Widow Sues Pfizer Over Chantix Suicide
7 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // July 10th, 2008 // 12:43 pm
On January 3, David Collins killed himself with a shotgun, three months after he began taking Chantix, Pfizer’s controversial smoking-cessation pill. Now, his widow, Linda, has filed what may be the first product-liability lawsuit against the drugmaker over Chantix side effects and an alleged failure to provide sufficient warnings. And her lawyer predicts many more such lawsuits are on the way.
In her lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Indianapolis, Collins claims Pfizer failed to adequately study Chantix; delayed publication of studies containing Chantix risk info; failed to update Chantix labeling sooner, and denied Chantix is explicity to blame for suicide by instead suggesting such behavior may be the result of nicotine withdrawal. Here is the lawsuit.
“The magnitude of the safety signal associated with the risk is alarming,” Kristian Rasmussen, one of Collins’ lawyers, tells us. Prior to the suicide, David Collins exhibited aggression and had strange dreams, but had no history of mental illness. Pfizer has been criticized for not including people with mental illness in its clinical trials, because the drug causes neuropsychiatric side effects.
You may recall the FDA, last February, issued a health advisory about Chantix concerning ties to the side effects, shortly after Pfizer upgraded the labeling. At the time, the FDA reported 39 suicides and 491 cases of suicidal behavior or thoughts.
Since then, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices issued a report showing nearly 1,000 serious side effects of various sorts were reported concerning Chantix, prompting federal agencies to ban use of the drug by pilots and truck drivers. Pfizer responded with a publicity campaign.
A Pfizer spokesman send us this statement: “Pfizer is aware that a lawsuit has been filed in federal court in Indianapolis, Indiana, but we have not been served with a copy of the complaint. Pfizer will file a formal response to the lawsuit at the appropriate time.
“Pfizer believes that it has acted responsibly, appropriately and in the best interests of patient safety at all times in connection with its smoking cessation aid Chantix. Approximately 7.5 million people worldwide have taken Chantix since its approval in 2006.
“Pfizer reviews the risks and benefits of all of its products, including Chantix, on a continuing basis. Based on Pfizer’s review of the available safety information, including certain neuropsychiatric adverse event reports received to date, we believe the Chantix label accurately reflects the product’s efficacy and safety profile, thereby facilitating appropriate use by physicians and patients. It’s important to note that a causal relationship between these reports and the use of Chantix has not been established.”
Sam
http://www.psychdrugdangers.com/VareniclineSuicides.html
232 cases of suicidal ideation, 6 attempted suicides and 29 completed suicides were reported to the FDA’s MedWatch system in late 2006 through 2007 where Chantix was identified as the Primary Suspect Drug. Also included were numerous reports of suicidal ideation dechallenge (dechallenge is the medical term for an adverse reaction abating or ceasing when a medication is stopped).
John Q
It really is amazing how Pfizer would like everyone to believe suicide is a normal behavior from nicotine withdrawals. Even when you commission top smoking cessation experts to reiterate the safety of this drug over and over, it does not actually stop the AEs from occurring.
Pfizer is so stuck on that magic number of 7.5 million worldwide that apparently a few people(to them anyway)do not matter. There was a delay of neuropsychiatric events being reported after use of this drug, and even now these reports are questioned.
This legal action was only a matter of time.
Doug Collins
I would like for some of you doctors to tell us if they have ever prescribed chantix to there family members.{In the last six months} If this is so safe.. why do they not alow pilots and truck drivers to take this medicaction. Are there lives more important than others? The V.A. is looking in to the problem of suicide while on this drug also. How many of our troops have died from complications from Chantix,that have blamed on other things.I can not wait to see the law suits.. I have lost my brother to this drug. This drug is very dangerous…CHANTIX…Killed my brother..
truthman30
Looks like we have another Paxil scenario all over again..
Very sad that peoples lives are seen as just statistical..
James R
I took Chantix last November. During the first week, I had nightmares, confusion, weird thoughts, hallucinations, and suicidal ideations. Then I started having seizures, (I immediately stopped taking the medicine). Suddenly, I could not work, I could not drive,and I was fearful that the effects of this drug were permanent. I had to call my parents to come and help me with my four children. After many years taking care of them, I could not function because I was in no shape to take care of myself, let alone the children. I have had problems convincing my doctors that Chantix had a role in my unusual behavior. I still think that everybody should stop smoking However, taking this medicine while having public safety responsibilities is very risky, at best.
Monyonyo
Were you taking any antidepressants while taking Chantix?
Garland McLaurin
Hello my name is Garland McLaurin, I’m am working on a story about the issue of Chantix and suicides.
I would like to talk to anyone effected by the drug. Please email me at
gmclaurin@newsproject.org so that we can talk, I would love to talk to James R and Doug Collins on the message board.