Lewis & Tompkins Blog

FDA Warns Anti-Smoking Drugs Linked With Suicide

The Washington Post reports that taking anti-smoking medications may lead to depression and suicide. After a disturbing number of reports linking two different anti-smoking drugs, Chantix and Zyban, with depression, hostility, attempted suicide, and suicide, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has released a warning about the drugs and is requiring the drug company to label the drug packaging with strong warning labels.

The agency had received 98 reports of suicide among patients taking Chantix and 188 reports of attempted suicide, and 14 suicides and 17 suicide attempts among patients taking Zyban, according to officials.

FDA officials are unsure of why the drug would cause these serious reactions, and also noted that nicotine withdrawal can have similar effects. The also noted that the drug would not be taken off of the market considering the equally deadly effects of smoking. Making the public aware of the dangerous side effects should curb any potential problems, they said.