I think it's great that they are coming out with medications to help people quit smoking. But I am concerned that they introduce them into the market so quickly. There are now suddenly reports of people who are taking chantix losing their minds in a violent fit of rage. I mean, come on. Is there a problem with a drug? Or is it just someone's way of not taking responsibilities for their own actions?

So often medication is introduced into society and then BAM...they cause all of these horrible side effects nobody knew about. What is the point of the FDA if drugs can make it onto the market only to kill the people they are supposed to be helping? This really doesn't make me feel I can trust my doctor when they recommend a new drug. Why are docs always so quick to prescribe the new one when this chantix thing isn't the first time reports like this have surfaced. I mean come on, what about the Paxil horrors or the Zelmorm scare. Not to mention all those arthritis drugs that gave people heart attacks. How are we supposed to trust the industry anymore? Where are we supposed to get reliable information?

Just wondering if anyone out there in the medical world had any thoughts.

My daughters mothir in law was on chantix. It worked for her but it put her in a deep depression and she committed suicide. I have talked to others about chantix and one person told me they too, were in a deep depression, had dreams and just plain didnt feel good while taking it. They said it took about a week before they started to feel normal again. HOW CAN THIS WONDER DRUG AFFECT THE MIND LIKE THIS? Isnt dopramine in it and shouldnt it make them feel good? As a pharmacy technician one hears all side pro and con of this drug.

My sister used Chantix from 08/2007 until 11/2007. During her use of Chantix, she was somewhat delusional ie. heard people talking outside of her residence. seen people looking into her windows. And on one occasion thought her residence was on fire and jumped from a window breaking her leg. She did not display symtoms of depression. On November 11, 2007 at 6:08pm. she was pronounced dead by the Medical Examiner from a self-inflicted gunshot would to her head with 16 guage shotgun. She had telephoned me, at 2:40pm, she was in fine spirits and we awaited Thanksgiving. At 4:00 pm, her husband took their dog for a run, and 15-20 minutes before his return he called her to tell her he was on his way home to cook her dinner. She told him she had hoped they had a good time on the dog run. When he returned, he found her in bed with her pajamas on with the gunshot to her head. The family and friends do not understand why or what would have caused her to end her life in this manner.

I've been off of Chantix for about a month and a half and am having terrible, violent-like episodes. I'm not a violent person at all, but man. This is scaring me. I have an appointment Tuesday with the fam doc. After my "episode" I dive into a deep depression. Scary stuff. I don't have any of these problems while on the drug itself. This is after the fact.

I have been taking chantix for a about a month and a half. It has indeed helped me to quit smoking. I haven't had a cigarette for about 3 weeks now. The only thing that i really have to complain about it is that I have had the side effect of the changes in dreaming. I have been having very vivid dreams almost every night and they are disturbing. And during the day i almost obsess over them, i just cant stop thinking about them. I would stop taking the medicine due to the dreams but i want to make sure i am confident enough about quiting smoking before i stop taking it. I also have been getting a little bit depressed too (I take medicine for depression so i guess its not as bad as it probably would be if i wasn't). The makers of chantix have clearly stated that changes in dreaming and depression are side effects so i can't really complain too much. I just hope i am not like some of the unfortunate individuals that have posted before me and get delusional and symptoms of the like.

I hve been taking it since 1-1-08 with only minor side effects, i.e., nausea and some alertness probs when I went to the 1 mg in AM and 1 mg in PM. I cut my dosage down to 1/2 mg in AM and 1/2 mg in PM (1 whole pill a day) and that improved everything drastically. As of today, I am 17 days smoke free, intend to stay that way, and I am only taking Chantix 1/2 mg in the AM - I am getting thru the PM just fine. Dreams are a scream - I am always smoking them in - but they are not "real" nor are they frightening and I couldn't tell you right now what happened in the one I had last night, but I know I was smoking in it. lol - seems my "dream smoking" may actually be helping me mentally as I can smoke all I want in my dreams - that will not kill me. I am grateful for Pfizer for this medicine because without it, my chances of surviving past (maybe) 65 were pretty slim.

I stopped using Chantix 2 days ago. I had been taking it for 6 weeks. All was well until a week ago. I became very agitated and angry. I am never agitated and angry. This is not my demeanor. I've just not been myself. I have gained 6 pounds and have been eating non-stop without any control. Honestly, I do not know if this is the drug, or that I am so use to having a cig in my mouth most of the time. This drug is not for me. It really does scare me.

I have been considering quitting chantix as well, curious as how you are doing off of it? I am having the same issues. The dreams were wierd at first.. but i kind of enjoyed the vividness of them. However, I have gained about 6-7 pounds (I'm still not overweight) but i feel absolutely HORRIBLE about myself... there are days when i am depressed, and overly agitated... very sensitive. I have trouble motivating myself, i mean motivation has never been a strong suit of mine, but i think i tend to lose focus easily. Curious if you noticed any drop in weight after you quit? I had taken wellbutrin before to quit and it also caused weight gain, so i stopped and started smoking.. so not sure if the weight loss could be attributed to the start in smoking or just because i stopped taking it. I'm hoping that it is the pill that is making me gain the weight on not merely the not smoking.

I've been on Chantix for almost 3 months now and I've noticed that I am more sensitive to mood swings and also more irritable to the point that I flip out over nothing. I've always been a little melodramtic but I think the Chantix use might have driven me into therapy.

I have been on Chantix for almost 6 weeks and have been smokefree for almost 5. I have not been able to take it for about a week because of some surgery that I had. I am doing well and I do not crave a cigarette. My smell is beginning to come back and after smoking for 30 years, when my daughter got around me (she smokes) she actually smelled bad. I did not have any episodes on this medicine. It worked really well for me. I believe that all medicines work different for everyone. Unfortunately, you never know how you will react to a medicine until you take it.

ALSO HAVING IRRITABILITY PROBLEMS WITHDRAWING FROM 4 MONTHS OF CHANTIX USE, HOW DID IT WORK OUT FOR YOU hd7?

I quit smoking 18 months ago on chantix and I have had the worst allergies
ever since. I am about to see allergist I am having problems breathing because of these allergies. If I knew I was going to be this sick after taking this drug I never would of taking it. When you take a drug aproved by the food and drug adminastration you think its safe. Is there anyone else haveing sever allergies too? [size=16

My Mom took chantix for @ 20 days. Since she stopped she has been to a Orthopedic doctor and 2 ER visits. The pain she is experiencing is driving her crazy. She cant sit down. I would think twice about taking chantix.