Although psychosis may be a rare side effect of Chantix (also known as Varenicline), it definitely can and does occur. An addition, Chantix has been associated with other psychiatric symptoms including: sad and depressed feelings, anxious and nervous feelings, mood swings, irritability, anger, aggression, and suicidal ideation. Apparently, there are been a number of reports in Britain of Chantix users experiencing depression and suicidal thoughts. Many of those patients had psychiatric disorders prior to taking Chantix. The FDA has taken an interest in these adverse reactions to Chantix. The action of Varenicline in brain is paradoxical in that it both blocks and stimulates nicotinic receptors simultaneously in the brain. How often do these psychiatric side effects occur? Unfortunately, there isn’t any reliable data that we know of that gives a precise idea about the incidence of these side effects.
The Bottom Line: Although the psychiatric side effects of Chantix may be uncommon, they can be signficant.
Dr. Jeffrey Speller
Dr. Tanya Korkosz
Psychopharmacology Associates
of New England
www.psychopharmassociates.com