Big pharma halts distribution of anti-smoking drug after finding carcinogen

[ginfreely]

https://www.reuters.com/business/he...ing-drug-after-finding-carcinogen-2021-06-24/

June 25, 20215:58 PM +08Last Updated 11 hours ago

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals​

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Pfizer halts distribution of anti-smoking drug after finding carcinogen​

 

[ginfreely]

June 24 (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc (PFE.N)said on Thursday it is pausing distribution of its anti-smoking treatment, Chantix, after finding elevated levels of cancer-causing agents called nitrosamines in the pills.

The drugmaker is recalling a number of lots of the anti-smoking drug. The U.S. drug regulator has in the past reached out to companies whose drugs had N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) over accepted levels.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last year found high levels of NDMA in some versions of the popular diabetes drug metformin. NDMA contamination was responsible for the recall of heartburn drug Zantac sold by Sanofi SA (SASY.PA) in 2019.

Chantix was approved by the FDA in May 2006 as a prescription medication which, along with support, helps adults aged 18 and over quit smoking and is used for 12 to 24 weeks.

 

[ginfreely]

Global revenue from the drug fell 17% to $919 million in 2020 as COVID-19 curbs hampered demand and the company lost patent protection in the United States in November.

Pfizer said the pause in distribution is out of abundance of caution and pending further testing.

"The benefits of Chantix outweigh the very low potential risks, if any, posed by nitrosamine exposure from varenicline on top of other common sources over a lifetime," Pfizer spokesperson Steven Danehy said in an email to Reuters.

Reporting by Dania Nadeem in Bengaluru;Editing by Arun Koyyur

 

[nayr69sg]

https://www.reuters.com/business/he...ing-drug-after-finding-carcinogen-2021-06-24/

June 25, 20215:58 PM +08Last Updated 11 hours ago

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals​

​

Pfizer halts distribution of anti-smoking drug after finding carcinogen​

Vareniciline is the generic drug name. Champix is what I am familiar with as trade name.

The problem looks to be related more to batches that have a higher than normal Nitrosoamine levels. These act as alkylating agents and might be carcinogenic.

More as a precaution.

In any case my experience with Champix is that is seldom really works for patients. Studies show abstinence rate of 12 months in about 22% of patients who go on it. NNT is 8 vs placebo. (NNT means number to treat eg need to treat 8 patients to have maybe 1 patient have benefit)

Varenicline I usually will warn can give vivid nightmares and also has link to suicides (so if someone suicidal very depressed I wouldnt give) although meta analysis suggests otherwise. Better be safe lah.

 

[ginfreely]

NNT is 8 vs placebo

What is NNT?

 

[nayr69sg]

What is NNT?

Number Needed to Treat

 

[syed putra]

I was told vaping van eliminate smoking habit. Smokers told me that.

 

[nayr69sg]

I was told vaping van eliminate smoking habit. Smokers told me that.

Vaping. What kind of extract or concentrate do you vape? Any nicotine in it?

Some people are just exchanging smoking nicotine in tobacco form to vaping in concentrate. Still better than the combustible material in cigarettes. Less ash.

But still got nicotine.

Overall still better

 

[syed putra]

Vaping. What kind of extract or concentrate do you vape? Any nicotine in it?

Some people are just exchanging smoking nicotine in tobacco form to vaping in concentrate. Still better than the combustible material in cigarettes. Less ash.

But still got nicotine.

Overall still better

Cigarettes you need to finish off entire stick.
Vaping, one or two puffs satisfy their cravings and can be controlled so they say. And after a while they can vape less frequent until cravings disappear. But who knows. I don't smoke.

 

[nayr69sg]

Cigarettes you need to finish off entire stick.
Vaping, one or two puffs satisfy their cravings and can be controlled so they say. And after a while they can vape less frequent until cravings disappear. But who knows. I don't smoke.

True. I have had patients say that before.

It is a viable option and most drs will not discourage vaping as a possible way to stop smoking.

In Canada we also have people vaping cannabis extracts eg THC and CBD.

The issue with vaping which we dont like as medical professionals is teens and youth vaping.

Cos those non nicotine products kids can buy. So they then get into habit of vaping strawberry or fruity extracts and then the next step of course is ones with nicotine.

This is why the tobacco industry is very heavily invested in the vaping industry too.

 

[syed putra]

True. I have had patients say that before.

It is a viable option and most drs will not discourage vaping as a possible way to stop smoking.

In Canada we also have people vaping cannabis extracts eg THC and CBD.

The issue with vaping which we dont like as medical professionals is teens and youth vaping.

Cos those non nicotine products kids can buy. So they then get into habit of vaping strawberry or fruity extracts and then the next step of course is ones with nicotine.

This is why the tobacco industry is very heavily invested in the vaping industry too.

Inventor of vape i was told is somebody from china. But he died impoverished as he was just toying with the idea. I could be wrong.

 

[nayr69sg]

Inventor of vape i was told is somebody from china. But he died impoverished as he was just toying with the idea. I could be wrong.

That one i dunno

 

[laksaboy]

Anti-smoking drug Chantix helps reluctant quitters: study​

FEB 18, 2015
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/...g-drug-chantix-helps-reluctant-quitters-study

Ownself funded study, ownself declare safe and effective.
Imagine my shock.

 

[Leongsam]

Vareniciline is the generic drug name. Champix is what I am familiar with as trade name.

The problem looks to be related more to batches that have a higher than normal Nitrosoamine levels. These act as alkylating agents and might be carcinogenic.

More as a precaution.

In any case my experience with Champix is that is seldom really works for patients. Studies show abstinence rate of 12 months in about 22% of patients who go on it. NNT is 8 vs placebo. (NNT means number to treat eg need to treat 8 patients to have maybe 1 patient have benefit)

Varenicline I usually will warn can give vivid nightmares and also has link to suicides (so if someone suicidal very depressed I wouldnt give) although meta analysis suggests otherwise. Better be safe lah.

I'm on Zyban. It's a fantastic drug I'm hooked.

 

[nayr69sg]

I'm on Zyban. It's a fantastic drug I'm hooked.

Bupropion. It is an SSRI antidepressant. Sold as Zyban for smoking cessation but as Wellbutrin for antidepression anxiolytic.

Also same NNT 8 vs placebo. Sama efficacy ie not great.

The difference is if a patient has underlying anxiety or depression then I would prescribe it or Wellbutrin as they have other benefits being on it.

Page from my notes I made studying for CCFP

 

[Leongsam]

Also same NNT 8 vs placebo. Sama efficacy ie not great.

It is not an SSRI it's unique in that it acts to boost dopamine levels which I find absolutely fantastic!

 

[nayr69sg]

It is not an SSRI it's unique in that it acts to boost dopamine levels which I find absolutely fantastic!

Yeah SNRI. Forgot liao.

Yes Wellbutrin more activating less sedation and less effect on libido and sexual dysfunction.

The thing is i was on this medication myself but it didnt do much for me. I also took Escitalopram aka Cipralex.

 

[Leongsam]

Yeah SNRI. Forgot liao.

Yes Wellbutrin more activating less sedation and less effect on libido and sexual dysfunction.

The thing is i was on this medication myself but it didnt do much for me. I also took Escitalopram aka Cipralex.

View attachment 114712

I started on Citalopram but it turned me into a limp dick. Zyban did the exact opposite plus it gave me boundless energy plus orgasms far more intense. I felt like I was 18 again.

Now my depression is gone but I still pretend to be a bit depressed when I see my doctor in order to stay on it. He wanted to increase the dose to 150mg x 2 daily so I said OK but I still just take 150 per day and stockpile the rest for a rainy day.

 

[nayr69sg]

I started on Citalopram but it turned me into a limp dick. Zyban did the exact opposite plus it gave me boundless energy plus orgasms far more intense. I felt like I was 18 again.

Now my depression is gone but I still pretend to be a bit depressed when I see my doctor in order to stay on it. He wanted to increase the dose to 150mg x 2 daily so I said OK but I still just take 150 per day and stockpile the rest for a rainy day.

Another popular one is Effexor aka Venlafaxine. But i remember being told that patients who start on it find it difficult to go off. Also risk of HTN. So i stay away.

Nowadays got people using Trintellix. Although i know little about it.

Also in really bad cases i have seen aripiprazole aka Abilify. It is more an antipsychotic though. I did try Saphris. Wah lau couldnr sleep! Mind kepr racing. I wont touch those antipsychotics ever again!

 

[ginfreely]

It is not an SSRI it's unique in that it acts to boost dopamine levels which I find absolutely fantastic!

@eatshitndie see? patients also can talk all these medical terms. Not just doctors.