Chantix Side Effects: The Carter Albrecht Effect

There is quit a bit of speculation that the side effects of the ant-smoking drug Chantix might have been responsible for ending Carter Albrechts life. Carter Albrecht, a prominent Dallas musician died a violent death earlier this month. In the week leading up to the tragedy, Albrecht had been reportedly suffering from vivid, hallucinatory dreams; a Chantix side effect.

Albrecht, a member of rock group Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians, was on the verge of promising solo music career. He had started taking Chantix a week before he died. The drug Chantix, approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) just last year, is meant to assist people who want to stop smoking. Albrecht was reportedly desperate to quit, as a doctor had told him smoking would damage his singing voice.

According to the Dallas Morning News, Albrecht began complaining of vivid dreams as soon as he started using Chantix. While the Chantix labels list changes in dreaming as a possible side effect of the drug, Albrechts girlfriend told the newspaper that what happened to him went far beyond that. She said Albrecht would awaken in the middle of the night, not sure that what he had experienced was real or a dream.

One evening, after Albrecht had a few cocktails, he started lashing out violently towards his girlfriend something she said had never occurred before. Albrechts girlfriend told the Morning News that he seemed confused and terrified, and looked at her as though he did not recognize her. Somehow, Albrecht ended up at the home of a neighbor, banging violently on the back door. A call was made to 911, but before the police arrived the terrified neighbor had fired a warning shot from his rifle, which accidentally hit and killed Albrecht.

Albrechts girlfriend told the Morning News that she is convinced that Chantix played a roll in his death. And since the drug was approved last year, evidence is emerging that it could very well cause side effects similar to what Albrecht suffered. Since the drug was approved, reports of users suffering from suicidal thoughts and bizarre violent behavior have been cropping up in media outlets. One Chantix user told the Morning News about feeling as though he wanted die after having had a couple of drinks. Once this man stopped using alcohol when he took Chantix, he said the suicidal thoughts ended.

Side effects like nausea, changes in dreaming, constipation, gas and vomiting are prominently listed on the patient handout that pharmacies include with Chantix prescriptions. But only in small print in the original box insert is there mention of rare episodes of psychotic and suicidal behavior.

Chantix affects the central nervous system, as does alcohol. One addiction expert told the Morning News that it would not be unusual for a drug like Chantix to react poorly with alcohol. And such an adverse reaction might not be discovered during clinical trials of a drug, as ethical considerations prevent researchers from studying a drugs interaction with alcohol.

Pfizer, the maker of Chantix, claims that there is no link between the drug and violent behavior, but the FDA said it would be investigating the role it might have played in Albrechts death. Anecdotal evidence that this drug does causes serious behavioral changes in some users is starting to pile up. Until more studies are done to determine the safety of Chantix, caution should be used when taking it. And at the very least, users should avoid all alcoholic drinks while they are taking Chantix.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Carter
• Albrecht
• Chantix
• Edie
• Brickell
• and
• the
• New
• Bohemians
• FDA
• Dallas
• Texas
• Side
• Effects
• psychotic
• suicidal
• behavior

[Kellerwerks]

Carter Albrecht was a personal friend, and one of the most beautiful individuals and talented musicians I've ever encountered. Show some respect, please.

[hillbillyvol]

There needs to be a BIG sweep at the FDA. A criminal investigation would not be out of order. How many dangerous drugs have been approved over the last ten years only to be pulled from the shelf.

[Houseitch]

@einerose1980 yep, I was okay with it the first week. My friend & her husband took it he quit smoking but she had the same side effects as I: Okay after the first week, but during week two: dizzy while sitting down, talking stupid, aggression even 2 months later after stopping, & nightmares. This is dangerous crap. The doc that prescribed it says it eats the nicotine receptors of your brain, I'm sure it damages more than that. Question everything, as they're using people as guinea pigs,seriously

[SuperSkyster]

It's an insidious bitch that worms it's way in. I got a strong family history of suicide; father and two uncles, 2 cousins. So, yeah, lol, the doctors look at me like, "holy shit we better save her, she's the last one." The kamikaze pilot who missed. They don't know how I'm still alive. Got 3 brain tumors, and some fancy name, "Von Hippel -Lindau syndrome" or something lol, but I'm not exactly that either. It sucks.

I just find somethin everyday to laugh about and use my Super Sarcasm powers!

[SuperSkyster]

I'm on it right now, just started, and man, can't eat, don't wanna eat, stomach knotted up, weird poetic type mood, like song lyrics rolling thru my head that won't stop. Like I swallowed the Grim Reaper's Diary and a plug of tobacco. The visions are like, horrible concentration camps, mass graves, body parts, death and mortality, and "am I gonna die?" "Do I even care?" but I can see why kill self, cuz it would feel GOOD to feel the buckshot lifting the top of the skull out, freedom from flesh.

[gamersincenes]

Smoked for 15 years, pack a day, but quit over a year ago. Did it without this pill too. Just get some nicorette gum to help with the cravings, its not just about breaking the habit, or dependence on nicotine, your learning to do things without them like driving, taking a break at work, not smoking one after you eat lunch. All you really have to have is a strong desire to quit, something to live for.

[iamwhoiam327]

This guy drank liquor that makes the pills stronger smh

[blerinamenaj]

@einerose1980 selam ! its been 4 months ever since yr comment here. Did u quit by now? R u still smoking? I want my husband to use this medicine to stop smoking but im afraid of the side effects.

[andydever]

Does any of u really want to quit smoking than.quit u fucking pussies . By the way I smoke

[einerose1980]

it workd for me i stopd smoking thx ALLAH. but the only sideaffect i have is tht im sleeping and feeling tht im knockt out and i talk sumtimes stupid?anyone had those sideaffect??PLZ LET ME KNOW;-)

[danielflynn3]

@peacheyzzzz Because it's the minute part of takers. It still does a lot more good than bad. Yes I agree suicidal ideas must inhibit common sense but on the other side of things it must come on slowly as well. If you feel anything like that coming on while on a new medication seek help asap.

[peacheyzzzz]

@danielflynn3 bad attitude - why should a drug like this be available if these effects are known. A side effect of suicidal ideation can inhibit common sense, such as stopping the medication etc.