Chantix and Nicotine Patch Equally Cause Psychological Issues, FDA Says

According to 2 large US studies, smokers who use the nicotine patch are just as likely to be hospitalized for “psychiatric events” as those who use the controversial drug Chantix (otherwise known as varenicline, or “Champix” in European markets). These findings were published in a report by the FDA this month.

While this may seem to give the drug Chantix a “green light,” the FDA still says the drug is responsible for reports of mood changes, agitation, suicidal thoughts and hostility. Other reports say there is an increased risk of homicidal thoughts with the drug’s use as well. Users of the nicotine patch, however, commonly experience vivid dreams or nightmares.

The FDA also warns that, "Focusing on psychiatric hospitalizations is a useful approach for assessing the risk of serious neuropsychiatric adverse events, but it does not allow an assessment of less severe neuropsychiatric events that did not result in a psychiatric hospitalization.”

Source: medpagetoday.com