"I Blame Chantix for My Daughter's Suicide"

Sacramento, CAThere's nothing worse than the death of your child. Actually there is something worse—knowing that your child's death could have been prevented. Ann (not her real name) believes that Chantix is to blame for her daughter's suicide.

At first, Ann blamed her daughter's prescribing doctor for Susan's (not her real name) suicide, but she now understands that the Chantix manufacturer neglected to warn doctors of Chantix adverse events, including suicidal thoughts. Chantix should never have been prescribed to anyone suffering with mental health issues such as depression.

Chantix warnings weren't made public until late 2007, just about the same time that Susan, who was 48 years old, had her Chantix prescription filled. "Susan had been on meds for depression for years and she had it under control," said Ann, on the verge of crying. "She worked as a medical assistant in a doctor's office and loved her job. A few of the doctors knew that she was depressed but it was never an issue. She loved people, and got along with everyone. She put patients at ease and made so many friends.

"But after she started taking the Chantix, Susan became withdrawn and didn't call me much, which was very unusual. She lived nearby and didn't visit so much anymore. When she came over, it was always big hugs but it got to where I gave her hugs and got nothing in return. I should also mention that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was going through radiation at the time, which didn't help. She took days off work, but I think it was because of the depression. She would have radiation in the morning—sometimes I went with her—and she would go back to work the same day—she was very work-oriented and didn't seem too affected by the cancer treatment.

"Sadly, I wasn't aware of the symptoms of depression. In retrospect I can see what was happening to her but at the time I didn't understand it. She started taking Chantix at the end of December 2007, and passed away May 10, 2008.

"There is a 'guest book' in the Sacramento Bee where anyone who knew her can write about their experiences with Susan. People keep adding stories and anecdotes to this book so I kept it open. It makes me cry every time I read them, it's bittersweet…

"Before she died, Susan called me earlier in the week; we were having dinner and she said she would call back. But that's the last time I heard from her—she didn't call back; apparently that night she took a lot of sleeping pills and couldn't go to work for a few days. (I found out from a doctor at work.)

"The night before Susan passed away she called one of the doctors from work and complained that she wasn't getting enough support. This doctor knew that Susan was in a bad way, so she called a doctor who was closer to my daughter. The doctor called her the next morning, but it was too late.

"The property manager found her. He has a little dog—Susan loved animals. The dog ran upstairs to her apartment and the door was ajar—Susan had a cat. The dog went into her apartment looking for her and the property manager just followed his dog inside. Susan hung herself. I'm thankful that I didn't find her—I don't want to keep that image in my mind.

"She never did quit smoking.

"I feel very strongly that Chantix was to blame for her suicide. I know she had a problem with depression but I also know it was under control. As soon as she started taking Chantix, her personality changed so much, she became someone else. I guess I put it down to her going through the radiation. But then I read about Chantix and the way it affected people, I knew that drug was to blame.

"I didn't talk to any of the doctors she worked with about Chantix—it was too upsetting. I think everyone in her office knows not to prescribe Chantix to anyone with emotional problems. They were all devastated. Her GP, who prescribed Chantix, moved to another town but I never found out where she moved to. I think her GP left town because she feels in some way responsible for Susan's death…

"Reading about Chantix on LawyersandSettlements made me more aware of how dangerous this drug really is. I found the Chantix box with some of the pills left—it was only her second prescription. I see that the Chantix makers now have a warning on the package saying that Chantix may cause depression, but do all doctors know that? The people who take Chantix are usually on anti-depressants and probably think they are immune to psychological side effects. How wrong that is."