Bipolar Disorder Does Not Mix With The Stop Smoking Drug CHANTIX

August 2, 2008 · Filed Under Medicine · Comment 

I have heard this from several great sources.

The Stop Smoking Aid CHANTIX should not be used by anyone with Bipolar Disorder

This is pretty much all all over the internet, and it is no secret anymore.

CHANTIX is a very dangerous drug for people who have bipolar disorder, and possibly you if your loved one is trying to quit smoking, or thinking about it and is taking, or thinking of taking this drug.

If they are, you need to know what to look for.

The normal side effects are: nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbance, constipation, and flatulence.  The sleep disturbance they’re talking about is weird or vivid dreams.

Now, those were the “normal” (usual) side effects.  They used to include migraines as well, but they don’t put
that on the new package inserts, but you need to watch out for that, too, if your loved one is prone to having
migraines.

Here’s where you especially need to watch your loved one, because the package insert says (and I quote):

Adverse Reactions for Psychiatric

Disorders:

“Frequent: Anxiety, Depression, Emotional disorder, Irritability, Restlessness.

Infrequent: Aggression, Agitation, Disorientation, Dissociation, Libido decreased, Mood swings, Thinking abnormal.

Rare: Bradyphrenia, Euphoric mood, Hallucination, Psychotic disorder, Suicidal ideation.

So this isn’t just coming from me. I had someone tell me they even called the drug company to complain that it doesn’t warn you on the package insert, and the man said it does tell the doctor to watch you closely if they do prescribe it.

But how many doctors read the package insert?

How many have the time to read every package insert for every single drug they prescribe?

Chantix is supposed to be a good drug to help people stop smoking.  And maybe it is, for most people.

But for people who have bipolar disorder, it is a very, very dangerous, even fatal drug (according to reports on the internet).

So if your loved one is trying to stop smoking and is taking Chantix, and you notice signs/symptoms of their bipolar disorder acting up, tell them to check with their doctor (who will either reduce their dose or tell them to stop taking it), and watch them very, very closely for signs of a bipolar episode.

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The info above was taken from one of the greatest Bipolar teachers on the Internet today David Oliver.

Check out David’s website here

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