Fatima Chaudhry

Why this drug was developed According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 45 million adults in the United States smoke cigarettes, and more than 8 million of them have at least one serious illness caused by smoking. It is estimated that there are 1.3 billion smokers in the world Smoking has very serious health risks, such as heart disease and lung disease. Quitting smoking is very difficult approximately 60% of people who try to quit smoking relapse within the first year. FDA approved methods to help people quit smoking include nicotine patches and nicotine gum these methods have only minimally help people to quit smoking

What is Chantix? Claims: Chantix is a non-nicotine prescription medicine specifically developed to help adults quit smoking. It works in 2 ways, it targets nicotine receptors in the brain, attaches to them and blocks nicotine from reaching them. Chantix also activates these receptors, causing a reduced release of dopamine compared to nicotine The dopamine relieve give the pleasurable effects of nicotine therefore decreasing withdrawal symptoms People on Chantix lose the sense of stratification of smoking due to the drug

Market Claims: Pfizer has adopted a softer sell that it hopes will build Chantix steadily over time. Meanwhile, because insurers are slow to cover smoking treatments, it has priced Chantix so that consumers will be willing to pay for it themselves.

What research supports these claim Chantix was used in 6 clinical trials in which a total of 3659 chronic cigarette smokers (more than 10 a day) were treated with Chantix. In all the studies abstinence from smoking was verified by measurement of exhaled carbon monoxide at weekly visits. Among the patients the completion rate was 65% Published on: Pfizer, rxlist.com, and the journal of the American medical association Participants in Research: Most patients enrolled in these trials were white 79-96% Almost equal numbers of male and females. The average age was 43 and patients on average had smoked about 21 cigarettes per day for an average of 25 years in 6 clinical trials involved in the research

Scientific Method: Double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted between October 2003 and March FDA reviewed a randomized clinical trial of 700 smokers with cardiovascular disease who were treated with Chantix or placebo. In this trial, Chantix was effective in helping patients quit smoking and remain abstinent from smoking for as long as one year. Cardiovascular adverse events were infrequent overall, however, certain events, including heart attack, were reported more frequently in patients treated with Chantix than in patients treated with placebo. Were the people selling the product involved in the research? Yes, former smoker Jotham Coe, PhD, (Research Fellow at Pfizer Global Research and Development) was inspired to lead a team to develop Chantix and was involved in the research.

Would I try this product? Although studies have shown that was a 37.3% quit rate with 1mg once daily, 40% quit rate with 1mg twice daily. I would still not use this drug because Chantix has many serious side effect. nausea constipation vomiting heartburn increased or decreased appetite trouble falling asleep or staying asleep unusual dreams or nightmares difficulty in moving your arms or legs shortness of breath sweating nausea, vomiting, or lightheadedness slow or difficult speech …e.t.c In clinical studies, people who took Chantix were more likely to have a heart attack, a stroke, or other serious problems with their heart or blood vessels than people who did not receive this medication.

Pertinent information After being approved by the FDA in 2006, Chantix was given a black-box warning by the FDA in 2009 for the serious adverse effects caused by the drug FDA updated review safety in 2011 The Federal Aviation Administration and Defense Department banned Chantix use among pilots and air traffic controllers. The military also banned Chantix for missile crews. Anti-smoking drug Chantix linked to more than 500 suicides

Danger in Using Chantix Some people have changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts or actions while using Chantix Some people had these symptoms when they began taking Chantix, and others developed them after several weeks of treatment or after stopping Chantix. Brain on Chantix via Nymag.com

Is it a good product? In June 2011, Chantix was recalled by the FDA In the last five years, 544 suicides and 1,869 attempted suicides have been reported to the FDA as “adverse events” in connection with Chantix, according to documents obtained by America Tonight under the Freedom of Information Act. According to AlJazeera.America news, Pfizer has recently spent close to $300 million to settle 2,700 Chantix lawsuits, and the judge in the case says the black box warning is sufficient, meaning future litigation is unlikely.

Saturday Night Live- Chantix