The popular anti-smoking drug Champix could be triggering depression, aggression and suicidal thoughts, according to Australia’s drug regulator.
While the Therepeutic Goods Administration has not banned the pill, it has says there is increasing evidence linking it to harmful neurological side-effects.
Out of 210,000 prescriptions filed since January, when the drug became available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule (PBS), there have been 339 complaints of adverse reactions.
255 of those complaints concerned "psychiatric symptoms including depression, aggression, agitation, abnormal dreams, insomnia, hallucination and anger”, according to Fairfax reports.
Drug manufacturer Pfizer says a clear link between the drug and serious neuropsychiatric events "has neither been established nor excluded".
"Based on the totality of data, we stand by the efficacy and safety profile of Champix when used as directed, as an important treatment option to help patients stop smoking.”