Dying For a Ciggie: How the Wonder Drug to Quit Smoking Makes You Quit Life
There have been stern warnings against a new wonder drug available which has been reportedly sent it's takers over the edge - the pill has been said to bring on feelings of suicide in those wanting to quit the weed
We give up for a multitude of reasons - some for ourselves, and others for those we love around us, yet a new drug on the block has proved to give the taker more than what is bargained for - you don't just want to kick the habit of a lifetime, you want to quit life itself.
The alarming new discovery has come to light since a new report out this week warns of the drug's suicidal tendencies.
According to the UK's medicines watchdog, the MHRA, the drug has come under the medical spotlight as rumours spread of the drug triggering thoughts in the brain of suicide.
So far, the watchdog claims that around 839 cases have already been confirmed by takers of the
"Champix" drug that suicide was seriously considered by them.
Within this figure, 50 patients calmly admitted they suffered with depression whilst on the drug to quit smoking, yet these people also had a history of mental health problems anyway, yet there were also another 16 who felt so down that they wanted to take their own lives.
Yet it is not in just the UK where the alarm bells have started to ring - the US group have also homed in on the dangers of the drug and what it does to affect the mind so.
The drug is a very recent member to join the long line of so called "wonder drugs" to hit our shelves promising us a smoke free future. Famous company, Pfizer, who make the drug, has only had the drug out for use within the last year.
Thankfully there appears to be only one type of drug such as this which stimulates the part of the brain which wants nicotine as well as also dulls the craving for a cigarette. Thus giving the brain what the mind thinks is nicotine yet it actually isn't.
So what are the results for quitting smoking for this drug? Well, trials have confirmed that around 44 per cent of smokers actually gave up within 12 weeks of taking the drug only twice every day. This figure is compared to those who where only given a placebo (18 per cent) and those who took another drug, bupropion, (30 per cent).
At the beginning of the trails, many complained of feeling sick when taking the drug initially. This was not a surprise, in fact, it was mentioned along with 182 other complaints which were known to be other side effects of the drug.
Other takers complained of "abnormal dreams, 49 of dizziness, 37 of fatigue, 82 of headaches, 21 of drowsiness and 67 of vomiting."
So far in the UK, it is thought that around 15,000 and 20,000 may be taking the drug now, yet the suicidal thoughts may only be felt by those who already have some sort of psychiatric history.
It is with this in mind, that it has been decided that no action should be taken, only yet another small warning on the side of the box for those who may be partial to take their own lives....
In a particular statement from Pfizer, they said:
"There is no scientific evidence establishing a causal relationship between varenicline and the post-marketing report events. Quitting smoking, with or without treatment, is associated with nicotine withdrawal symptoms and has also been associated with the exacerbation of underlying psychiatric illness."
