Did Chantix cause problems?

Q. My mom (age 70) took Chantix for two weeks to help her quit smoking. She stopped the drug a week ago, but she is now confused, dazed, paranoid, has hallucinations and cannot concentrate or function. This seems to be worse each day.

I took her to the doctor this morning. He ordered a blood test and told her to come back in three weeks. I’m afraid she could be dead before then. Does this go away in time?

A. We appreciate your concern. The side effects you mention are among those listed in official prescribing information for Chantix:

“Serious neuropsychiatric symptoms have been reported in patients being treated with CHANTIX. ... These postmarketing reports have included changes in mood [including depression and mania], psychosis, hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, homicidal ideation, hostility, agitation, anxiety, and panic, as well as suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and completed suicide. ... When symptoms were reported, most were during CHANTIX treatment, but some were following discontinuation of CHANTIX therapy.”

It is not clear how long it may take for such symptoms to disappear.

Please get back in touch with your mother’s doctor right away.

Q. I have noticed a lot of hair loss in the past two months. It began after I started three new medications.

I asked at the drugstore and was told that none of these drugs has hair loss as a side effect, but I am not sure I believe that.

I take fenofibrate for high cholesterol, Lyrica for fibromyalgia and naproxen for pain from fibromyalgia.

Can any of these drugs cause hair loss?

I have lost so much hair that it is all over the place. I even find it falling out when I am just sitting around.

A. Hair loss (alopecia) is listed as a possible side effect of each of your three new medications: fenofibrate (Fenoglide, Lipofen, Tricor), pregabalin (Lyrica) and naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn).

We don’t know how the person at the pharmacy overlooked this information.

Please talk with your doctor about possible changes in your drug regimen to stop the hair loss.

We are sending you our Guide to Hair and Nail Care, with a list of drugs that may lead to hair loss and ways to counteract thinning.

Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. H-31, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our website: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of The Vindicator or e-mail them via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Recipes & Remedies From The People’s Pharmacy.”

2010 King Features Syndicate Inc.