Chantix may cause heart attacks

[Guest guest]

http://news.consumerreports.org/health/2011/06/chantix-may-cause-heart-attacks.h\

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Drug safety

Chantix may cause heart attacks

Jun 22, 2011 11:00 AM



The drug varenicline—sold under the brand name Chantix and used to help

smokers quit—may increase the risk of heart problems, the FDA has warned.

Varenicline more than doubles a smoker’s chance of quitting compared with

willpower alone, but it has side effects. More than 1 in 10 people taking it

feel nauseated, have trouble sleeping, get strange dreams, or get a headache.

Some people have reported changes in mood or even suicidal feelings with the

drug, although a 2009 study didn't find any link between varenicline and

suicidal thoughts.

Now, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that varenicline may

increase the risk of heart problems.

In a year-long study of people trying to quit smoking, 2 in 100 people taking

varenicline had a heart attack, compared with 1 in 100 people taking an inactive

(placebo) treatment. And just over 2 in 100 people taking varenicline needed

surgery to widen an artery and restore the blood flow to their heart, compared

with 1 in 100 people taking a placebo. None of the people who had heart attacks

died.

The FDA based their warning on a good-quality study. However, even with 700

people taking part, the study may not be big enough to distinguish between a

real increase in risk and random variation. To make sure the results aren’t a

statistical fluke, the FDA has asked Pfizer (varenicline’s manufacturer) to

combine data from all the available studies. This should give us a better idea

of the side effects varenicline can cause, and the FDA promises an update when

the research is complete.

Bottom line: Smoking causes lots of health problems, including cancer, damage to

blood vessels, and heart attacks. Even if varenicline does have some risks, they

may be outweighed by the benefits of stopping smoking. Your doctor can help you

weigh the risks and benefits. Alternatives to varenicline include bupropion and

nicotine replacement products.

You can report side effects of varenicline, or any drug, on the FDA's website.

Source

Chantix (varenicline) may increase the risk of certain cardiovascular adverse

events in patients with cardiovascular disease [u.S. Food and Drug

Administration]

—Philip , BMJ Group

ConsumerReportsHealth.org has partnered with The BMJ Group to monitor the latest

medical research and assess the evidence to help you decide which news you

should use

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

[Guest guest]

http://news.consumerreports.org/health/2011/06/chantix-may-cause-heart-attacks.h\

tml

Drug safety

Chantix may cause heart attacks

Jun 22, 2011 11:00 AM



The drug varenicline—sold under the brand name Chantix and used to help

smokers quit—may increase the risk of heart problems, the FDA has warned.

Varenicline more than doubles a smoker’s chance of quitting compared with

willpower alone, but it has side effects. More than 1 in 10 people taking it

feel nauseated, have trouble sleeping, get strange dreams, or get a headache.

Some people have reported changes in mood or even suicidal feelings with the

drug, although a 2009 study didn't find any link between varenicline and

suicidal thoughts.

Now, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that varenicline may

increase the risk of heart problems.

In a year-long study of people trying to quit smoking, 2 in 100 people taking

varenicline had a heart attack, compared with 1 in 100 people taking an inactive

(placebo) treatment. And just over 2 in 100 people taking varenicline needed

surgery to widen an artery and restore the blood flow to their heart, compared

with 1 in 100 people taking a placebo. None of the people who had heart attacks

died.

The FDA based their warning on a good-quality study. However, even with 700

people taking part, the study may not be big enough to distinguish between a

real increase in risk and random variation. To make sure the results aren’t a

statistical fluke, the FDA has asked Pfizer (varenicline’s manufacturer) to

combine data from all the available studies. This should give us a better idea

of the side effects varenicline can cause, and the FDA promises an update when

the research is complete.

Bottom line: Smoking causes lots of health problems, including cancer, damage to

blood vessels, and heart attacks. Even if varenicline does have some risks, they

may be outweighed by the benefits of stopping smoking. Your doctor can help you

weigh the risks and benefits. Alternatives to varenicline include bupropion and

nicotine replacement products.

You can report side effects of varenicline, or any drug, on the FDA's website.

Source

Chantix (varenicline) may increase the risk of certain cardiovascular adverse

events in patients with cardiovascular disease [u.S. Food and Drug

Administration]

—Philip , BMJ Group

ConsumerReportsHealth.org has partnered with The BMJ Group to monitor the latest

medical research and assess the evidence to help you decide which news you

should use

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

[Guest guest]

http://news.consumerreports.org/health/2011/06/chantix-may-cause-heart-attacks.h\

tml

Drug safety

Chantix may cause heart attacks

Jun 22, 2011 11:00 AM



The drug varenicline—sold under the brand name Chantix and used to help

smokers quit—may increase the risk of heart problems, the FDA has warned.

Varenicline more than doubles a smoker’s chance of quitting compared with

willpower alone, but it has side effects. More than 1 in 10 people taking it

feel nauseated, have trouble sleeping, get strange dreams, or get a headache.

Some people have reported changes in mood or even suicidal feelings with the

drug, although a 2009 study didn't find any link between varenicline and

suicidal thoughts.

Now, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that varenicline may

increase the risk of heart problems.

In a year-long study of people trying to quit smoking, 2 in 100 people taking

varenicline had a heart attack, compared with 1 in 100 people taking an inactive

(placebo) treatment. And just over 2 in 100 people taking varenicline needed

surgery to widen an artery and restore the blood flow to their heart, compared

with 1 in 100 people taking a placebo. None of the people who had heart attacks

died.

The FDA based their warning on a good-quality study. However, even with 700

people taking part, the study may not be big enough to distinguish between a

real increase in risk and random variation. To make sure the results aren’t a

statistical fluke, the FDA has asked Pfizer (varenicline’s manufacturer) to

combine data from all the available studies. This should give us a better idea

of the side effects varenicline can cause, and the FDA promises an update when

the research is complete.

Bottom line: Smoking causes lots of health problems, including cancer, damage to

blood vessels, and heart attacks. Even if varenicline does have some risks, they

may be outweighed by the benefits of stopping smoking. Your doctor can help you

weigh the risks and benefits. Alternatives to varenicline include bupropion and

nicotine replacement products.

You can report side effects of varenicline, or any drug, on the FDA's website.

Source

Chantix (varenicline) may increase the risk of certain cardiovascular adverse

events in patients with cardiovascular disease [u.S. Food and Drug

Administration]

—Philip , BMJ Group

ConsumerReportsHealth.org has partnered with The BMJ Group to monitor the latest

medical research and assess the evidence to help you decide which news you

should use

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

[Guest guest]

http://news.consumerreports.org/health/2011/06/chantix-may-cause-heart-attacks.h\

tml

Drug safety

Chantix may cause heart attacks

Jun 22, 2011 11:00 AM



The drug varenicline—sold under the brand name Chantix and used to help

smokers quit—may increase the risk of heart problems, the FDA has warned.

Varenicline more than doubles a smoker’s chance of quitting compared with

willpower alone, but it has side effects. More than 1 in 10 people taking it

feel nauseated, have trouble sleeping, get strange dreams, or get a headache.

Some people have reported changes in mood or even suicidal feelings with the

drug, although a 2009 study didn't find any link between varenicline and

suicidal thoughts.

Now, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that varenicline may

increase the risk of heart problems.

In a year-long study of people trying to quit smoking, 2 in 100 people taking

varenicline had a heart attack, compared with 1 in 100 people taking an inactive

(placebo) treatment. And just over 2 in 100 people taking varenicline needed

surgery to widen an artery and restore the blood flow to their heart, compared

with 1 in 100 people taking a placebo. None of the people who had heart attacks

died.

The FDA based their warning on a good-quality study. However, even with 700

people taking part, the study may not be big enough to distinguish between a

real increase in risk and random variation. To make sure the results aren’t a

statistical fluke, the FDA has asked Pfizer (varenicline’s manufacturer) to

combine data from all the available studies. This should give us a better idea

of the side effects varenicline can cause, and the FDA promises an update when

the research is complete.

Bottom line: Smoking causes lots of health problems, including cancer, damage to

blood vessels, and heart attacks. Even if varenicline does have some risks, they

may be outweighed by the benefits of stopping smoking. Your doctor can help you

weigh the risks and benefits. Alternatives to varenicline include bupropion and

nicotine replacement products.

You can report side effects of varenicline, or any drug, on the FDA's website.

Source

Chantix (varenicline) may increase the risk of certain cardiovascular adverse

events in patients with cardiovascular disease [u.S. Food and Drug

Administration]

—Philip , BMJ Group

ConsumerReportsHealth.org has partnered with The BMJ Group to monitor the latest

medical research and assess the evidence to help you decide which news you

should use

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T