The following is an email I received from one of my readers. It
describes some of the problem people have been having with Chantix.
I don’t want to make you think that Chantix is a horrible drug. It is
not. But like all drugs it has side effects.
Hi Dr. Howell,
I just happened upon your website while searching for effects of
Chantix. I too have taken this drug. I had extreme side effects
from it from gastrointestinal to psychiatric disorders.
At first I was extremely tired. I felt like I was in some kind of
fog or something. I also had horrible headaches and body aches.
(I was still smoking) The longer I took the drug, the more agitated
and crazy I felt.
Menstruation has also stopped since taking Chantix. Prior to Chantix
I was like clockwork, every 26 days. My last period was in August.
This is October. I am 46 years of age and will be 47 in November.
I realize that I am at an age that menopause could possibly be starting,
however I was always very normal in that department.
While on Chantix I also experience extreme hot flashes. I felt as
though I may explode at times and I would sweat profusely. It took
approximately 3 weeks of being off of Chantix for the hot flashes to
go away.
At approximately the same time my depression and anxiety has also
gone away. I’m feeling much more in focus since off of it. I almost
ended my marriage towards the end of Chantix. I was that depressed
and anxious.
I believe that people are not warned in advance of the things this
medication can do to them. It is seen as some kind of magic cure to
quit smoking. Yes, it did help me quit smoking until I stopped taking
it. I am smoking again.
Immediately upon stopping Chantix I went to visit my Dr. I told her
all of my side effects and I even told her I thought I was going crazy.
I cried while in her office as I had been spending most of my time
crying. She prescribed me an antidepressant and never said anything
about the Chantix.
I felt as though my concerns regarding this medication were being
ignored. I never got the prescription for the antidepressant filled.
I just waited and hoped for the best as the Chantix got out of my system.
I am fine now but I wish others would really check out the side effects
listed prior to taking this medication.
-T Norris
