Chantix Lawyers: Lawsuits Involving Chantix
Chantix is a pharmaceutical drug that assists – apparently quite effectively – in helping patients to quit smoking. The drug was approved by the FDA in 2006 after an accelerated review process (usually a telltale sign of trouble).
How Chantix Works
Chantix works in two ways. Chantix blocks nicotine from stimulating brain receptors, so cigarettes do not give users the dopamine release they receive when they smoke, which makes smoking less appealing. At the same time, it stimulates the release of small quantities of dopamine to help decrease the desire for nicotine because the body is already getting some level of dopamine.
Reports of Suicide on Chantix
Obviously, being able to pull this off is pharmacological genius. Unfortunately, after approval in 2006, it did not take long before reports began linking Chantix to suicidal ideations and action, depression, violent behavior and cardiovascular problems. After increased reports of a problem, the label on Chantix has since been altered to reflect the risk of suicidal behaviors and thoughts.
Newly Reports Risks Associated with Chantix
Now, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices said this week that even more problems are being identified beyond the reported heart and cardiovascular problems that have been previous reported. Specifically, the Institute believes that there may be an association between Chantix and serious accidents and falls (which some theorize is from the visual disturbance reported with Chantix), potentially lethal cardiac rhythm disturbances, acute myocardial infarction, seizures, diabetes, and psychosis. The Institute also found continued reports of aggression and suicide. Chantix have also been linked to Stevens Johnson Syndrome, a potentially deadly skin disease.
What is getting the interest of lawyers investigating Chantix is that Chantix accounted for 988 serious injuries in the U.S. in the last quarter of 2007, the highest of any pharmaceutical drug on the market. Putting this number in context, the FDA received a median of 5 reports of serious injury for 769 different pharmaceutical drugs over the same period of time. If you have more adverse reports than any other drug, it is a “Houston, we have a problem” situation, particularly when you are not one of the best selling drugs in the country. To put in it context, Pfizer has another drug, Lipitor, that has 10 times the sales of Chantix.
What You Can Do If You or a Loved One Has Suffered a Chantix Injury
Accordingly, our Chantix lawyers are now investigating cases involving not only suicides but we are also investigating cases involving accidents from visual disturbances, potentially lethal cardiac rhythm disturbances, acute myocardial infarction, seizures, diabetes, and psychosis. If you or a loved one on Chantix has experienced an injury as a result of any of these symptoms or events, or if you are a lawyer looking to refer your potential Chantix lawsuit to a pharmaceutical lawyer, call a Chantix lawyer at 1-800-553-8082 or click here for a free, no obligation Internet consultation.
More Information on Chantix Class Action Lawsuits
Background Information on History Behind Chantix lawsuits
More on Stevens Johnson and Chantix
