Chantix and seizures

[Vaticohm]

My fiance' is trying to quit smoking.  She is also a recovering alcoholic and has relapsed since trying to quit.  She tried the nicotine lozenges.  She also tried wellbutrin but had severe seizures.  She takes 10 milligrams of lexapro, .05 mg and levothyroxine in the morning,  12.5 mg of benicar, and alprazolam 0.5 milligrams 3 times a day, and mirtazpine 30 mg along with 500 mg magnesium and 3 mg melatonin to sleep.  She doesn't take the mirtazpine every day.  Otherwise she takes naproxine, extra strength tylenol, occasional cemetidine, and generic allergy pills, which make her shaky so only when she's desperate.
About 2 to 3 cups of coffee a day also.  She smokes a pack a day right now.  I was thinking chantix
which is how I quit.  I did read about possible seizures, any reccomdations?  Thanks

[Ga Guy]

Friend...I don't think anyone here would try and suggest anything to someone with that long list of meds. This is something you should be discussing with her doctor. Are all of the meds being prescribed from the SAME doctor? I'd get a second opinion if they were. A lot of her symptoms could be coming from drug interactions. The smoking can be by-product of the medications. I know this happens. I was a one pack a week smoker until I found Zoloft...then 3 packs a day immediately. Please, find a great doc and tell him everything. You'd be surprised how much a knowledgeable and compassionate doctor can help. Good luck to you...

[Gypsygirl66]

Hi I just wanted to give you a little info on the meds that your room mate is taking. You or she may already know some or all of this, but it you don't you should find it useful.

Lexapro is anti-depressant in a group of drugs called selective seretonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression or anxiety. It is used to treat anxiety and major depressive disorder.

Levothyroxine (Synthroid) is prescribed to treat hypothyroidism. It is a replacement for a hormone that is normally produced by your thyroid gland to regulate the body’s energy and metabolism. It is given when the thyroid does not produce enough of this hormone on its own.

Benicar- is used to treat high blood pressure. It is classified as an angiotensionII inhibitor. It prevents constriction or the vessels.

Alprazolam (Xanax)- is a benzodiazapine. It is a tranquilizer used in the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety or the treatment of anxiety disorders, by potntiating the GABBA neurotransmitters (inhibitory neurotransmitters).

Mirtazapin-(Remeron) is a tetracyclic antidepressant used to treat major depression. The exact nature of what chemical/neurotransmitters..etc it work on in the brain are unknown. THere are several studies that show it may enhance central noradrenergic and serotonergic activity.

Here are some signs or drug interactions for the above drugs.

Mirtazapine & Lexapro: MAJOR:DRUG-DRUG
As a rule of thumb serotonergic agents should be avoided if possible, or ahould be prescribed with caution if potential benefits outweigh the risk. Close monitoring is recommended for signs and symptoms of excessive serotonergic activity such as CNS irritability, altered  level of consciousness, confusion, myoclonus, ataxia, abdominal cramping, hyperpyrexia, shivering, pupillary dilation, diaphoresis, hypertension, and tachycardia. Dr.'s need to be very cautious and monitor their pt's when increasing the dosages of these meds. The potential risk of serotonin syndrome should be considered even when administering one serotonergic agent following discontinuation of another, as some agents may demonstrate a prolonged elimination half-life. Thats's why there is a 5-week flush out period following use of fluoxetine before administering another serotonergic agent.


Mirtazapine & Benicar: MORERATE:DRUG-DRUG
The administration of agents with hypotensive effects and psychotherapeutic agents (e.g., anxiolytics, sedatives, hypnotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics), narcotic analgesics, alcohol, or muscle relaxants may additively increase hypotensive and/or central nervous system depressant effects. Pt's should be apprised of any change in thier LOC, drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, confusion, orthostasis or fainting

Mirtazapine & Alprazolam: MODERATE:DRUG-DRUG
Central nervous system- and/or respiratory-depressant effects may be additively or synergistically increased in patients taking multiple drugs that cause these effects, especially in elderly or debilitated patients. Pt's and family should be apprised to any change in their LOC, drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness or confusion

Alprazolam & Benicar: MODERATE:DRUG-DRUG
The administration of agents with hypotensive effects and psychotherapeutic agents (e.g., anxiolytics, sedatives, hypnotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics), narcotic analgesics, alcohol, or muscle relaxants may additively increase hypotensive and/or central nervous system depressant effects. Be aware of any changes in LOC, drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, confusion, orthostasis, fainting

ALprazolam & Lexapro: MODERATE:DRUG-DRUG
Central nervous system- and/or respiratory-depressant effects may be additively or synergistically increased in patients taking multiple drugs that cause these effects, especially in elderly or debilitated patients. Be aware of any changes in LOC, drowsiness, dizziness, light headedness, confusion, orthostasis, fainting.

Many of these interactions are unlikely (but still very possible) to happen. I don't know how long you room mate had been on these meds, her history, any of her medical problems or if she is getting any relief from these medication. However, there are some serious questions to be asked here. I highly recommend that you have her get ALL here medical record's, do some research and find a Dr. in your area with excellent references and make an appointment. She needs to get a handle on her medical issues and her medications.
All My Best To You and You Friend,
Gypsy

[Gypsygirl66]

This heading should read:
Here are some signs "of" drug interactions for the above drugs

Under the heading "Mirtazapinne & Lexapro" it should read:
As a rule of thumb, "COMBINING" serotonergic agents should be avoided if possible

[Abby8394]

I'm new..but I read the post on Chantix and seizures....I've recently been diagnosed with a seizure disorder and epilepsy...it's basically been from a head trauma from about 8 years ago...but the seizures remarkably started around the same time a began taking the drug Chantix to help me stop smoking. At first my primary doc told me to stop taking the drug...I did and within 5 days I was in the ER have Complex Partial Seizures one right on top of the other accompanied by Tonic Clonic seizures...they have now bubbled down to Complex Partial. The docs say it's due to the head trauma NOT the Chantix...but my neuro thinks that it could very possibly be the thing that caused them to come out NOW after all these years...but won't say for sure...I was diagnosed and all this happen just this past Febuarary...I just had a perfect physical in December...I work in Nursing...have for 15 years...can't remember being sick a day in my life...my head injury was a result of domestic battery... now I'm in PT myself...and trying to rebuild myself physically...I still smoke!

[dern]

My 17 yo daughter took Chantix for about 5 weeks, She did stop smoking but had a seizure about 6 weeks after stopping the medicine. She has never had a seizure or head trauma. I am now thinking that the Chantix altered her brain receptors and caused the seizure. Has anyone else experienced this?

[Rose703]

I have several good friends who have used Chantix successfully without any complications however it's my belief that any and all medications can and almost always do have some type of S/E's.
I'm a long time smoker and have been considering using Chantix as I've tried many other options but none of them worked.
Anyway great post and I hope we can get some more feedback as I would love to hear success versus non success stories.

[Andrea333]

Anyone having long-term health issues caused by Chantix, if you haven't already, make sure you get a brain MRI.   Serious damage showed in mine after 1 1/2 years of suffering the adverse reaction of Chantix.

[kathyjo]

I took Chantix last year, late August until early October, six weeks of it, and had no symptoms other then a little stomach upset.
For me, it was that miracle drug and on the 8th of October I will celebrate my 1 year anniversary.
I had smoked for 38 years and when I heard about Chantix I asked my doctor.
I was mentally preparing, spending some time reading the articles at whyquit.com, so between the two, I successfully quit.
I still read the articles at whyquit, to protect my quit, and there are days that I struggle more then others, but I feel so much better and love the fact that I have control over my life now, not the other way around : )

I don't know why some have side effects while others don't, but the bottom line is that smoking will kill you, and anything that works to help you quit, do it, for yourself, for your family and friends. Your quality of life will be so much better.
If you find that nothing works for you, then try cold turkey.....3 days of physical withdrawals but then its over.
Can't stress this enough.....support is key so get all your loved ones behind you and visit the whyquit website and read the articles in Joel's Library.
Take a walk every time to have a weak moment or do something to keep you busy and the urges lessen and it gets easier.

Good luck : )
Kathy Jo

[Chingador]

I have never had a seizure a day in my life, I took the first chantix pill and 8 hours later, bam, 4-6 min seizure...at work...i face planted in to an ash tray on the way down. Now I have to have 2 root canals and bone in my head I can not spell, say or even point it out in a line up is broke. my Doc said stop taking the Chantix. My thought was no kidding. I guess thats why its a   "Practice". Other than that I have been out of work for 3 weeks and no one sems to care. (except my family)

[jsalrot]

i have been on chantix for a very long time now and i have taken it in spite of all its dangers because my ceasing to smoke is the most important thing in the world.  i do not doubt that some people have had seizures, i know that i haven't been prone to them at all.  if i am setting myself up for seizures in the future, i should know that too.  despite the long duration i've been on it, no seizures at all.  i highly recommend nicotine replacement therapy -- patches.  you will feel awful, 21mg is the strongest dose, it'll be rough, but you'll get through it.  it was very hard for me lower to the 14mg dose, but i am sticking with this, and am willing to endure feeling awful for the sake of someday having a brighter day.  i believe you should do that too.  it will eventually kill you if you can't let go.