April 24th, 2008 8:54 AM Eastern
Addiction Meds Prove To Increase Suicide and Depression Risks
by Paula Rizzo
The pill that hoped to be dubbed a “cure all” is proving to raise the risk of depression and suicide. Patients were prescribed Chantix for weight loss, the quit smoking and even to kick other addicitons like alcohol and cocaine. The way it would work is the pills would block pleasure centers in the brain that provide the feel-good response from addictions. But it seems the drug is blocking pleasure too well and causing serious side effects. This is not the only drug which has displayed this problem.
Have you taken this drug? We want to hear what side effects you’ve suffered if any. Leave your comments below.
In reference to the article on Singulair; how does it affect young children? My 5 year old grandson was just prescribed Singulair for asthma.
I did take Chantix to stop smoking and it worked! I also became very depressed HOWEVER, I had a dr that forewarned me of this possibility. I all ready take Xanax for panic attacks and I found that combining the two worked very well for me. I had smoked for 42 years, since I was 14 yrs old. I am now smoke free for 5 months. If anyone asks me I tell them, yes, it works but you have to be ready and you have to be careful.
I am a pharmacist and an ex-smoker. I have seen may great results with Chantix. People have to remember that these meds are a foreign chemical to their bodies, of course there are side effects! But, HELLO, do they really not realize how much damage the cigarettes are doing? People easily disregard there bad behavior (smoking, overeating, not exercising,etc) and its effect on their body, but have fits with meds and side effects. I do not disagree their are side effects, all meds have them. Some are worse than others. People have to take some personal resposibility though - and don’t just depend on meds to fix their bad habits.
Chantix helped and MANY of my friends quit smoking. I now have lung cancer because I didn’t stop smoking sooner. Some depression, of which I experience none, is a whole lot better than all this chemo and radiation. If you get depressed, stop taking the drug. If not, Chantix will help you stop smoking.