A previously controversial pill designed to help people quit smoking has been accused of raising the risk of heart problems in its users. Varenicline, which is supplied under the brand name of Champix, has been linked to depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts on numerous occasions but is still sold today. It is used by around 140,000 people in Britain and accounted for one million prescriptions in 2010.
A study by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Maryland utilised 14 studies into the drug, containing over 8,000 smokers. 52 of 4,908 using Champix suffered cardiac problems, compared to 27 people of the 3,308 who were taking placebos. In reality this is only an increase from 0.82% to 1.06%, less than a quarter of a percent.
Dr Sonal Singh, from, said:
“This is just like driving a car without brakes. Going forward, I don’t know how we will convince our patients to take Champix for what, to increase your risk for heart attack?... People should be concerned. They don’t need Chantix to quit and this is another reason to avoid Chantix all together.”
“People want to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease but in this case they're taking a drug that increases the risk for the problems they're trying to avoid. They should be concerned.”
With the large amount of risks now associated with Champix, it seems very strange that it is still be prescriped to so many people in Britain.
The research has been challenged by the Velvet Glove blog here.
What is not debatable is that Varenicline is directly linked to suicide and aggressive behaviour.
What is most obnoxious about this case is that the following anti smoking smoking organisations have been silent:
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids;
The American Cancer Society;
The American Heart Association;
The American Lung Association;
Action on Smoking and Health;
The American Academy of Pediatrics; and
The American Legacy Foundation.
All receive payments from Pfizer.
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I stopped smoking 27 years ago. I stopped for a couple of reasons; I knew that smoking was bad for me and my wife; and we decided that we could not afford to continue smoking. We used to live overseas, where we could buy thirty smokes for 30p, and we refused to pay, then, some £1.75 for twenty smokes.
But the kicker in all of this is the fact that we stopped smoking without any drugs, patches, filters; anything! We just said 'those are the last smokes we buy' and we kept to that.
Ever had a look at the shelves and shelves covered with the products of an entire industry dedicated to achieving something which can be achieved by will-power alone? The amount spent in the NHS alone must be staggering!
If you want to smoke, go ahead, but just think on about what you do when the wheezing starts, and the brown-coloured phlegm commences spewing from your mouth!
Posted by: Mike Cunningham | 06/07/2011 at 12:48 PM
This is just like driving a car without brakes. Going forward, I don’t know how we will convince our patients to take Champix for what, to increase your risk for heart attack?... People should be concerned. They don’t need Chantix to quit and this is another reason to avoid Chantix all together.”
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