Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
The participation of Dr. Ewald Horwath in this Forum is made possible by Boehringer Ingelheim.
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Hypomania and Chantix
Nov 14, 2007
Hi! I am hiv positive and hypomanic. I am on Seroquel (25mg small dose but really helpful), lithium (900 mg), Sustiva and Combivir (usual doses). I am currentely undectable and very stable on bipolar.
On the negative side, my lipids are not that great, so I am being encouraged to quit smoking.
I am interested in tying Chantix, since Zyban did not work for me before. Is an option for me or it is too risky?
I am particularly concerned with the following risks:
1) Interaction with the meds I am currentely in.
2) Liver damage
3) Mania trigger.
If the risk is manageable (mainly the mania, the first one did not appear to be a problem from what I understood from the literature), what are the signs of danger and what should I do if something wrong happens.
I am worried about it since I am living in a resource limited community where people cannot afford expensive psychiatric meds so doctors have no clinical experience or even information about these issues.
Best Regards
S.
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Response from Dr. Horwath
You should not have a problem with drug interactions, liver damage or triggering mania. Based on the potential benefits of stopping smoking, you have good reason to give it a try. There does not appear to be a substantial downside to giving Chantix a trial.
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