Health Canada

Last month we reported that Health Canada was preparing to strengthen warnings on Chantix labels. However, Health Canada still has not taken action.

In a report by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Health Canada sent the CBC an email saying that “new advice for health professionals and Canadians will come in the near future.”

Meanwhile, Chantix continues to jeopardize the lives of many Canadian citizens, some of whom are not aware of the drug’s risky side effects.

According to the CBC report, Hamilton resident Erin Kerr had been taking Chantix for two months when she realized her personality had shifted and she had become intolerant, argumentative, and emotional, all of which were unlike her usual self.

Then one day the changes became even worse. Kerr found a sudden irrational appeal in taking her own life. She described her experience to the CBC.

“As I’m driving along the [Hamilton] mountain brow, I just thought that driving off … would have been the easy way out at that point and would solve all my problems,” she said.

Fourteen-year-old Ellaina Janewicz lost her father Thom Janewicz early last month when he committed suicide. His ex-wife, Gayle Nakamoto, said that Thom had struggled with depression in the past, but that it seemed to be “under control.” Thom was a 48-year-old engineer and was about to begin a new job when he started taking Chantix.

Ellaina keeps a journal to help her cope with her loss. She read an excerpt of it to the CBC.

“What will I do now? I have no father,” Ellaina said, reading from the journal. “I’m here with my mother alone and my brother. I’m very confused. I’m not sure what to do.”

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration strengthened its warnings a year ago. Despite the new warnings, however, the FDA still received more reports of adverse effects linked to Chantix use than any other drug.

SOURCE: Chantix Recall › More Canadians harmed by Chantix as government revises warnings

The decision to turn the volume up on Chantix warnings follows several months of reports linking the drug to a slew of negative side effects. Feeling unusually agitated, depressed, or hostile are some of the effects commonly reported. Sudden changes in behavior, impulsive or disturbing thoughts, and the desire to hurt oneself or others are some of the more serious reactions reported.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration received more reports of serious injuries arising from Chantix than for any other drug. Prescription drug related death, which normally accounts for 16 percent of all serious reactions reported to the FDA, soared to 23 percent in the first quarter of 2008, largely because of Chantix. The U.S. has since strengthened warnings on Chantix labels.

Health Canada says that while Chantix can be an effective aide in quitting smoking, users of the drug and their families should closely monitor behavior for any changes. Sudden shifts in mood, depression, aggression, and thoughts of self harm are red flags that everyone should watch for. The person taking Chantix should avoid driving and operating heavy machinery until they know that Chantix does not have any adverse effects on them, Health Canada recommended.

Pfizer’s spokesman in Canada, Christian Marcoux, said that Chantix is safe and that some of the adverse side effects are actually caused by quitting smoking.

SOURCE: Chantix Recall › Canada strengthens Chantix warnings