bizarre psychiatric effects in patients using Chantix (varenicline) to stop smoking

November 2007

People are hearing about bizarre psychiatric effects in patients using Chantix (varenicline) to stop smoking.

More than 10% of patients complain of insomnia or abnormal dreams while taking Chantix.

Now there are several reports of unusual violent behavior or suicidal thoughts that occur within a week or more of starting Chantix.

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Table of Contents

Myths prevent many people from getting flu vaccine
Infectious Diseases Methicillin-resistant Staph aureus (MRSA) infections are on the rise
Infectious Diseases the new HIV drug, Isentress (raltegravir)
Diabetes acute pancreatitis from Byetta
Diabetes Exubera (inhaled insulin) will be discontinued
Pediatrics The recent withdrawal of infant cough and cold OTCs has parents asking how to alleviate cold symptoms in young children
Pediatrics what to do if a child's antibiotic is accidentally left out of the refrigerator
Respiratory & Allergy some patients don't want to change from their albuterol CFC inhalers to the newer HFA versions
Respiratory & Allergy whether to use levalbuterol (Xopenex) instead of albuterol
Psychiatry new warnings about potentially fatal arrhythmias with haloperidol
Smoking Cessation bizarre psychiatric effects in patients using Chantix (varenicline) to stop smoking
Supplements Akavar 20/50 for weight loss
Gastroenterology which antibiotic regimens to use for treating H. pylori
Osteoporosis The latest Reclast study emphasizes the importance of treating patients for osteoporosis after a hip fracture
Medicare when some Medicare Part D patients fall into the dreaded "donut hole"