Study Reveals Chantix Unlikely to Cause Suicide Risk

A study completed by the U.K’s drug regulatory agency and the University of Bristol revealed that the risk of suicide and suicidal tendencies thought to be caused by the use of Chantix, an antismoking medication, is minimal.

The study examined data from a medical registry of approximately 3.6 million people in the U.K. and identified 80,660 adults who were prescribed antismoking medications between September 2006 and May 2008. The study compared patients using Chantix (approximately 11,000 people) to those using the drug Zyban (approximately 6,400 people) and nicotine-replacement therapy (approximately 75 percent of the patients).

Through analysis of electronic medical records, researchers involved in the study looked for incidents of suicide and non-fatal self-harm, suicidal thoughts and depression experienced by patients during use of the various treatments and three months following the last prescription refill.

Researchers reported no definitive evidence of an elevated risk of suicide, suicidal thoughts, self-harm or depression in those using Chantix or any of the other treatment options.

“This is the first study to look at this question in detail, and the results are largely reassuring,” said Dr. David Gunnell, an epidemiologist involved in the study. “Our best estimate is that if there is an increase in the risk for fatal and non-fatal self-harm associated with [Chantix] the risk is likely to be very small.”

Gunnell notes that larger follow-up studies are needed to fully understand and further calculate the risks associated with Chantix. Gunnell states that any risks presented by the medication must “be balanced against the risks associated with continuing to smoke.”

“Given the significant public health risks of smoking, Chantix is an important treatment option for adults who want to quit smoking,” said Sally Beatty of Pfizer, Inc., the company that markets Chantix in the United States. 

The study comes less than three months after the FDA required Chantix and Zyban medication labels to contain strong warning messages informing consumers that those taking the medications should be closely monitored for signs of suicidal thoughts, depression and hostility.