Kristian Rasmussen December 31st, 2008
Concerns about potentially devastating side effects of Chantix® (varenicline) have been reported in Europe as well as the U.S. The European Medicines Agency (EMEA), “as part of the routine pharmacovigilance activities” noted receiving “cases of suicidal ideation and suicide” in July, October and November 2007. The following month, the EMEA “concluded that updated warnings to doctors and patients [were necessary] to increase awareness of cases of suicidal ideation and suicide ttempts” in patients using varenicline. For more information please contact attorney Kristian Rasmussen by email (Krasmussen@cwcd.com) or call toll free 1-800-852-6299
Kristian Rasmussen December 30th, 2008
Drug manufacturer Pfizer has stepped up warnings on its controversial smoking cessation drug, Chantix. On February 1, 2008, under increasing pressure from the FDA, Pfizer amended the information contained in the drug label and package insert for patients to include stronger warnings for potentially serious adverse events. Contemporaneous with the February 1, 2008 label change, the FDA issued a Public Health Advisory alerting health care providers, patients, and caregivers to new safety warnings “related to changes in behavior, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal ideation, and actual suicidal behavior.” For more information please contact attorney Kristian Rasmussen by email (Krasmussen@cwcd.com) or call toll free 1-800-852-6299.
Kristian Rasmussen December 29th, 2008
Chantix® (varenicline), a smoking cessation drug manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. accounted for an alarming number of injury reports in 2007. Specifically, in the fourth quarter of 2007 “[Chantix] varenicline accounted for 988 serious injuries in the U.S. reported to the FDA, more than any other individual drug in this time period.” By comparison the FDA received a median of 5 reports of serious injury for 769 different drugs in the same time period (i.e. 4th Qtr. 2007). In fact, only 35 drugs accounted for 100 or more reports. For more information please contact attorney Kristian Rasmussen by email (Krasmussen@cwcd.com) or calling (205) 328-2200; toll free 1-800-852-6299.
Kristian Rasmussen December 26th, 2008
The smoking cessation drug Chantix® (varenicline) now carries a more explicitly worded package insert addressing potentially dangerous side effects . On November 20, 2007 the FDA issued a Changes Being Effected (“CBE”) requiring: “Modification of the patient package insert to address possible drug adverse effects [including] depression, agitation, suicidal thoughts…” For more information please contact attorney Kristian Rasmussen by email (Krasmussen@cwcd.com) or call toll free 1-800-852-6299
Kristian Rasmussen December 24th, 2008
Chantix® (varenicline) is a smoking cessation drug manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. Alarmingly, in the fourth quarter of 2007, despite only being on the market for a little more than a year (15 months) the FDA received more reports identifying Chantix as the cause of more serious injuries than any other drug on the market regardless of market share or number of prescriptions sold. For more information please contact attorney Kristian Rasmussen by email (Krasmussen@cwcd.com) or calling toll free 1-800-852-6299.
Kristian Rasmussen December 23rd, 2008
Chantix® (varenicline) , a smoking cessation drug manufactured by Pfizer Inc, is under growing scrutiny both in the U.S. and abroad. The safety signal associating Chantix with an increased risk of experiencing many different adverse events has prompted both the FDA and foreign regulatory agencies to take action. For more information please contact attorney Kristian Rasmussen by email (Krasmussen@cwcd.com) or calling (205) 328-2200; toll free 1-800-852-6299
Kristian Rasmussen December 22nd, 2008
The United States Coast Guard is cautioning mariners about potential problems with the drug Chantix® (varenicline) , manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. On June 26, 2008, the United States Coast Guard issued a “Marine Safety Alert” noting, “There are immediate safety concerns about the use of Chantix among persons operating aircraft, trains, buses, and other vehicles ….” The Safety Alert further advises Chantix patients to “immediately cease performance of all duties related to your mariner credentials and contact your healthcare provider” if they experience any of the “side effects associated with Chantix.” Lawsuits charge Chantix has caused dangerous and even fatal side effects including suicide ideation and suicide. For more information please contact attorney Kristian Rasmussen by email (Krasmussen@cwcd.com) or calling (205) 328-2200; toll free 1-800-852-6299.
Kristian Rasmussen December 19th, 2008
The controversy over Pfizer’s smoking cessation drug Chantix® (varenicline) is growing and one on-line pharmacy suspended sale of the drug. A statement released by Accessrx.com said, ” Effective June 23, 2008, Accessrx.com will temporarily stop selling Chantix due to the recent concerns regarding this product. This recent change is the result of a joint decision by the physicians and pharmacists on our Health and Medical Advisory Board.”For more information contact attorney Kristian Rasmussen by email (Krasmussen@cwcd.com) or call( toll free 1-800-852-6299
Kristian Rasmussen December 18th, 2008
Chantix® (varenicline) is a smoking cessation drug manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. On June 11, 2008, Kaiser Permanente, one of the nations largest HMOs announced it does not recommend Chantix as a first line treatment option for patients trying to quit smoking. Dr. Sean Jones heads a committee that assesses drugs for Kaiser Permanente. According to Dr. Jones, “Kaiser doctors can continue to use the pill [Chantix] though ‘it should not be the first’ choice.” For more information please contact attorney Kristian Rasmussen by email (Krasmussen@cwcd.com) or toll free 1-800-852-6299.
Kristian Rasmussen December 17th, 2008
Some veterans are being cautioned not to take the smoking cessation drug Chantix® (varenicline) , manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. In June 2008, “based on current medical evidence and expert opinion from clinicians” the Department of Veterans Affairs changed the prescribing guidelines for Chantix specifically prohibiting use of the drug in certain patients. Specifically, the VA banned the use of Chantix by “patients with a history of suicidal, homicidal, or assaultive behavior … Patients with current, persistent suicidal or homicidal ideation or an active plan or intent to harm self or others Patients with an untreated or unstable mental disorder such as, but not limited to, psychotic disorder , bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD.” For more information please contact attorney Kristian Rasmussen by email (Krasmussen@cwcd.com) or call toll free 1-800-852-6299