The strange side effects of Chantix

by Bethany Sanders (Subscribe to Bethany Sanders's posts)
Oct 14th 2007 7:00PM

After a recent post about smoking, I was amazed at the number of comments we received about Chantix. Not being a smoker, I'd never heard of it, but many readers responded recommending it. Apparently, the new drug -- which works by binding to nicotine-receptors in the brain -- is helping even the most hardcore smokers to finally give up their smoking habit. But one strange side effect is getting some press as well.

Some people who take Chantix have reported strange dreams. In fact, according to a People magazine article, up to 13% of participants in trials complained of changes in dreaming, compared to 5% in the placebo group. But a few Chantix users are coming forward saying that what they're experiencing is far more severe than just bad dreams. Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians drummer, Carter Albrecht, died last month after going into an uncharacteristic rage and being shot by a frightened neighbor. His girlfriend and family members are convinced that Chantix played a role in the drastic change in his behavior, and say he had just double his dosed (as prescribed) the day he died.

Because drug trials are relatively small compared to the thousands of people now taking the drugs, health experts say that new side effects may be discovered as the drug becomes more popular. Quitting that cigarette habit is hard to do, and many people need the kind of help Chantix provides, but as with any new treatment, proceed with caution and make sure you're educated about any new drug you start taking.

Source

Comments (24)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

river 10-19-2007 @ 2:44PM

Chantix is horrible. I took it for a month and my joints hurt so bad I couldn't move. I quit taking it and 14 days later I could walk without a brace. Before that--no problems whatsoever. I still have a HORRIBLE attitude and fly into a rage at the drop of a hat. I hope this is not permanent. I advise everyone DO NOT TAKE THIS CRAP, refer to this link for a few examples of what can happen http://forums.wrongdiagnosis.com/showthread.php?t=2301

Lucy 10-20-2007 @ 10:15PM

I also took Chantix for a month, but I weaned myself off of it because of the overwhelming side effects. I went through such intense withdraw that I literally sat in my bed and cried and shook for four days. Chantix is a dangerous, powerful drug, and I strongly urge anyone who wants to quit smoking to find another way. The upside, as a result of this hellish experience nine months ago, I know I will never, ever smoke another cigarette.

Barb 10-21-2007 @ 6:30PM

As of Oct 24th, It will be 1 yr since I stopped smoking. I used the Chantix as prescribed for the 12 weeks. I am 53 and have smoked since I was 17. I was a 2 pack aday before Chantix. I only got an upset stomach once, took on an empty stomach. My dreams were not effected. What I did have was excess gas. But once I was done with the program it left too. I had no withdraws after the chantix program. I do once in awhile get an urge to have a cig, but it goes as fast as it came. I am very happy for Chantix, all the other stop smoking stuff never helped including the antidepresses.

Stan 10-22-2007 @ 4:36AM

I myself had a side effect while taking Chantix, which made me stop the medication. That doesn't mean the drug didn't work wonderfully for me and for so many others. Nothing is perfect, and there are always risks. Just reading how even hardcore addicts break this (sometimes said to be the strongest, even stronger than heroin) addiction, make the hair on my head stand up.
I blogged about my quit on Chantix and you can read it all here: http://onchantix.com/blog/stan

tcollins 10-22-2007 @ 2:01PM

I had great success with Chantix. I quit 12/25/06.
I took it for 30 days total and stopped smoking in 10 days.
The only side effects I had was excess gas. We'll be hearing alot of good news as more people have success with it.

Babs 10-24-2007 @ 7:33AM

I have tried serveral different ways and time to stop smoking. I am 48 and have smoked since I was about 15. Even after my mom died from lung cancer at 49 yrs old I still couldnt put them down for good. I'm on day 38. I have a very low urge to smoke occasionally. Nothing like the 4-5 times I tried before. This drug is doing what it claims. I too only have a slight gas issue occasionally. I would tell anyone to try the Chantix program it works.

Frances 11-01-2007 @ 7:01PM

I was determined to quit smoking so i made an apointment with the doc got my script and proudly bought my miracle drug Chantix... well after taking my first week I felt fine . Then i statred the next week and still had cravings but , the worst was i found myself sitting in front of my TV conemplating suicide. Seriously I have no reason to want to harm myself but I was actually crafting a plan to end my life.Thank God I shook it off and stated qaning myself off the pills . I thought it was just me and didnt tell m doc why I stopped i told him it wasnt helping I will do my best to get off them alone

Janet 11-01-2007 @ 7:39PM

I WAS SMOKED 2 PACKS A DAY. I STARTED SMOKING WHEN I WAS 16 AND HAD TRIED EVERYTHING THAT CAME ALONG TO QUIT. MY DOCTOR TOLD ME ABOUT CHANTIX. I TOOK IT FOR 8 WEEKS BEFORE I TRIED TO QUITE AND HAD NO PROBLEM QUITTING. IT HAS BEEN 3 MONTHS SINCE I HAVE HAD A CIGARETTE. I HAVE NOT GAINED A POUND AND HAVE NO DESIRE TO EVER HAVE ANOTHER SMOKE. THE ONLY SIDE EFFECT I FOUND WITH CHANTEX WAS A BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH.

ellen 11-01-2007 @ 8:20PM

I've been on Chantix for about 6 weeks now but only just put the ciggs down this past week. About 2 weeks ago I noticed a very different taste, smell and reaction to them. They became totally distasteful. So, keeping up my 25 yrs of smoking, I smoked clove ciggs for about a day..maybe 5 total (down from 40 'real') and thought it was ok..until I read the nicotine in clove are double! Now 4 days later nothing. LOTS of extreme dreams, head & stomach aches the first 4 weeks....but I'm gaining years and am finally feeling like a non-smoker and damn, the freedom is sweet! I've tried it all to get here but it took Chantix to finally do it.

I am concerned about potential withdrawal, but my doctor assures me he'll do all he can to reduce me slowly to minimize any effects.

Basically, headaches and funky dreams for maybe 4 months or dying slowly from lung cancer after they remove my larynx?

Pretty clear choice now that my mind is free of the heroin like addiction I've had since age 16...

Good luck on your journey.

Ellen 11-01-2007 @ 8:22PM

Deloria 11-02-2007 @ 10:24AM

Chantix is great. I stopped for 4 months.Then my sister died,and I got all stressed out and smoked.Well I can't smoke Just A few.So I got my second presubscription and am ouitting again.No side effects.

jean 11-02-2007 @ 11:11AM

I am currently taking Chantix and I love it. The first 3 days I took 1 pill a day and than on took 2 a day. I make sure I eat before taking so I don't get nausea and upset stomach. I smoked for 14 days after starting and on the 15 th day, I stopped smoking. It has been since 9/27/07 that i had quit and I feel wonderful. I was a 2 pack a day (or more) and if I get the urge I think about the $300.00 a month I am saving and than I go on my merry way. It has also curbed my appetite and I have lost a few pounds. I highly recommend it.

jo 11-03-2007 @ 9:40AM

I had a 3 pack a day habit and tried everything to quit. My mother died because she couldn't quit. My husband and I decided to do it together. The only side effect was a lot of bizzar dreams. I actually enjoyed those. If you eat before you take your pill you don't get a stomach ache. Chantix is the best thing ever invented.....................We are having fun spending all of the extra money we are saving. 10 weeks and counting

Pam 11-07-2007 @ 1:52PM

Day 11 of Chantix....usually smoke 1 1/2 packs a day, had 6 cigarettes yesterday. It's getting easier, but someone please tell me I can do this! Have been a smoker for 30 years.....I want to be healthier, and not smell like an ashtray!
The queasy stomach is getting better, the dreams I think I can handle.....the "obnoxious old friend' - Marlboro, I must be rid of!
Thanks for any advice, support!

Monica 11-09-2007 @ 9:21AM

I am currently on my third week of chantix, still smoking and beginning to wean myself off of the chantix due to the horrible side effects I am experienceing. Stomach pains, constipation, increased appetite, bizarre dreams, fatique, horrible negative mood-an overall sense of feeling awful! My husband is also on his third week and reports only mild nausea. Everyone's body chemistry is different so there is no way to know what side effects each individual will experience.

NETTY 11-13-2007 @ 2:41PM

Hi - I have been smoking for 3 years ... before that I had quit for 12 years but was hooked on nicotine gum.

I started Chantix two days ago (I'm 55 years old) and I do get a slight upset stomach when I take the 0.5 mg of Chantix and maybe a bit of a problem staying asleep......wanted to ask - My doctor only gave me a prescription for the 0.5 mg chantix twice a day after day three...does anyone have any idea why my doctor prescribed the 0.5 mg chantix instead of the 1 mg chantix. I weight 104 pounds....I wonder if it could because I am a thin person?

I hope this works because I definitely want to become a non-smoker.....healthwise this may be the best investment I ever made.

Deana 11-15-2007 @ 1:41AM

Netty: You probably have already had someone tell you by now, but just in case..you do the .5 mg twice a day for the rest of the first week, then move to 1 mg twice a day in the second week. That's how the packages are set up.

At any rate, it's horrible to see there are people having bad side effects with the drug, but I think you'll find that with just about any drug out there. A small percentage of the people who take it are going to experience the "worst case scenario" side effects. For me, it's been every bit the miracle drug I hoped for.. and I think the bizzaro dreams are kinda fun :-D

Kevin 11-21-2007 @ 9:52AM

Last February I took Chantix for about 30 days. In addition to taking the Chantix I began a walking program which helped me to quit smoking after 10 days and I've been smoke free since then. Other than having a minor upset stomach a few times when I took the medicine on an empty stomach and the dreams (which were pretty cool sometimes) I didn't notice any of the other symtoms, except with alcohol. In all my years of smoking I never experienced a blackout when I was drinking alcohol (mostly beer) but with this medicine I noticed blackouts with just a few beers the night before. Since it only happened since I started taking the medicine I quit taking the medicine after 30 days - but unfortunately this experience still happens. I'd like to speak to others who've had the same experience to see if it is a common occurrence from taking the drug and wonder how long I can expect this to occur. The blackouts are wierd - one minute your sitting there speaking to someone and the next minute you're waking up in the middle of the night - wondering what happened. Pretty wild if you ask me...

-Kevo

Kathy 11-25-2007 @ 5:16PM

Chantix helped me quit my 30 year pack a day Smoking habit. The crazy dreams didn't bother me, I just took a sleeping pill. It did seem to make me laugh more than usual. I took the pills for 9 weeks total, the last 2 of the 9 weeks I just took 1/2 pill morning & night. I had the "one thing at a time aditude. The drug builds up in your system so it make since it is still with you for awhile after you quit taking it. It has now been 5 weeks since my last pill. My last ciq was Sept. 14, 2007. Do I feel better? I'm very glad I no longer smell like a ash tray, it is now truely unacceptible to smoke in public places or the home for that matter you are harming your family! But do I feel better?? Hell No, I feel Fat!!! I have added 18 lbs to my 5'3" frame & I'm very depressed!

Beau 12-04-2007 @ 4:28PM

Try to think more positive about your quit...I know you hate the weight gain, but you'll be able to take it off after you are the "new non-smoker" a bit longer. I used the weight gain excuse YEARS before I quit. Chantix-no side effects and only took it for about 1 month. Get urges-they leave fast!A couple of extra pounds-they will go too!

| 1 | 2 | Most Recent | Next 20 Comments