Scientists and researchers from the Palo Alto Centre for
Pulmonary Disease Prevention and the St. Helena Hospital in
Napa, Calif., recently discovered that individuals who
currently smoke are more likely to be more addicted to
nicotine and will actually find it more difficult to quit
smoking than smokers from two decades ago.
Researchers studied the "pre-treatment severity of nicotine
dependence" of individuals in three studies that occurred
from 1989 to 2006. Researchers found that the number of
individuals who are highly addicted to nicotine rose 17.5
percent during the years of the study. The study also
reported that "severe nicotine addiction had gone up
between 1989 and 2006 and the percentage of smokers
classified as highly nicotine dependent, as much as 32
percent," according to statistics obtained from the study.
Unfortunately, researchers were unable to provide any
reasoning behind the increase of nicotine addiction, but
were able to conclusively explain that individuals with
less of a nicotine addiction were much more successful at
quitting smoking and found doing so easier than others with
higher nicotine addictions.
Smoking Cessation Drugs
According to the medical journal the American Academy of
Family Physicians (AAFP), there are several stages and
pharmaceutical aids for an individual when quitting
smoking. Once an individual gets to the stage of actionable
cessation, they will find an array of nicotine replacement
therapies to help them ease off of their nicotine
addiction. Some of these drugs include:
* nicotine patch
* nicotine gum
* nicotine inhaler
* nicotine nasal spray
* buproprion
* silver acetate
* alpraxolam (Xanax)
* clonidine (catapres)
* mecamylamine (Inversine)
Quitting Comes With A Price
There are a few drugs that may pose serious side effects in
addition to the list of nicotine withdrawal signs and
symptoms, which include the following, according to the
AAFP:
* increased appetite
* food cravings
* restlessness
* difficulty concentrating
* anxiety
* decreased heart rate
* irritability
Of the smoking-cessation drugs, one has become quite
problematic with its side effects causing harm to patients
unknowingly. Chantix or Champix, also known as Varenicline
Tartrate from Pfizer, recently went under investigation for
its potential link to suicide and suicidal thoughts among
patients.
The drug was introduced after U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) approval on May 10, 2006. In November
2007, hundreds of reports of psychotic episodes and
depressive thoughts flooded the offices of the FDA. There
were also approximately 37 suicides allegedly caused by the
Chantix side effects.
However, the drug is currently still on the market after a
February 1, 2008 public health advisory from the FDA
reported changes to the drug's label to include the
potential for mood changes, but the FDA found that evidence
was inconclusive with regards to recalling the drug from
shelves.
According to the drug's new label, the following are
potential Chantix side effects:
* nausea
* trouble sleeping
* vivid/unusual/strange dreams
* constipation
* gas
* vomiting
Additionally, the label now includes a warning that advises
patients who develop potential mood disorders to
discontinue use of the drug and seek out a mental health
professional or a physician immediately. According to
Pfizer, some of the important mood changes to watch for
include:
* agitation
* depressed mood
* changes in behavior
* depression
* suicidal thoughts
* suicidal tendencies and actions
Overcoming Non-Smoking Drug Dangers
Individuals who have suffered from the serious Chantix side
effects should consider consulting a pharmaceutical
attorney who can provide insightful details into developing
a Chantix class action lawsuit, which may offer monetary
compensation as an award for the dangers surrounding the
smoking cessation drug. Additionally, by contacting an
experienced pharmaceutical law firm, a free legal
consultation will likely be provided to better assist a
victim who has suffered physically, mentally and monetarily.
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For more information on Chantix, visit
http://chantix.legalview.com/ . Additional information can
be found on an array of other legal topics at
http://www.LegalView.com including the latest on
mesothelioma treatments as well as the Avandia risks.
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