Lawyers involved in the federal Chantix litigation are scheduled to meet on Friday with the judge presiding over the centralized cases to discuss progress on the lawsuits. It is also expected that the judge will consider whether a “science day” should be scheduled to educate the Court about the background on the lawsuits over the side effects of Chantix.
Hundreds of Chantix lawsuits are consolidated as part of a mutidistrict litigation, or MDL, which is centralized before U.S. District Judge Inge Johnson in the Northern District of Alabama.
All of the complaints involve similar allegations that side effects of Chantix, a popular prescription medication sold by Pfizer to help people stop smoking, may increase the risk of serious injury or death due to suicidal thoughts and other unusual, aggressive behavior that has been reported to occur in some users after taking the medication.
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Learn MoreA hearing is scheduled for October 21, where Chantix attorneys representing both plaintiffs and defendants will meet with Judge Johnson. According to a joint proposed agenda filed this week, the parties will provide an update regarding the status of the litigation, including cases pending in state courts, as well as the status of cases that are being prepared for early Chantix trial dates, known as bellwether cases.
Pfizer, the manufacturer of the smoking cessation drug, recently filed a motion requesting that a “science day” be scheduled in February 2012, at which the parties would be able to make introductory presentations to the court concerning the scientific concepts and issues relevant to the litigation. If requested by the Court, the parties have indicated they will be prepared for oral arguments on this motion at the hearing on Friday.
According to the drug makers motion filed October 11, the presentations during the “science day” would not be argumentative, but rather summarize the key scientific concepts relating to Chantix. Pfizer says the presentations would also give the court a chance to ask questions about technical matters and offer guidance on discovery issues.
Chantix (varenicline) was approved in the United States by the FDA in 2006 as a prescription medication to help people quit smoking. The drug works by reducing the positive feelings that come from cigarettes, blocking the receptors in the brain commonly stimulated by nicotine. However, the impact of the drug on the brain has resulted in a number of reports from users who experienced sudden, unusually aggressive behavior, thoughts of self-harm and suicide.
In June 2009, the FDA added a “black box” warning to the medication about the potential risk of changes in behavior, depression and suicidal thoughts, which is the strongest warning that can be placed on a prescription medication in the United States.
Most of the Chantix injury lawsuits currently filed allege that Pfizer failed to adequately research their medication or warn about the risk of these problems earlier.
This year, the FDA also issued a drug safety communication about the potential risk of heart problems from Chantix, warning that the smoking cessation drug might increase the risk of certain cardiovascular events, including the risk of heart attack, among individuals who had cardiovascular disease. In recent months, a number of lawyers have begun reviewing potential Chantix heart attack lawsuits against Pfizer as well.
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l. duguayOctober 31, 2011 at 6:55 am
Yet we are still hearing in the news headlines that the FDA is saying drug is safe. http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/story/2011-10-24/FDA-Chantix-not-linked-to-mental-problems/50895632/1 Yet this headline is based on : FDA regulators stressed that the studies only recorded psychiatric problems that resulted in hospitalization, meaning many issues likely went unreported. Additionally, the st[Show More]Yet we are still hearing in the news headlines that the FDA is saying drug is safe. http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/story/2011-10-24/FDA-Chantix-not-linked-to-mental-problems/50895632/1 Yet this headline is based on : FDA regulators stressed that the studies only recorded psychiatric problems that resulted in hospitalization, meaning many issues likely went unreported. Additionally, the studies by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense were not large enough to pick up very rare side effects. Wow talk about using both sides of your mouth! Then still later talk about the use of a need for a black box warning on hostility, agitation, depression and suicidal thoughts and behavior. I could refuse to use a drug with the ability to make myself kill me, no matter if its 1 in 10 or 1 in 100. Death is final and too risky no matter what the chances, I don't want the finality for me.
terriOctober 20, 2011 at 4:36 pm
Chantix side effects are real. Had I not taken this drug myself, I, too, would've had my doubts about the horrific side effects. But, I DID...and I DON'T. When it first hit the market in '06, I overheard two pharmacists talking about this new drug FLYING off the shelves. Of course, I had to ask, "what new miracle drug is this?" Chantix. Immediately made an appt. w/my doctor. Couldn't WAIT t[Show More]Chantix side effects are real. Had I not taken this drug myself, I, too, would've had my doubts about the horrific side effects. But, I DID...and I DON'T. When it first hit the market in '06, I overheard two pharmacists talking about this new drug FLYING off the shelves. Of course, I had to ask, "what new miracle drug is this?" Chantix. Immediately made an appt. w/my doctor. Couldn't WAIT to fill my script. Studied the directions harder than any test ever studied for in school. Wanted to do it JUST RIGHT!! True to it's promise it DID making smoking a chore. YAYYY!! IS THIS IT??!!!! Whoa, how EASY can it GET???!!!! After two months, started reaching again. Filled aNOTHER script. THIS time was different. Something went terribly wrong. Feared drugs as a teen, can describe first hand in VIVID detail at 55, hallucinations. Dreamt nightly of deceased loved ones coming to me BEGGING me to come w/them. Assured me my job was done here. Daughters are raised, married and raising their OWN children. My job of 23 years and hubby of 37 could CERTAINLY find a replacement. Said, "heaven is a BLAST." After MONTHS of running on empty and experiencing these VIVID, REALISTIC dreams, decided to listen. They were RIGHT! I AM just taking up space. It's been a good run!! But, it's time to go!! Wasn't sad, mad, glad, nothing...just FLAT. I can assure you with every fiber of my being, this is one STRONG, SLOW, THOROUGH, POTENT, and ALL CONSUMING, SNEAKY, SNEAKY drug. No black box/purple box warnings can be strong enough...and as far as having a doctor keep an eye on you?...REALLY??... Believe me, you could share a bunkbed w/doctor and when that rug is YANKED...NO ONE...but, NO ONE...could get to you in time. Endured two, long hospital stays in '08. One for possible heart attack, other for sincere suicide attempt.