Chantix Information from George Sink, P.A.
The law firm of George Sink, P.A. will discuss your case. Contact your health care physician if you have suffered any of the dangerous side effects caused by Chantix. In case of a recall, or in your individual case, George Sink, P.A. are committed to helping people affected by Chantix get the legal help they need so that Chantix victims can get the compensation they deserve, if Chantix use has adversely affected their lives. In advance of a possible recall, George Sink P.A., Injury Lawyers is now reviewing potential cases related to Chantix, so call or email us today.
General Information about Chantix:
Chantix, also known as Champix (in the European market) and varenicline (or varenicline tartrate), is a drug used to help reduce nicotine dependency and quit smoking. Manufactured by Pfizer, it is a derivative of the older drug cytisine. Generally taken taken in 0.5mg or 1.0mg doses, it was advertised with a famous spot featuring a tortoise and hare.
In February of 2006, midway through the approval process, the United States Food and Drug Administration decided to put Chantix on the fast track to approval, reducing the ordinary review term of ten months to only six. The drug was approved in May of the same year and was released into the United States market in August 2006. It is intended to be taken for a limited period of time: 12 weeks, with the option of an additional 12 weeks if cravings still exist.
Like most drugs, Chantix has some moderate side effects, such as nausea, abdominal pain and headache. A more serious problem with the drug was discovered in November 2007, when the FDA announced that reports it had received indicated the development of erratic and suicidal behavior among some users of Chantix. The FDA strengthened this claim in February 2008, claiming an "increasingly likely [...] association" between Chantix and suicidal behavior.
Public concern has been growing over the drug's side effects. The Federal Aviation Administration has banned the use of Chantix by air traffic controllers or pilots, citing the possibility of unstable behavior and neuropsychiatric problems. According to a May 2008 Los Angeles Times story by Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, over two dozen traffic accidents blamed on Chantix had already been reported to the FDA. Derek De Koff published a negative account in which he recalled his own experiences with the drug in New York magazine.
In November 2007, the FDA renewed its inquiry into the drug, seeking evidence of increased aggressive thoughts or suicidal ideations. Beginning in January 2008, the drug's packaging was required to contain a notice that those taking Chantix should be monitored for increased depression, agitation or other unusual psychological effects.
If you have suffered any of the dangerous side effects caused by Chantix, contact your health care physician and George Sink Chantix Recall Lawyers at 1-800-849-SINK to discuss your case.
Chantix® in the News
Reuters article: Pfizer anti-smoking drug needs warning: FDA (PDF)
Press release: FDA Issues Public Health Advisory on Chantix (PDF)
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