Current Smokers More Addicted Than Previous Generations

Scientists and researchers from the Palo Alto Centre for Pulmonary Disease Prevention and the St. Helena Hospital in Napa, Calif., recently discovered that individuals who currently smoke are more likely to be more addicted to nicotine and will actually find it more difficult to quit smoking than smokers from two decades ago.

Researchers studied the "pre-treatment severity of nicotine dependence" of individuals in three studies that occurred from 1989 to 2006. Individuals who are extremely addicted to nicotine, smoking rose 17.5 percent during the years of the study. "Severe nicotine addiction had gone up between 1989 and 2006 and the percentage of smokers classified as highly nicotine dependent, as much as 32 percent," according to statistics obtained from the study.

Unfortunately, researchers were unable to provide any reasoning behind the increase of nicotine addiction, but were able to conclusively explain that individuals with less of a nicotine addiction were much more successful at quitting smoking and found doing so easier than others with higher nicotine addictions.

Smoking Cessation Drugs

According to the medical journal the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), there are several stages and pharmaceutical aids for an individual when quitting smoking. According to physicians, at the stage of actionable cessation, nicotine replacement therapies will be abundant. Some of these drugs include:

* nicotine patch

* nicotine gum

* nicotine inhaler

* nicotine nasal spray

* buproprion

* silver acetate

* alpraxolam (Xanax)

* clonidine (catapres)

* mecamylamine (Inversine)

Quitting Comes With A Price

There are a few drugs that may pose serious side effects in addition to the list of nicotine withdrawal signs and symptoms, which include the following, according to the AAFP:

* increased appetite

* food cravings

* restlessness

* difficulty concentrating

* anxiety

* decreased heart rate

* irritability

Of the smoking-cessation drugs, one has become quite problematic with its side effects causing harm to patients unknowingly. Chantix or Champix, also known as Varenicline Tartrate from Pfizer, recently went under investigation for its potential link to suicide and suicidal thoughts among patients.

The drug was introduced after U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval on May 10, 2006. In November 2007, hundreds of reports of psychotic episodes and depressive thoughts flooded the offices of the FDA. The Chantix dangers had allegedly caused close to 40 suicides among patients.

However, the drug is currently still on the market after a February 1, 2008 public health advisory from the FDA reported changes to the drug's label to include the potential for mood changes, but the FDA found that evidence was inconclusive with regards to recalling the drug from shelves.

Chantix side effects include the following, as reported on the new, amended lable:

* nausea

* trouble sleeping

* vivid/unusual/strange dreams

* constipation

* gas

* vomiting

Additionally, the label now includes a warning that advises patients who develop potential mood disorders to discontinue use of the drug and seek out a mental health professional or a physician immediately. According to Pfizer, some of the important mood changes to watch for include:

* agitation

* depressed mood

* changes in behavior

* depression

* suicidal thoughts

* suicidal tendencies and actions

Overcoming Non-Smoking Drug Dangers

Individuals who have suffered from the serious Chantix side effects should consider consulting a pharmaceutical attorney who can provide insightful details into developing a Chantix class action lawsuit, which may offer monetary compensation as an award for the dangers surrounding the smoking cessation drug. Additionally, by contacting an experienced pharmaceutical law firm, a free legal consultation will likely be provided to better assist a victim who has suffered physically, mentally and monetarily.