To think I should have been warned about this - champix related.

[Busybusybust]

I was going to put this on the Mental Health Board - but I think the more people who know the better.

So........

a littte background. I am (was) and longterm, ashamed smoker - desperate to stop. So I ws prescribed Champix in the middle of last November. I stopped smoking at the beginning of December. When I had the first lot of Champix, I read the leaflet - or thought I did - and didn't find anything about depression. I have a history of 2 doses of PND.

I didn't actually take the full dose for long as the morning one made me vomit, and I stopped taking them at all about 3 weeks ago.

Since I started them (certainly since the beginning of December) I have become increasingly depressed and 'odd'. I have felt that I would be better off dead, have been very aggressive with my best friend, sis, bro, both daughters. (it's amazing they are still speaking to me!) Life has been really horrible generally. I spent the weekend before last seeing no one and crying - for the whole weekend.

However and the last 2 days, I have suddenly started to feel much, much better!!!! I feel upbeat and good about myself! So I thought 'why, suddenly do you feel better' and Googled side effects of Champix.

Apparently, these side effects are now recognised. Why, oh why, wasn't I told???????????

I have spent the past months thinking I was insane! Well I probably was!

So beware if you are thinking of taking them.

edam, you are out of date. Extensive studies of Champix have now shown there is no increase in the suicide rate on it.

I'm all for informed choice - I always warn my patients about the risk of depression. However it is not an informed choice if people who read this thread decide not to use Champix on the basis of one person's bad experience. It is very important to put the risks of Champix in context and not to extrapolate from one person's side-effects.

Smoking is an incredibly dangerous thing to do. For every 10 smokers reading this thread, 5 will die from smoking and all 10 will damage their health. Champix is a very safe drug that occasionally causes low mood. If you can stop smoking without Champix - great. If you can't - use Champix.

And no offence to the OP but, if she doesn't remember the warnings about depression in the leaflet she read on Champix, maybe she has also forgotten about warnings that the GP gave her? Studies show that patients remember very little of what doctors say (must be our boring bedside manner..).

Zyban is also a type of anti-d. methinks

AnyoneforTurps - Do you work for Champix manufacturers? Or a dodgy online pharmacy?

Why do you make out like Champix is the ONLY option for those who want to quit smoking? Of course smoking is evil (luckily I quit a month ago), as if we don't know that.

But trust me, when your loved one becomes a different person, threatens to stab people, has psychotic episodes, feels dark and suicidal, and has a total personality transplant because of these smoking drugs - you'll wish they were still smoking.

After all - either way, they are in bad health, but at least with smoking they have their minds. They don't push away the people they love and they don't want to hang themselves 24/7. Your post is ignorant and hurtful, but I assume you have ulterior motives anyway.

DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG - you could be one of the unlucky ones. my partner is still not the same as he was before taking these pills. I am not scaremongering. I am trying to prevent other people from going through what I went through, and what I am still going through.

If you have had a good experience I am really happy for you. But these horror stories should not be ignored. Good luch everyone xx

I haven't read the whole thread but have just started taking Champix.

I read ther leaflet and there are lots of warnings about depression and suicidal thoughts.

Sorry for what you are going through Dee.

How long had you been taking it before the mood changes happened?

I'm a bit worried now.

I don't think the side effects are a recently discovered thing, I was warned about depression and suicidal thoughts when champix was discussed as one of the options at my quitters group almost 3 years ago but YANBU to think it is unacceptable that nobody warned you of these effects when the drug was prescribed.

to me it sounds as if AnyoneforTurps is a gp/doctor as she says Studies show that patients remember very little of what doctors say (must be our boring bedside manner..).

Well I don't blame you OP for wanting to being this to people's attention, it is very scary if you suffer these side effects and might not immediately attribute them to the drug.

My DH recently used champix for about 4 weeks, he became increasingly aggressive and 'odd', we seriously nearly split up. DH told his GP he didn't want to take a drug that could mess with his mental well being (he has very serious mental health problems within his family- although has never suffered any himself) the GP assured him it was very safe and effective. The leaflet did not outline the aggression and anger/behaviour changes DH had (very out of character) just depression/suicidal thoughts.

I'm not saying that people shouldn't use champix but I think it would help if people were more aware that it can cause changes to mood and behaviour, and to be vigilant about stopping if they experience any.

I wasn't allowed Champix because of my mental health history. The nurse explained to me that Champix isn't suitable for people who have had depression etc in the past because depression can be one of the side effects.

You should have been told this.

Oh God I'm really worried now. Have told DP to look out for any odd behaviour from me.

Champix can cause more than just a 'low mood' - the depression is a well recognised and documented side effect, but not in all patients.

If anyone taking this feels that it is adversely affecting them, then please go back to your prescribing gp, nurse, smoking cessation advisor or pharmacist and get their advice.

I've been taking Champix - the side effects are very, very clearly stated in the leaflet.

I went a bit odd too btw, but it was most certainly the lack of nicotine and not the Champix - I was right as rain after using an inhalator and some lozenges.

I am currently sat with my best friend (sleeping right now) who is trying for the third time to come off champix and not throw herself under a train. I can’t believe this thread was almost 10 years ago and this is happening now. She has huge MH issues including suicide attempts and was still prescribed this, no discussion no warning. There’s no going back this time as it is unavailable everywhere now and to be honest I suspect it’s finally being banned.