Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Health Canada Reminds Canadians of Important Safety Information For the Smoking-Cessation Aid Champix

From Health Canada:
Health Canada is reminding Canadians who are taking, or considering taking, the smoking-cessation aid Champix of important safety information for this product. Health Canada is also informing Canadians that it is in the process of further strengthening the labelling for the drug with respect to the risk of serious psychiatric adverse effects.

While Champix (the brand name for varenicline tartrate) can be an effective tool for quitting smoking when used as part of a support program, there have been reports in some patients of unusual feelings of agitation, depressed mood, hostility, changes in behaviour, or impulsive or disturbing thoughts such as thoughts of self-harm or harm to others. It is unclear at this time whether Champix is the cause of these psychiatric symptoms. ...more

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