Predicting Psychiatric Effects of Smoking Cessation Drugs

Some people who use medications to quit smoking experience psychiatric side effects. Now researchers say they have identified characteristics in individuals that can help predict whether they will experience these effects while taking a smoking cessation drugs.

Researchers conducted a secondary analysis of a 2016 study known as EAGLES, which examined psychiatric side effects associated with smoking cessation drugs and nicotine patches. The two most commonly prescribed such medications are Chantix (varenicline) and Zyban (bupropion). The EAGLES study was funded by Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline, the respective manufacturers of the two drugs. Earlier results found that about 6% of those with a prior history of mental illness had a moderate-to-severe psychiatric event while taking a smoking cessation medication, compared to 2% with no prior history.

The new analysis found that having anxiety, a history of suicidal ideation or behavior and being white were associated with a higher risk of significant psychiatric events – irrespective of current mental health status – while taking a smoking cessation aid, the researchers reported in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

In those with a history of mental illness, predictors of psychiatric side effects while using smoking cessation drugs were being young, female, a long-term smoker and having a history of psychiatric and substance abuse disorders occurring at the same time.

  • Articles
    • Health Topics Articles
      • Antidepressants and Anxiety Meds
      • Anxiety and Depression
      • Environmental Health
        • Microplastics
      • Health
      • Heart Health Archives
      • Mental Health
      • Microorganisms
        • Microbiome
      • Pregnancy
        • Breastfeeding
      • Tests and Screenings
      • Tests and Testing
      • Treatments
        • IVF
    • Medical Conditions Articles
      • COVID-19
      • cvd
      • Disorders
        • ADHD
        • Cardiovascular Disorder
        • Endocrine
        • Reproductive Disorder
        • Sleep Disorders
          • Sleep Apnea
      • Medical Conditions
        • Arthritis
        • Autoimmune Archives
        • Cancers
          • Breast Cancer
        • Chronic Pain
        • Depression
        • Disease
          • Allergies
          • Alzheimer's disease
          • Autoimmune Disease
            • Celiac Disease
          • Cancer
          • Diabetes
          • Epilepsy
          • GERD
          • Mpox
          • multiple sclerosis
        • Earwax
        • frontotemporal dementia
        • Fungal Infections
        • Hair Loss
        • Heart Disease
        • High Blood Pressure
        • HIV
        • Low T
        • Lung Disease
          • Asthma
        • Motion Sickness
        • Parkinson's Archive
        • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
        • primary progressive aphasia
        • Rash
          • Hives
        • Skin Condition
        • Spleen Conditions
        • Symptom
          • Erectile Dysfunction
        • Thyroid Disease Archives
        • Tuberculosis
      • Symptoms
        • Inflammation
          • Plantar Fasciitis
        • Voice
      • Syndrome
    • Medication Articles
      • Drug Interactions/Side Effects
      • Medications
        • Antibiotics
      • OTC
      • Prescription
    • Menopause
    • Wellness Articles
      • Body Health
        • Gut Health
      • Wellness
        • Alternative Healthcare
          • Alternative Medication
          • Alternative Therapy
        • Fitness
          • Exercise
          • Weight Loss
        • Nutrition
          • Diet
          • Food
          • Nutrients
          • Supplements
  • Blogs
  • Culture Desk
    • Reviews
      • Book Review
      • Film Review
      • TV Series Review
  • Eat and Delete
  • Featured Articles Catalogue
  • Featured Topics
  • Features
    • Ask The Pharmacist
    • Celebrity Medical Conditions
    • COVID-19: Updates
    • Fast Facts
    • FDA
    • FDA Watch
    • Featured Articles
    • First Person
    • First Person
    • Health Buzz
    • Health Pulse
    • Healthy Skeptic 2
    • Healthy Skeptic new
    • Issues Related to Healthcare
    • Need to Know
    • Quick Hits
    • Regenerative Medicine Series
    • Regenerative Medicine Series
    • Your Meds
  • MedShadow Articles
    • Health Journalism
    • Patient Story Articles
    • Protect from the Side Effects of Medication
  • Most Timely
  • News
    • ADHD News
    • Diabetes News
    • E-Cigarette News
    • New Stories
    • Opioid News
    • Steroids News
  • Podcast
    • Power to the Patient Podcast
  • Press Releases
    • Media Impact: Guest Articles
    • Media Impact: Quoted
  • Resources
    • Downloadables
  • Videos
    • Medical Animation Videos
    • MedShadow TV
    • Nutrition Videos
      • Food as Medicine
    • Patient Story