Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has sent a fresh alert to doctors to remind them of the potential risks associated with taking the anti-smoking drug Champix.

According to a report in The Australia, the TGA published an updated bulletin in which it reports 1025 cases of suspected adverse reactions to Champix between January 2008, when it was added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and May this year.
Two-thirds, or 691 of these, described "psychiatric symptoms such as depression, agitation, anxiety, altered mood and aggression" after taking the drug, also known by its chemical name of varenicline, the bulletin said.
Fifteen people have committed suicide after taking the anti-smoking drug Champix since January 2008 and another 191 patients have reported suicidal thoughts and related effects.
Champix, which is made by drug company Pfizer, has long been dogged by reports of suicidal thoughts and its information leaflets warn of the risks. Last year, US regulators ordered these warnings to be strengthened. A TGA spokeswoman said it was not possible to say Champix caused the suicidal effects, as nicotine withdrawal itself could trigger similar symptoms.
There were 250,000 prescriptions for Champix issued to August last year, a figure that has soared to more than one million since then. The latest figures suggest a doubling in the numbers of suicides linked to Champix since July last year, when the TGA put the tally at six. (pi)