by Carly Mack

Created on: January 09, 2009

Chantix is another perfect example of drug companies pushing their "wonder wares" past the FDA and into the hopeful hands of a trusting public. Touted to be the smoker's salvation and sporting a label with a short list of acceptable side effects, folks rushed out to buy prescriptions of Chantix. Many, exercising caution, took the time to discuss it with physicians who also took the drug company (Pfizer) at its word.

I have always been careful of prescription drugs, usually opting to manage without antibiotics, pain medication, etc., when at all possible. I prefer to do things naturally. However, when it comes to smoking cessation and many other situations where homeopathic or alternative therapy would be beneficial or preferred, the insurance companies protect the drug companies and the wheels on the capitalistic bus go round and round.

I discussed Chantix with my physician and decided to try it. I was fully aware that it blocked certain receptors to the brain but had no idea the full repercussions of that strategy. After all, I had discussed it with my doctor. I took it for forty-five days and did not smoke. I dealt with the minor nausea and bit of gassiness that were mentioned side-effects.

What took three to four weeks for me to notice was the growing sense of irritability and depressed feelings. Worst of all was a complete loss of my sense of smell and taste. These senses have always been acute assets for me. Eating became a source of misery. I may as well have been eating cotton and cardboard for all the enjoyment I gained from any meal. I fluctuated between eating until I felt full, which was not satisfying, to just not wanting to eat at all. I would end up in tears from frustration and anger. I also began hearing a loud ringing in my ears that sounded like a high-pitched hum. I stopped the Chantix on the forty-fifth day and told my doctor. I threw out the rest of the prescription. I had ninety days worth.

After three months I regained enough of my sense of taste and smell to allow me to eat meals with some normalcy. The ringing in my ears has only become worse. The mixture of depression, irritability and lethargy affected every aspect of my daily life and more important, my livelihood. I warned friends about taking Chantix. I became aware that there were others who were even more strongly and adversely affected than I. I realize now, that what I was experiencing wasn't a delusion.

Fortunately, I never experienced suicidal thoughts, although it has been difficult and I am not the same person I was prior to taking Chantix. Losing your will and motivation to be functional is pretty debilitating. I have always had a strong sense of self and feel it is the one thing that kept me from the edge.

This drug needs to be taken off the market. Rather than attempts to price smokers out of the habit or brow-beating them into extinction, perhaps legislation requiring tobacco companies to fund cessation programs that have proven effectiveness without the risks.

The FDA exists to protect the public. Instead, they display a stronger loyalty and bond with the affluent, pill-pushing drug companies. I cringe at the thousands of televised drug ads that end by spouting more contraindications and side effects than benefits. One out of three actually mentions death as a possible side affect. We need pharmaceuticals that do more good than harm. Otherwise, the only benefit goes to the seller... in this case, the drug company.

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