Welcome to Andieland ---- The mind is like a parachute, for it to work it must first be open.

Like many other people out there, I smoke. Like many other people out there I am faced with the fact that I need to quit. There are thousands of reason to quit but I think the biggest reason is that I want to be able to live the best life possible for my self and my family.

 Well, I know in order to quit smoking I need to get help and assistance, there are several programs, gums, patches, pills, shots, etc., that I can use, but the best thing to do is to always consult a doctor and here would be the best reason why. I found this article on the "Google News"  it came from "The Wall Street Journal". Now I know people that have taken this medication, I know alcoholics that have been prescribed this, I know people who have taken other's medication, so on and so so forth.

 

 

"FDA Issues Health Advisory
On Pfizer's Chantix Tablets"

By JENNIFER CORBETT DOOREN
February 1, 2008 3:35 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- The Food and Drug Administration said it is "increasingly likely" that Pfizer Inc.'s smoking-cessation drug Chantix may be tied to serious psychiatric symptoms. The FDA's comment is part of a public health advisory issued Friday.

The public health advisory highlighted warnings issued by Pfizer last month stating that Chantix users should be monitored for suicidal behavior, depressed mood and other changes in behavior.

On Jan. 18, Pfizer said it would update the product label for Chantix to more prominently display post-marketing reports of adverse events that were first added to the product label last November after the FDA conducted a preliminary assessment of reported side effects.

Such reports included depression, changes in behavior and suicidal thinking in some patients within days or weeks after starting Chantix treatment. At the time, the FDA said the role of Chantix wasn't clear.

Now, the FDA said, "it appears increasingly likely that there may be an association between Chantix and serious neuropsychiatric symptoms."

The FDA said it was working with Pfizer to develop a so-called medication guide highlighting the warnings for patients. A drug's label is typically directed at doctors.

"Chantix has proven to be effective in smokers motivated to quit, but patients and health-care professionals need the latest safety information to make an informed decision regarding whether or not to use this product," said Bob Rappaport, director of the FDA's division of anesthesia, analgesia and rheumatology products.

Chantix, an oral tablet taken up to twice daily for 12 weeks to help adults stop smoking, was approved in the U.S. in May 2006. Sales of the drug totaled $280 million during the fourth quarter, up from $68 million during the same time period in 2006.

Write to Jennifer Corbett Dooren at jennifer.corbett-dooren@dowjones.com

 

 

  For my friends out there, I'll be talking to my doctor the next time I see him, right now I have severe broncitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis etc.he said if I had waited another week I'd have ended up in the hospital, I wasn't paying attention to myself cuz Chris was having heart problems, he has pericarditis( he has a virus in the sac around his heart), he has to go back for more cardiac test next month once the virus in his heart clears up (I really thought he was having a heart attack). But I do believe between his heart and my respiratory problems it's time for us both to make so serious heath changes, he doesn't like the sound of that, I'm sure he'll miss his pound of  butter, corn beef hash and all that salt. As for me, I just want to breathe.