AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on drugs, both medical and "recreational". Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease. I am already a well established and highly rated expert in the pharmacy section of this site.
Publications Principal author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" Editions 1-4 published between 1994 and 2004 by Pearson Education, Australia. Author of the 5th edition published 2007.
Author of many scientific papers.
Education/Credentials BSc(Hons);MSc;PhD;HECert
Awards and Honors The 4th edition of my textbook was awarded the the Educational Book of the Year Award in Australia.
Past/Present Clients See my profile in the pharmacy section.
Expert: Dr Alan Galbraith Date: 5/28/2008 Subject: Hair loss and Chantix?
Question Hi Dr. Galbraith.
My girlfriend has taken Chantix for 2.5 months. She's never missed a pill and it achieved success almost immediately--repulsion toward cigarettes. It seems her habit is now broken, which is great. She's experienced mild side-effects including some nausea, crazy dreams, and disturbed sleeping patterns. Within the past two weeks or so she noticed a bald spot (quarter-sized) on the back of her head. Have there been any documented correlations between alopecia and Chantix? She has a stressful job and we believe the Chantix has enhanced the physiological response. It only makes sense that this development is the associated cause.
Fortunately, she seems to have kicked the smoking habit and is just two weeks away from the dosage ending, so she'll probably go ahead and stop taking the drug tomorrow in hopes her hair will grow back! Your insight is much appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris
Answer Dear Chris
The crazy dreams etc are quite common with Chantix but if they are only minor, they are nothing to worry about. Stopping smoking permanently is much more important. Howeever, serious disturbances like this should be reported to the prescriber. Smoking cessation often causes these symptoms without any drug therapy at all.
I can find nothing in the literature about alopecia occurring with Chantix but that does not necessarily mean it is not associated but unlikely. In most cases alopecia due to drug therapy is reversible even with the very potent drugs used in cancer so I would expect that the condition will regress once the drug is stopped. However, the alopecia may be due to something else and if it gets worse or shows no sign of improving I would recommend that a dermatologist be consulted.
