Is varenicline tartrate dangerous?
On One Hand: Harmful Side EffectsVarenicline tartrate is a prescription aid for smokers trying to quit the habit. Pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer Inc. sells the drug under the brand name Chantix. Those using Chantix can experience side effects including nausea and vomiting, headaches, flatulence, constipation, troubled dreams and insomnia. Soon after its 2006 debut, some Chantix users reported experiencing suicidal thinking and behavior. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) began an investigation after receiving nearly 500 complaints, more than 37 of whom reportedly committed suicide. As a result, Chantix labeling now includes a manufacturer’s warning concerning a possible connection between the drug and suicidal ideation.On the Other: Dangers of SmokingFor those who have tried just about everything else, varenicline tartrate offers a new approach to smoking cessation, working within the brain’s chemistry to lower its nicotine craving. The American Lung Association reports that mor
