Stop Smoking Drugs
The Saskatchewan government is looking to help people quit smoking via two new Canadian drugs for which they will provide financial assistance in the New Year. However these new Canada drugs do not come without some risks of their own.
Champix and Zyban are the names of the two prescription Canadian drugs which will shortly become available under the government’s drug plan, but they come with some potential side effects, with Zyban, in its previous life as an anti-depressant, having been issued with a health warning from Health Canada that it could lead to side effects such as aggressive and depressive tendencies that could result in self harm and even suicide.
Pharmacist Spiro Kangles, however, says there is no cause for concern, admitting that while “In very, very rare instances it could affect people’s moods and behavior… (and) could exacerbate underlying mental conditions”, the chances were very low, with less than one percent of the population likely to suffer such side effects from the Canada drugs.
Tracee Smith from the Ministry of Health agrees. “There are lots of side effects that come with many drugs,” she points out. “A key piece is talking to your health care provider and your pharmacist, so you understand as a patient what you should be looking for and watching for.” Pfizer, which manufactures Champix, says it intends to work closely with Health Canada to monitor any adverse affects reported, while Health Canada agrees that at the moment, the benefits far outweigh the risks.
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