Comments on: FDA Announces New Warnings on Chantix, Zyban and Wellbutrin

By: Heather

Heather — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:58:43 +0000

I am on day 11 of using Chantix. I smoked the first 7 days since it is allowed, then stopped on the eighth day. I was a 1/2 pack a day smoker for 30 years. During the first week, I smoked less without even trying. It’s only been 4 days, and I do have some cravings for a cigarette, but it is the normal triggers that cause them…after eating, talking on the phone, driving in the car. This is the first time these urges have been manageable and I have very little will power, I am also on Wellbutrin for depression. I’ve had some weird dreams, but nothing scary. I’ve had some issues sleeping, but I always have had sporadic bouts of insomnia. I have not experienced any unusual smells and I rarely drink so can’t comment on using alcohol while taking it.. I am very concerned about relapsing when I do have drinks or am around smokers so I’m keeping away from thise situations.

By: Bama

Bama — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:40:10 +0000

I took bupropion for approx. 5 wks for depression and developed a smell like car exhaust in my nostrils. I’ve been off the drug since July and I still smell this unpleasant odor. My psychiatrist, who prescribed the drug, declines any knowledge of this side effect and has “never heard of such a thing”. I wonder if anyone else has had this experience. Wonder what to do to get rid of this.

By: sandy

sandy — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:44:00 +0000

I would like to know about chantix and alcohol

By: Sue Howley

Sue Howley — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:35:14 +0000

Further to my previous comment. I took it a second time having relapsed several years later. This time I was well aware of how it might make me feel. Forewarned is forearmed as they say.

I tried staying on half dose but even on the reduced loading it began having the same effect so this time I stopped taking it at the end of week 2. By which time, I’d stopped smoking so job done.

By: Sue Howley

Sue Howley — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:29:38 +0000

I tried Zyban (buproprion) twice as a smoking cessation strategy. It really helped me to quit. It also me feel quite stimulated.

At first this was quite nice, lots of energy,despite the disturbed sleep. As each day progressed, however, the feeling became less pleasant. Two weeks in and I was feeling totally wound up, having a hard time controlling my temper. I’m not known for displays of anger, let alone full blown rage.

By week 3, I’d had two nasty arguments with close friends within days of each other. I just had to stop taking it as the rage I was feeling was so disproportional to the provocation that I didn’t recognise myself anymore. I was like a person possessed.

I am by the way of sound mind, Rita. This is just the way it affects some people. I think there’s a role for these drugs to play in smoking cessation but people need to realise it doesn’t necessarily suit everyone and to stop taking it if it starts affecting them like this.

By: Heart Palpitations, Slow Heart Rate, Low Blood Pressure: Symptoms or Side Effects?

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:25:19 +0000

[...] Wellbutrin (bupropion) is used to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Under the brand name [...]

By: Suicidal Thoughts and Rage: What are Causing Your Symptoms of Side Effects

Suicidal Thoughts and Rage: What are Causing Your Symptoms of Side Effects — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:44:03 +0000

[...] Lyme disease, or could be side effects associated with certain medications, such as Chantix and Welbutrin. Below is a list of diseases and conditions associated with symptoms like Suicidal Thoughts and [...]

By: E. Sizemore

E. Sizemore — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:44:39 +0000

The FDA recently stated that analysis of data shows these major side effects can start happening AFTER patients stop taking the drug in rare cases. See the link in paragraph #2 regarding Chantix, Zyban, Wellbutrin and other varenicline and bupropion drugs used to help you quit smoking.

By: Twitches, Shakes and Tremors: What’s Causing Your Symptoms or Side Effects

Twitches, Shakes and Tremors: What’s Causing Your Symptoms or Side Effects — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 02:09:51 +0000

[...] Wellbutrin is used to treat depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), attention deficit hyperactivity [...]

By: judy

judy — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 13:47:18 +0000

It does not say in the instructions weather you can smoke while taking chantix are you supposed to just take the 1st pill and not smoke again I find that hard to believe. If someone could answer this question for me I would appreciate it for I have not started the meds yet 8/16/09

By: Rita St. Clair

Rita St. Clair — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 05:15:41 +0000

I was a 2 pack a day smoker for a long time and enjoyed every one that I smoked until last January when a 60 year old friend of mine died from emphysema. He was carrying an oxygen tank around with him and continued to smoke until he died. I started thinking about quitting at that time but didn’t because I enjoyed it so much and it helped keep me from putting on weight which is something women do not want to do. I would smoke instead of eat. Being 65 years old and also diabetic, I talked with my doctor in April, 2008, about a drug called Chantix that a friend of mine had taken and had quit smoking. My doctor wrote me a prescription for Chantix and I held onto it for a while as I was not sure I wanted to quit smoking. The pamphlet in the Chantix package said to choose a certain date to start the Chantix and start on that date. It also stated that you could smoke the first week that you were taking Chantix but not to smoke and take it after the first week. Well, I chose May 1 as my start date. By May 3, I did not want to smell smoke, see a cigarette, smell anyone who smoked, or have anything to do with cigarettes. It was amazing how it worked on me. Someone who didn’t think she would ever quit and really didn’t plan to until my friend died.
I know that the FDA has said that Chantix is not really something they want to leave on the market but I surely hope that anyone who might read this and really, truly feels that they are of sound mind would not go wrong by taking Chantix. I only had one of the symptoms and that was the lucid dreams. I normally don’t dream at all but I had several wild and crazy dreams while I was on the Chantix.
I am so thankful that I have been quit now for 14 months and don’t even think about smoking. As a matter of fact, I sometimes wonder how I ever smoked at all. I don’t worry about getting close to people because I know that I don’t smell like smoke and my husband says he doesn’t have to smell my smoky hair at night in the bed (LOL). Thank you, Chantix, and I hope the FDA leaves you alone.