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Smoking cessation drug's link to depression countered 

A newer smoking cessation drug is not linked to an increased risk of self-harm or depression, a British study suggests.

Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have warned that people taking varenicline — sold in Canada as Champix and in the U.S. as Chantix — have experienced unusual feelings of agitation, depressed mood, hostility, changes in behaviour or impulsive or disturbing thoughts, such as ideas of self-harm or of harming others. . . .

Champix has been approved since April 2007. Of the 818 complaints about Champix Health Canada had received complaints on its adverse reaction database, 520 involved psychiatric problems, CBC News reported in February.

From January to November 2008, nearly 1.1 million Champix prescriptions were dispensed from Canadian retail pharmacies, according to IMS Health Canada, which tracks the pharmaceutical industry.

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