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What Are The Side Effects Of Chantix?
Question: my friend is taking Chantix and I have noticed some really bad changes in her personality. she is too the point that she believes that people are doing things too her that I find highly unusual. I want too help her but I am afraid that if I approach her with this information that I found out about Chantix side effects that she wont believe me. any suggestions.
Brief Answer:
Please see below for details
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I read your query in detail and do appreciate your concern for your friend. Chantix (Varenicline) is a medicine used for nicotine addiction which acts by reducing craving for nicotine.
I would have liked to know how long your friends is taking varenicline for and what is the dose she is currently taking. Varenicline does cause behavioral side effects, more commonly irritability and depression. In rare cases, it has been reported to cause psychotic symptoms like hallucinations or delusions. It also cause worsening of symptoms in patients who already have some psychiatric disorder.
Your friend having a change in behavior in form of becoming suspicious can be attributed to psychotic symptoms. However, it will need a detailed evaluation for exactly understanding her symptoms and to determine if that is due to varenicline or any other cause.
I would suggest that you talk to your friend to discuss about the drug with the physician who have prescribed it. The physician will be in a better state to explain about the possible effects of the drug to your friend, and your problem regarding her believing the information can also be sorted out. If the physician is not a psychiatrist, I would further advise a psychiatric consultation for your friend for instituting required management for her symptoms.
Hope I have been able to answer your query. In case of any further questions, please feel free to ask. I would be glad to help you.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Please see below for details
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I read your query in detail and do appreciate your concern for your friend. Chantix (Varenicline) is a medicine used for nicotine addiction which acts by reducing craving for nicotine.
I would have liked to know how long your friends is taking varenicline for and what is the dose she is currently taking. Varenicline does cause behavioral side effects, more commonly irritability and depression. In rare cases, it has been reported to cause psychotic symptoms like hallucinations or delusions. It also cause worsening of symptoms in patients who already have some psychiatric disorder.
Your friend having a change in behavior in form of becoming suspicious can be attributed to psychotic symptoms. However, it will need a detailed evaluation for exactly understanding her symptoms and to determine if that is due to varenicline or any other cause.
I would suggest that you talk to your friend to discuss about the drug with the physician who have prescribed it. The physician will be in a better state to explain about the possible effects of the drug to your friend, and your problem regarding her believing the information can also be sorted out. If the physician is not a psychiatrist, I would further advise a psychiatric consultation for your friend for instituting required management for her symptoms.
Hope I have been able to answer your query. In case of any further questions, please feel free to ask. I would be glad to help you.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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