokers have actually quit this habit after treatment with Chantix. This drug is quite useful to convert smokers into non-smokers during the course of treatment. The main distinguishing factor between Chantix and other anti-smoking aids is this drug helps stop nicotine addiction without actually providing doses of nicotine in the body.
Brief Description
Chantix is safe for mentally ill patients, claims its manufacturer. Pfizer is also planning to conduct more studies on patients with health conditions who are taking Chantix.
