Chantix® Side Effects
(800) 889-3898
Chantix® side effects may be experienced by individuals who take the smoking cessation drug. Approved by the FDA in 2006, Chantix® is designed to reduce people's desire to smoke by blocking the brain's receptors from enjoying nicotine. According to Pfizer, the maker of this drug, Chantix® has already helped over 6 million people quit smoking.
However, despite its purported effectiveness, Chantix® drug has been proven to cause a number of mild to serious side effects.
Because some Chantix® side effects can be life threatening, it's vital that Chantix® users:
- Understand the range and symptoms of Chantix® side effects before they start taking this medication.
- Seek medical attention and find an alternative smoking cessation method, should they develop severe Chantix® side effects.
- Meet with a defective drug lawyer, once the side effects of Chantix® have been treated, to evaluate whether they have a legal claim against Pfizer.
Severe Chantix® Side Effects
A May 2008 study found that over 3,000 patients had developed life-threatening complications after taking Chantix®.
The most serious Chantix® side effects include:
- Depression, psychosis and/or suicidal behavior
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), an inflammation of the skin's mucous membranes that causes severe blisters (particularly around the eyes, mouth and genitals)
- Toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome (TENS), a more serious form of SJS in which blisters and rashes cause the outermost layer of skin to separate from the lower layers, die and be shed from the body.
Without immediate treatment, Chantix® injuries can be fatal. While treatment for depression and suicidal thoughts will likely involve anti-depressant medication and/or therapy, SJS and TENS require hospitalization (usually in an intensive care unit) and:
- antibiotics
- IV therapy
- pain medication
- skin grafts
Milder Chantix® Side Effects
In most cases, Chantix® users will only experience mild side effects, including:
- changes in appetite
- constipation
- dry mouth
- fatigue
- gas
- headaches
- nausea
- sleeping problems
- vivid or bizarre dreams
- vomiting
Of these, nausea is the most common. Although these symptoms tend to be minor, should they significantly impair your quality of life, talk to your doctor about alternative smoking cessation options.
Chantix® Warnings
To reduce your chances of developing serious Chantix® side effects, be sure to discuss your complete medical history with your doctor before you start taking this medication.
Patients with the greatest risk of experiencing injuries include those with a history of:
- depression or other mental health issues
- severe allergic reactions, as SJS and TENS typically arise as a result of an allergic reaction to a medication.
Those who are injured taking Chantix® (as well as families of those who have died after use) will likely be entitled to compensation via a Chantix® lawsuit. To find out if you have a case, set up a free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer for defective drugs today.
Have you or a loved one been harmed by Chantix®? If so, contact us today to speak to an experienced lawyer who can help you evaluate your claim, build your case and win a deserved Chantix® settlement.
