does chantix cause depression?

09/28/08

chris23

Topics:Depression , Inspiration , Symptoms , Recovery & Wellness , Side Effects , Related Conditions , Doctors , Depression News , Ask The Experts , Depression Drugs , Antidepressants

I want to k now if anyone has taken Chantix and gotten seriously depressed after about a week or so? My doctor reassures me that Chantix will not cause depression or react with any other medications. I don't know if this is true or what to do about it!!

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Answers (2)

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Teri Robert

Yes, Chantix can cause depression. Here's some information from the label/prescribing info:

Neuropsychiatric Symptoms

Serious neuropsychiatric symptoms have occurred in patients being treated with CHANTIX. Some cases may have been complicated by the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal in patients who stopped smoking; however, some of these symptoms have occurred in patients who continued to smoke. All patients being treated with CHANTIX should be observed for neuropsychiatric symptoms including changes in behavior, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior. These symptoms, as well as worsening of pre-existing psychiatric illness, have been reported in some patients attempting to quit smoking while taking CHANTIX in the post-marketing experience. Patients with serious psychiatric illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder did not participate in the pre-marketing studies of CHANTIX and the safety and efficacy of CHANTIX in such patients has not been established.

Advise patients and caregivers that the patient should stop taking CHANTIX and contact a health care provider immediately if agitation, depressed mood, or changes in behavior that are not typical for the patient are observed, or if the patient develops suicidal ideation or suicidal behavior.

Also, virtually every drug has possible interactions with other medications. Chantix is no exception. It can interact with blood thinning drugs, insulin, and theophylline. You can read more in this Chantix Profile. I strongly suggest that you also read Chantix: Do Risks Outweigh Benefits?

I don't know what kind of relationship you have with your doctor, but the information he gave you about Chantix was clearly incorrect. Perhaps you should consider a new doctor?

Good luck,

Teri

Thank you for your input
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Friday, August 07, 2009

annie123

Yes, I do believe that Chantix does cause depression. I took Chantix back in April 2007 for 3 months and became very depressed. I went on a anti-depressant in July 2007 and started to feel better. I finally started feeling more like myself about one year later.