Smoking is hazardous to your health, and anything that can help you quit seems welcome. But sometimes the price is too high. All drugs are poisons, and as such they carry side effects, which is a euphemism for physiological responses to toxins.
The side effects for Chantix and Zyban have prompted the FDA to require new box warnings for these products.
The analyses revealed that some who have taken Chantix and Zyban have reported experiencing unusual changes in behavior, become depressed, or had their depression worsen, and had thoughts of suicide or dying. In many cases, the problems began shortly after starting the medication and ended when the medication was stopped. However, some people continued to have symptoms after stopping the medication. Also, in a few cases, the problems began after the medication was stopped. –FDA
But does labeling products help?
Pfizer had already updated its labeling following the beginning of an FDA investigation into the potential side effects in 2007. That investigation was sparked by reports of about 37 suicides and more than 400 of suicidal behavior in connection with the drug.
In February 2008, the FDA said the connection between Chantix and serious psychiatric problems was increasingly likely, though the company had already updated the label to reflect the potential side effects. — Forbes
That’s messed up. You want to quit smoking so you take Zyban and end up killing yourself or becoming horribly depressed, even after you quit taking the drug! What’s even more troubling is that the FDA’s proposed action is to create a new graphic for the box! Oh, and they’re discussing potential study designs to address the problem. Really? Two years later?
Don’t Smokers Have a Say?
Meanwhile, I came across the request for comments by the FDA in response to their “Regulation of Tobacco Products.” The following response was from a William A. Siebold, an academic at the Art Institute of Portland:
I understand that the FDA is constrained such that tobacco/nicotine products
cannot be banned by that agency. However, the time has come for severe and
uncompromising controls that can and will be effectively enforced.The reaction from the tobacco industry will be forceful and will solicit the support
of influential parties – their vision is short-sighted and founded in greed or
ignorance.The reaction from tobacco-product users will be loud and complaining. It will be
the reaction expected from drug addicts whose drug of choice is under threat.It is critical that these reactions do not become influential in the development,
administration & enforcement of strict FDA-directed nicotine controls.
What kind of country are we living in? The gist here is “Let’s affect the lives of smokers and manufacturers of smokers’ products and then let’s completely ignore their input because they’re motivated by greed or addiction.” In other words, Might Makes Right. Where’s King Arthur when you need him?
How Do You Like Controls, Mr. Siebold?
Wait a minute there, Mr. Siebold. We all know alcohol is a protoplasmic poison, is potentially addicting and causes untold deaths on the highway and the bedroom. So you need to put down that glass of Merlot and step away from the table.
And the sugar substitute you’re using in your caffeinated beverage is known to cause damage to your health, and the caffeine has turned you into a grumpy prig. So we’re going to take those away, too, for the betterment of society.
And just in case you decide that your government has curtailed too many of your liberties, we’re going to take your gun away too, because we all know guns kill people.
But if you want to take Chantix or Zyban to help you quit smoking (or even Wellbutrin for depression), even though we know depression and suicide are potential outcomes, well, we won’t take that away from you despite the untold emotional, societal and fiscal costs. Because we’re a pharmaceutical-friendly country.
