FDA warns of heart attack risk with Chantix

The Food and Drug Administration has added a warning for smokers who use the drug Chantix to help them quit. The FDA said Thursday that Chantix, manufactured by Pfizer Inc., increases the chances that users with cardiovascular disease will suffer heart attacks.

The FDA cited a trial of 700 smokers, some of whom were given Chantix and some of whom were administered a placebo. The smokers who received Chantix showed a greater likelihood of developing heart attacks and chest pain. The FDA is requiring that Pfizer conduct further experiments to investigate these results.

This warning comes nearly two years after the FDA required Pfizer to warn users of an increased risk of depression, hostility, and suicidal thoughts.

Pfizer is currently involved in a lawsuit alleging that the company downplayed Chantix’s possible negative side effects. The litigation is based on the idea that Pfizer failed to thoroughly test the drug for health risks associated with its use.

Pfizer has downplayed the link between Chantix and heart problems, arguing that the positive effect that quitting smoking has on the heart outweighs the possibility of heart problems.

The FDA has stated that it will continue to evaluate the health risks associated with Chantix use.