I received this note from a local person who asked that I post it on their behalf... it is cutted and pasted below:
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Champix sounds like the miracle drug for people who want to quit smoking and nothing could be easier. It sounds like for most people side effects are minimal, maybe a bit of nausea, a bit of sleeplessness, not only do you stop smoking after a couple of weeks but the taste of a cigarette is actually repelling. It all sounds wonderful. But before you decide to use Champix or if you have started using it, or if you have a friend or family member using it, please, please, please educate yourself about this product. After reading this message board and all the positive comments about this drug I had to write and tell you that something happened to our family earlier this past year that was so awful that I would prefer to just keep it to ourselves but I think it would be wrong not to warn others. Do a lot of research. These symptoms are some that were experienced in our case. Severe depression, aggression, sleeplessness, extreme nightmares, hallucinations and black outs (not passing out, doing something you have no memory of) thoughts of suicide and of seriously harming others. He should have stopped taking this drug earlier but the pamphlet said these should be short term symptoms and to him it was the easiest way to stop smoking. By the time this drug took hold of him, he could not reason that it was the drug causing the problem. No where does it say that alcohol should not be consumed when taking Champix, but I think it was a factor in the end result of this incident. We were lucky with how it ended but it could have easily been the worst case scenario.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/advisories-avis/public/_2008/champix_pc-cp-eng.php "in April 2007 through April 30, 2008, a total of 226 Canadian cases of neuropsychiatric adverse events have been reported. "
· A number of patients taking CHAMPIX have experienced unusual feelings of agitation, depressed mood, hostility, changes in behavior or impulsive or disturbing thoughts such as thoughts of self-harm or harm to others.
· Tell your doctor if you have experienced depression or other mental health problems before taking CHAMPIX as these symptoms may worsen while taking CHAMPIX.
· Stop taking CHAMPIX and tell your doctor right away if you, your family or caregiver noticed any of these symptoms, if you experienced these symptoms in a way that is not typical for you, or if you have thoughts of self-harm or harm to others.
· CHAMPIX has not been studied in people with mental health problems, and therefore your doctor will be monitoring you closely for new or worsened emotional or behavioral problems while on CHAMPIX.
Another site to check out:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-509683/Champix-Is-smoking-pill-safe.html
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