I strongly believe my father and my family have become recent victims of the rare but severe adverse reactions linked to Champix™ in which my father had accidentally taken his own life during what appeared to be a major “psychotic event”.  He had been drinking in combination with taking Champix™ which appears to have resulted in hanging himself in the garden shed.  I had spoken to him only hours before and he was his usual happy self, just settling in for the night to watch some TV and have a few drinks.  He was a contented happy man with everything going for him and everything to live for.  He was happily married and had recently become a grandfather and was about to become one for the second time.  With no financial worries and his working life nearing an end he was positively looking forward to his twilight years of watching his grand kids grow up and share his retirement with my mother, family and his wide circle of friends. 

            He had began taking Champix™ in early February and had reported to the family that he had suffered from some of the more common side-effects including vomiting, headaches and disturbed sleeping but did not elaborate on why he thought his sleep had been effected.  On the 23^rd of March 2008 his body was discovered by my brother at the family home.  There was no note and there appears to have been no premeditation to the events.  The County Coroner has now recorded a verdict of "Accidental Death” because there was no intent to end his life.  In my opinion with the evidence that has been explained to me, he appears to have behaved completely out of character including damaging our home in a way that would be totally alien to my father given the pride he had in his home. 

In my mind there is no doubt that these pills, which are designed to mimic the “high” from smoking by releasing dopamine which effects behaviour, had a huge part to play in my father’s premature death. 

            Pfizer had sent 5 representatives to the Coroners court, 1 lawyer, 1 medical doctor, 1 pharmacovigilance expert and 2 observers.  The sheer weight of their presence tells me that they took this matter very serious and as predicted used the usual "well nicotine withdrawal causes behavioural changes".  When questioned by the coroner about known side effects the medical doctor repeatedly avoided saying the words "suicidal ideation", simply quoting mood swings as the only psychological symptom.  Now I plan to get as many examples as possible of people having behavioural side effects and hopefully provide enough statistical evidence to back tighter control of this substance.  Help in this matter is much appreciated so please email me with your story.