FDA Warns Chantix May Up Heart Risk

A meta-analysis ordered by the agency and conducted by drugmaker Pfizer found a higher occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events — including death, MI, and stroke — with the drug than with placebo.

The FDA noted, however, that such events were uncommon in both groups, and the increased risk wasn’t statistically significant.

via Chantix May Up Heart Risk, FDA Warns.

Quitting smoking is good.  Maybe quitting smoking without a pharmaceutical assist is better.  Additional link to the FDA release follows.

Safety Alerts for Human Medical Products > Chantix (Varenicline): Safety Communication – Updated Safety Review On The Risk of Cardiovascular Adverse Events.

The Lesser of Two Evils

Back in May the FDA released an advisory on Chantix. The same month a study from The Institute for Safe Medication Practices shed light on the numbers:

  • 544 reports suggesting Chantix may be related to a loss of glycemic control
  • 224 reports classified as potential cardiac rhythm disturbances
  • From May 2006 through December 2007, the FDA received 227 reports of suicidal acts, thoughts or behaviors, 397 cases of possible psychosis and 525 reports of hostility or aggression.

I think I’d rather keep smoking.