That's Fit

For smokers who have had trouble quitting on their own, the prescription medication Chantix might have seemed like a lifeline. A pill to help them quit smoking. But sometimes artificial help comes at a cost.

The FDA had previously released warnings that people taking Chantix may experience suicidal thoughts. More recent reports are showing that in addition, many users are experiencing extreme sleepiness and possibly even seizures. In fact, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices linked the medication to more than two dozen traffic accidents.

In response to the concerns, the Federal Aviation Administration banned use of the medication for pilots and air traffic controllers.

Pfizer's smoking cessation drug Chantix may cause depression and suicidal thoughts, according to the FDA.

Since it seems almost any new prescription drug causes some bizarre array of side effects, it seems appropriate that Chantix is one of them. Doctors have reported severe mood swings, suicidal thoughts and depression from patients taking he drug.

What do do? Quit some other way, that's what. Although the FDA told the media that patients shouldn't stop taking Chantix (not just yet, anyway), doctors need to monitor those patients very closely. Yeah, I am sure that will happen fast. Here's an idea: stop taking Chantix. Use another smoking cessation aid.

I caught a minute of ABC's The View on Tuesday and learned that co-host Whoopi Goldberg is trying to quit smoking. Good for her.

"I want to be done by December 15," Whoopi told her audience. A wise plan, considering smoking damages nearly every organ in the human body, is linked to 10 different cancers, and accounts for 30 percent of all cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. Yet one in four Americans still light up.

Smoking is by far the leading risk factor for lung cancer. And it is far more dangerous for women than men. Now wrap your head around this fact: The nicotine found in cigarettes is as addictive as heroin. If that's not reason enough to stop smoking, I don't know what is.

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.