The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), on its new web site devoted to smoking, is hiding from the public the fact that Chantix (varenicline) has been associated with hundreds of suicides. It is also recommending Chantix - a drug that has caused hundreds of deaths - over electronic cigarettes, which have no known serious adverse side effects, because of its concern over potential unknown risks of electronic cigarettes.
On its web site, DHHS advises smokers trying to quit not to use electronic cigarettes, but does recommend that they use Chantix. However, while this page warns about potential unknown risks associated with electronic cigarettes, it does not mention the well-documented, known, serious side effects of Chantix and it fails to provide its own mandated black box warning.
On its smoking cessation medication page, DHHS deceives the public by failing to mention that Chantix has been associated with hundreds of suicides. Instead, it suggests only that Chantix has been linked to rare cases of "suicidal ideation." The DHHS states only that: "There have been rare reports of mood swings, depression and suicidal thoughts." The DHHS also fails to inform the public that Chantix has been banned for pilots, air traffic controllers, and commercial drivers.
Even on its detailed fact sheet regarding Chantix, DHHS hides from the public the fact that there have been hundreds of reports of suicide among patients taking Chantix. It merely states that: "There have been rare reports of mood swings, depression, and suicidal thoughts."
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