With more than 4 million prescriptions in the USA and over $880 million sales in 2007, Chantix, being a new molecular entity specifically designed by Pfizer scientists to treat nicotine addition, has made a kind of revolution in the field of smoking treatment. Nowadays, Chantix is a widely known and highly popularized option against smoking.

However, two years on the market brought not only high popularity to Chantix, but also arose certain concerns regarding adverse reaction, potentially associated with the use of this medication.

Of course, any medicine may cause side effects – this is a kind of axiom in pharmacology. That is why doctors, as well as their patients, always have to consider both the effectiveness of the medication and its potential risks.

Speaking about the effectiveness of Chantix, we may refer to the official data of clinical studies, conducted to define the rates of Chantix effectiveness in treating smoking addiction. In fact, there were six clinical studies to demonstrate Chantix effectiveness, all of which proved higher effectiveness of Chantix in comparison to placebo and Zyban, which was earlier the only medicine approved against smoking.

One of the studies with 627 participants involved showed that 45 – 51 % of patients treated with Chantix were successful in quitting smoking after 9 -12 weeks of treatment. For comparison, only 12 % of those, who received placebo (non-active sugar pills), could remain smoke-free for the same time period. Another study compared Chantix with Zyban and also showed a superior rate of effectiveness among the patients treated with Chantix (44 % vs. 30 % of those who received Zyban).

Speaking in general, the official web site of Chantix says that the rate of effectiveness of the medicine is 44 %. Of course, this rate may seem to be not so exciting; however, keep in mind that before Chantix we hadnot hadany medicinal option to overcome smoking except Zyban, which is antidepressant by origin, and a strong will, which, to tell the truth, has much lower rate of effectiveness.  

Like a bold from the blue, a report from the Food and Drug Administration appeared in November 2007, warning patients and doctors on the possible association between Chantix use and serious neuropsychiatric symptoms, including suicidal thoughts and behavior.

Now it is known of 40 suicides in the USA associated with Chantix use and about 400 cases of suicidal thinking. Though the direct link between suicidal thoughts and behavior and Chantix was not established, it was not ruled out on the other hand.

The interest of publicity and experts to the potential threats of Chantix was heated up by the report of death of Carter Albrecht, a 34-year old musician from Dallas, who was shot dead by his neighbor after Albrecht tried to burst into his neighbor’s house.

The family and a girlfriend reported that Albrecht has always been a charming person and an amazing musician. However, after starting Chantix therapy, he became experiencing vivid nightmares and hallucinations. The relatives of the musician believe it was because of Chantix that Albrecht’s personality and behavioral patterns changed so significantly, and finally caused his death.

Nowadays, Chantix received a new warning on its label to warn all the patients about potential risks and the FDA continues investigation of the suicidal cases associated with Chantix use. Of course, the potential threat of Chantix should not be underestimated; however, on the other hand we should not be frightened too much by these cases (remember that there was about 4 million prescriptions issued last year and only 400 cases of suicidal thinking were reported). Besides, while the scientific community disputes on the risks and benefits profile of Chantix, smoking remains the global killer and causes about 400 000 deaths in the USA every year.

So, if one decides to quit, it seems reasonable to talk to a doctor about Chantix. When speaking to a doctor, one is highly recommended to mention any cases of mental disorders he currently experiences or experienced in the past. Once the prescription is issued, and a person starts taking Chantix, it is important to realize the potential threats and inform doctor on any side effects he may come across, while taking the medicine.

Nick