Comments on: Up In Smoke: Pfizer’s Chantix Sales Go Poof http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/07/up-in-smoke-pfizers-chantix-sales-go-poof/ News, Comment and Conversation Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:26:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: terri http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/07/up-in-smoke-pfizers-chantix-sales-go-poof/#comment-570909 terri Thu, 28 Oct 2010 20:26:10 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/?p=14767#comment-570909 Two completed Chantix scripts...two hospital stays. 1. taken by ambulance in middle of nite w/heart attack symptoms, stomach spasms as strong as contractions, mind-blowing headache...stayed a week - - diagnosis? - - possible virus. 2. took drive to rural area after silly argument w/adult daughter, downed 240 sleeping pills...woke up six days later surrounded by stunned family/friends. A vent breathed for me as my family watched in horror. For months prior to the "attempt" at the age of 55, I experienced for the first time....hallucinations. They were of deceased loved ones coming to my room at nite, trying to sell the beauty of Heaven to me and laughingly tried to CONVINCE me my job is done here. At that point, I was beyond exhausted and to stay...DID seem kind of silly. No one gets out alive. What am I doing taking up space? I wasn't depressed because of these visits...oh, no...I was IMpressed! They were soooo happy, healthy, and real. Soooo...real... It's been 2 1/2 years. Hurts like yesterday. The climb back has been horrendous, humbling, and extremely unnerving. I know NOW my thinking was so distorted, but yet, there wasn't a thing I could do to stop the spiral. The pill is potent, sneaky and thorough. Only God knows how/where you'll land. Two completed Chantix scripts…two hospital stays.

1. taken by ambulance in middle of nite w/heart attack symptoms, stomach spasms as strong as contractions, mind-blowing headache…stayed a week - - diagnosis? - - possible virus.

2. took drive to rural area after silly argument w/adult daughter, downed 240 sleeping pills…woke up six days later surrounded by stunned family/friends. A vent breathed for me as my family watched in horror.

For months prior to the “attempt” at the age of 55, I experienced for the first time….hallucinations. They were of deceased loved ones coming to my room at nite, trying to sell the beauty of Heaven to me and laughingly tried to CONVINCE me my job is done here. At that point, I was beyond exhausted and to stay…DID seem kind of silly. No one gets out alive. What am I doing taking up space? I wasn’t depressed because of these visits…oh, no…I was IMpressed! They were soooo happy, healthy, and real. Soooo…real…

It’s been 2 1/2 years. Hurts like yesterday. The climb back has been horrendous, humbling, and extremely unnerving. I know NOW my thinking was so distorted, but yet, there wasn’t a thing I could do to stop the spiral. The pill is potent, sneaky and thorough. Only God knows how/where you’ll land.

]]> By: Andy http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/07/up-in-smoke-pfizers-chantix-sales-go-poof/#comment-569080 Andy Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:29:18 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/?p=14767#comment-569080 Yes, Chantix is a potentially dangerous psychoactive drug for SOME PEOPLE. But for me (and many other ex smokers) who never thought they would be able to quit, its had phenomenal results. I have successfully quit smoking for 8 months now and will never start again. This drug has saved my future from being an old smoker laying in a hospital bed. Sure, if you have psychiatric issues already, it is definitely a bad idea to take a medication that could aggravate it. Just like if you have stomach problems already you would not take irritating pain killers even though they would work. Yes, Chantix is a potentially dangerous psychoactive drug for SOME PEOPLE. But for me (and many other ex smokers) who never thought they would be able to quit, its had phenomenal results. I have successfully quit smoking for 8 months now and will never start again. This drug has saved my future from being an old smoker laying in a hospital bed. Sure, if you have psychiatric issues already, it is definitely a bad idea to take a medication that could aggravate it. Just like if you have stomach problems already you would not take irritating pain killers even though they would work.

]]> By: John Beck Foreclosure http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/07/up-in-smoke-pfizers-chantix-sales-go-poof/#comment-407782 John Beck Foreclosure Fri, 29 May 2009 12:15:19 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/?p=14767#comment-407782 Wow great post! I love it, the information which you have posted is very useful for me and these posts has cleared all of mine queries related to real estate. Thank you a lot! Wow great post! I love it, the information which you have posted is very useful for me and these posts has cleared all of mine queries related to real estate. Thank you a lot!

]]> By: Paul M. Ingargiola http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/07/up-in-smoke-pfizers-chantix-sales-go-poof/#comment-389825 Paul M. Ingargiola Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:05:04 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/?p=14767#comment-389825 I started smoking at age 13. I quit smoking once after getting viral & bacterial pneumonia for about a month, 3 months while in boot camp and Advanced Military Training, but started right back up! Several people I knew started taking CHANTIX and I said they will never quit! The people I am referring to were heavy chain smokers, husband and wife 3 packs of generic lights a day each for over 45 years. They stopped after using CHANTIX for the 3 months. My Father stopped smoking after 3 months of using the drug. After seeing the success with people I had always known to smoke and saw the positive results, I decided to give it a try. My New Year's resolution was to quit smoking before age 30, 5 months away! I took CHANTIX 1 month 1 week, but did not follow the standard regiment. I weaned myself off of cigarettes slowly aver 3 weeks time till I was down for 2 packs a day to 1 pack every 3-4 days. I would have 1 cigarette left and not be running out to buy more. At this point I stopped buying them all together and put them down for good! I would probably still be smoking today if it wasn't for CHANTIX. One year after smoking cigarettes...and I have not cheated since I put them down while on the drug. I never had any dreams, psychosis, nausea, etc. But I always took it on a full stomach, and went into the regiment with a positive outlook. Listen I really hate big business, especially the US healthcare system, & Pharmacutical companies, but the BAD Press on this drug is complete garbage! Nicoteen is more addictive than Heroin, with that said don't you think that there will be side effects to quitting. Stop making excuses why you shouldn't quit, and or blaming CHANTIX for your nightmares, upset stomach, or irratic behaviour! Having Cancer, Enphysima, C.O.P.D, & many other Smoking related illnesses is a worse nightmare, & stomach turning ordeal. I am smoke free, and you can be too! Think about this mindf#%k...If you owned Philip Morris wouldn't you magnify the bad propaganda, and surpress the positive rusults. Findings are pointless, word of mouth is stronger! The statistics could be 99% positive results by FDA 1% negative, but for some reason only the bad stuff gets broadcasted in the media. The rumors probably got blown out of proportion after some idiot took it on an empty stomach, or had mental issues to beging with! If you are talking bad about CHANTIX, and scaring people from even trying it, you are influencing them to not quit. Just because you had a bad experience, or you know someone that knows someone that had a bad experience, doen't mean that's what happened or will happen with someone else. Stop being a Sh%t stirrer!!! If for every 1,000 people 998 that took CHANTIX quit. Two people may have had a bad experience on CHANTIX...One is probably doing something wrong (empty stomach etc.), One probably has legitimate problems with the drug. Hey Do and say what you want this is only my opinion! I started smoking at age 13. I quit smoking once after getting viral & bacterial pneumonia for about a month, 3 months while in boot camp and Advanced Military Training, but started right back up! Several people I knew started taking CHANTIX and I said they will never quit! The people I am referring to were heavy chain smokers, husband and wife 3 packs of generic lights a day each for over 45 years. They stopped after using CHANTIX for the 3 months. My Father stopped smoking after 3 months of using the drug. After seeing the success with people I had always known to smoke and saw the positive results, I decided to give it a try. My New Year’s resolution was to quit smoking before age 30, 5 months away! I took CHANTIX 1 month 1 week, but did not follow the standard regiment. I weaned myself off of cigarettes slowly aver 3 weeks time till I was down for 2 packs a day to 1 pack every 3-4 days. I would have 1 cigarette left and not be running out to buy more. At this point I stopped buying them all together and put them down for good! I would probably still be smoking today if it wasn’t for CHANTIX.
One year after smoking cigarettes…and I have not cheated since I put them down while on the drug. I never had any dreams, psychosis, nausea, etc. But I always took it on a full stomach, and went into the regiment with a positive outlook. Listen I really hate big business, especially the US healthcare system, & Pharmacutical companies, but the BAD Press on this drug is complete garbage! Nicoteen is more addictive than Heroin, with that said don’t you think that there will be side effects to quitting. Stop making excuses why you shouldn’t quit, and or blaming CHANTIX for your nightmares, upset stomach, or irratic behaviour! Having Cancer, Enphysima, C.O.P.D, & many other Smoking related illnesses is a worse nightmare, & stomach turning ordeal. I am smoke free, and you can be too! Think about this mindf#%k…If you owned Philip Morris wouldn’t you magnify the bad propaganda, and surpress the positive rusults. Findings are pointless, word of mouth is stronger! The statistics could be 99% positive results by FDA 1% negative, but for some reason only the bad stuff gets broadcasted in the media. The rumors probably got blown out of proportion after some idiot took it on an empty stomach, or had mental issues to beging with! If you are talking bad about CHANTIX, and scaring people from even trying it, you are influencing them to not quit. Just because you had a bad experience, or you know someone that knows someone that had a bad experience, doen’t mean that’s what happened or will happen with someone else. Stop being a Sh%t stirrer!!! If for every 1,000 people 998 that took CHANTIX quit. Two people may have had a bad experience on CHANTIX…One is probably doing something wrong (empty stomach etc.), One probably has legitimate problems with the drug. Hey Do and say what you want this is only my opinion!

]]> By: Alana http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/07/up-in-smoke-pfizers-chantix-sales-go-poof/#comment-387084 Alana Sat, 17 Jan 2009 20:24:27 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/?p=14767#comment-387084 I started smoking at 14. I am now 39 and quit smoking five months ago with Chantix. I tried so many times to quit, at least 5 attempts with nicotine replacement. Dozens of times cold turkey. I never made it past about 1 month nicotine free using nicotine replacement. Cold turkey never made it more than a day or two. When someone smoked near me or I smelled it.I wanted a cigarette so bad I thought I would go crazy. Chantix ended all of that. Every now and then I will "miss" smoking but I don't "need" a cigarette, more like missing an old friend. It would have never happened without chantix. Those that poo poo it in my circle, do not really want to quit. I can't speak for anyone else, this is just among my friends. I was nauseated (I did not take on a full stomach as directed) and had some really vivid dreams. Quitting smoking was worth a little upset stomach and crazy dreams. I am now 5 months smoke free something I truly thought would NEVER happen. Quitting without chantix is just to painful of a process. Maybe I am weak minded and that is why past quit attempts didn't work but that only goes to show that chantix does work. I started smoking at 14. I am now 39 and quit smoking five months ago with Chantix.

I tried so many times to quit, at least 5 attempts with nicotine replacement. Dozens of times cold turkey. I never made it past about 1 month nicotine free using nicotine replacement. Cold turkey never made it more than a day or two.

When someone smoked near me or I smelled it.I wanted a cigarette so bad I thought I would go crazy.

Chantix ended all of that. Every now and then I will “miss” smoking but I don’t “need” a cigarette, more like missing an old friend.

It would have never happened without chantix. Those that poo poo it in my circle, do not really want to quit. I can’t speak for anyone else, this is just among my friends.

I was nauseated (I did not take on a full stomach as directed) and had some really vivid dreams. Quitting smoking was worth a little upset stomach and crazy dreams.

I am now 5 months smoke free something I truly thought would NEVER happen. Quitting without chantix is just to painful of a process. Maybe I am weak minded and that is why past quit attempts didn’t work but that only goes to show that chantix does work.

]]> By: Pam http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/07/up-in-smoke-pfizers-chantix-sales-go-poof/#comment-378597 Pam Mon, 20 Oct 2008 05:53:34 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/?p=14767#comment-378597 Oh what a difference a year makes. From the Chantix website: Pfizer`s hopes rest largely on chantix. Statistics relating to Chantix sales reveal that in 2006 the sales of the drug was 101 million but in the initial period of 2007, Chantix sales rose significantly to $362 million . Further according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that till June 2007, 2.5 million smokers residing in the US have opted for Chantix prescription. However, Dean Smith, senior associate dean for administration at the School of Public Health , University of Michigan opines that if Chantix continues to show the same results, it is soon going to be labeled as a blockbuster drug and would prove tremendously money-spinning for its manufacturer Pfizer Incl. So, now that they've killed people in the U.S., they're moving on to "debut" in new countries? The Almighty Buck is the only thing that's important to these corrupt pharmaceutical companies. Lives are expendable so long as they can keep pushing their drugs. Even the FDA wrote me saying they thought the benefits outweighed the risks. Well, NOT IF YOU'RE ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO DIE OR WATCH THEIR LOVED ONE TURN LUNATIC AND GO BALLISTIC. Where the hell is the oversight of these drugs? Now they want to test 1 year olds for cholesterol and put them on meds by 8 years old? WHAT? They want us all to be thin, non-smoking, non-drinking blobs spaced out on drugs. I am sick to death of the corruption behind the greed. And our governments are in up to their necks in it. Have you SEEN how much the pharmaceuticals spend on lobbying? It's OBSCENE! Lobbying Top Industries Pharmaceuticals/Health Products $1,439,270,440 Insurance $1,096,146,248 Electric Utilities $985,473,737 Computers/Internet $807,596,171 Business Associations $742,441,001 Education $710,172,651 Real Estate $684,320,914 Oil & Gas $665,862,779 Hospitals/Nursing Homes $636,486,478 Misc Manufacturing & Distributing $601,216,686 Health Professionals $595,967,644 Civil Servants/Public Officials $557,877,331 Securities & Investment $551,384,250 TV/Movies/Music $537,846,140 Automotive $517,182,511 Air Transport $516,051,886 Misc Issues $501,304,008 Telecom Services & Equipment $492,172,866 Telephone Utilities $418,847,626 Defense Aerospace $400,824,698 Oh what a difference a year makes. From the Chantix website:
Pfizer`s hopes rest largely on chantix.

Statistics relating to Chantix sales reveal that in 2006 the sales of the drug was 101 million but in the initial period of 2007, Chantix sales rose significantly to $362 million . Further according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that till June 2007, 2.5 million smokers residing in the US have opted for Chantix prescription.

However, Dean Smith, senior associate dean for administration at the School of Public Health , University of Michigan opines that if Chantix continues to show the same results, it is soon going to be labeled as a blockbuster drug and would prove tremendously money-spinning for its manufacturer Pfizer Incl.

So, now that they’ve killed people in the U.S., they’re moving on to “debut” in new countries? The Almighty Buck is the only thing that’s important to these corrupt pharmaceutical companies. Lives are expendable so long as they can keep pushing their drugs. Even the FDA wrote me saying they thought the benefits outweighed the risks. Well, NOT IF YOU’RE ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO DIE OR WATCH THEIR LOVED ONE TURN LUNATIC AND GO BALLISTIC. Where the hell is the oversight of these drugs? Now they want to test 1 year olds for cholesterol and put them on meds by 8 years old? WHAT? They want us all to be thin, non-smoking, non-drinking blobs spaced out on drugs. I am sick to death of the corruption behind the greed. And our governments are in up to their necks in it. Have you SEEN how much the pharmaceuticals spend on lobbying? It’s OBSCENE!

Lobbying
Top Industries

Pharmaceuticals/Health Products
$1,439,270,440

Insurance
$1,096,146,248

Electric Utilities
$985,473,737

Computers/Internet
$807,596,171

Business Associations
$742,441,001

Education
$710,172,651

Real Estate
$684,320,914

Oil & Gas
$665,862,779

Hospitals/Nursing Homes
$636,486,478

Misc Manufacturing & Distributing
$601,216,686

Health Professionals
$595,967,644

Civil Servants/Public Officials
$557,877,331

Securities & Investment
$551,384,250

TV/Movies/Music
$537,846,140

Automotive
$517,182,511

Air Transport
$516,051,886

Misc Issues
$501,304,008

Telecom Services & Equipment
$492,172,866

Telephone Utilities
$418,847,626

Defense Aerospace
$400,824,698

]]> By: Linda http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/07/up-in-smoke-pfizers-chantix-sales-go-poof/#comment-378549 Linda Sun, 19 Oct 2008 17:39:24 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/?p=14767#comment-378549 As a 65 year old smoker who has not killed myself or anyone around me or that I have come into contact with, I think I will keep myself, family and friends safe by not taking chantix..simple, if somethings working, why damage it with Chantix. Somek-em if ya got-em :D As a 65 year old smoker who has not killed myself or anyone around me or that I have come into contact with, I think I will keep myself, family and friends safe by not taking chantix..simple, if somethings working, why damage it with Chantix. Somek-em if ya got-em :D

]]> By: Bill http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/07/up-in-smoke-pfizers-chantix-sales-go-poof/#comment-378547 Bill Sun, 19 Oct 2008 17:21:12 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/?p=14767#comment-378547 So,...“risk-benefit proposition” means what exactly? Continue enjoying tobacco and "risk" the alledged danger of contracting one or more afflictions from a wide range of "smoking related illnesses",....about 40 years from now,..OR,...undertake the Chantix regimen and KILL YOURSELF, or SOMEONE ELSE within two weeks of either starting, ..or stopping that regimen? Gee,..that's a seriously tough decision. The bennefits of both options are so very tempting, ......I'll have to give that CHOICE the full 10 seconds of serious thought it deserves. So,…“risk-benefit proposition” means what exactly?

Continue enjoying tobacco and “risk” the alledged danger of contracting one or more afflictions from a wide range of “smoking related illnesses”,….about 40 years from now,..OR,…undertake the Chantix regimen and KILL YOURSELF, or SOMEONE ELSE within two weeks of either starting, ..or stopping that regimen? Gee,..that’s a seriously tough decision. The bennefits of both options are so very tempting, ……I’ll have to give that CHOICE the full 10 seconds of serious thought it deserves.

]]> By: SStahl http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/07/up-in-smoke-pfizers-chantix-sales-go-poof/#comment-378537 SStahl Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:16:13 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/?p=14767#comment-378537 Amazing how anyone who doesn't push unsafe drugs is automatically a "tobacco shill". Even the FAA has banned its use for pilots. This drug has a worse reputaion for negative health effects--and certainly negative psychological effects--than smoking! The fact is that not all smokers devlop "smoking related diseases". So, if we can give a stamp of approval for Chantix because "not all drugs are good for everyone", then we could also give a stamp of approval for smoking because "not all tobacco products are good for everyone". Stupid. Back in the land of rational thought, of course this drug should be taken off the market immediately! Amazing how anyone who doesn’t push unsafe drugs is automatically a “tobacco shill”. Even the FAA has banned its use for pilots. This drug has a worse reputaion for negative health effects–and certainly negative psychological effects–than smoking! The fact is that not all smokers devlop “smoking related diseases”. So, if we can give a stamp of approval for Chantix because “not all drugs are good for everyone”, then we could also give a stamp of approval for smoking because “not all tobacco products are good for everyone”. Stupid. Back in the land of rational thought, of course this drug should be taken off the market immediately!

]]> By: Musician http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/07/up-in-smoke-pfizers-chantix-sales-go-poof/#comment-378536 Musician Sun, 19 Oct 2008 13:57:27 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/?p=14767#comment-378536 This drug should go the way of Redux/Phen Fen and Vioxx and be taken off the market immediately before there are more tragic stories concerning its use. This drug should go the way of Redux/Phen Fen and Vioxx and be taken off the market immediately before there are more tragic stories concerning its use.

]]>