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Q. I noticed vile words coming out of my mouth after a week on the stop-smoking drug varenicline (Chantix). I had many "Did I really just say that?" moments. I turned into a mean, angry person on this drug.
I decided to go cold turkey instead and went on anti-anxiety meds for three days. That worked for me, and I've been totally smoke-free for 18 years now.
A. We have received more than a thousand comments about this medication. Some people have been very pleased with their results. For example, Steve said, "Took Chantix; quit smoking. No issues. Wonder drug."
Others, like you, experienced changes in behavior such as driving recklessly or picking fights. They have reported reactions such as depression, nightmares and suicidal thoughts.
We do not know of any way to predict who will benefit and who will react badly. We congratulate you on taking the important step to stop smoking.
Q. I have been taking levothyroxine for a few years to treat an underactive thyroid. You have written about not drinking coffee while you take this pill because it reduces absorption. Is there anything I can take that will improve absorption?
A. Coffee and tea can both interfere with the absorption of levothyroxine pills, such as Synthroid (Frontiers in Endocrinology, Sept. 12, 2022).
Research suggests that vitamin C might improve absorption. A study found that hypothyroid people had a higher rate of vitamin C insufficiency than healthy folks (Frontiers in Endocrinology, Oct. 23, 2025).
The researchers then tested supplements of 1 gram of vitamin C daily for those on levothyroxine. They found a benefit, but they caution that their placebo-controlled study was too small to be definitive.
As far as we can tell, there is no research to suggest that vitamin C could overcome the effects of coffee or tea on levothyroxine absorption.
We discuss many ways of dealing with hypothyroidism in our "eGuide to Thyroid Hormones." This online resource is located under the Health eGuides tab at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
Q. I have been suffering from long COVID-19 for years. The official diagnosis is PASC (Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID). I have fatigue, brain fog and post-exertion exhaustion.
When I ask about experimental treatments, the doctors always say, "More research is needed." Are there any studies underway that might offer some degree of optimism?
A. There are a number of clinical trials underway for treating symptoms of long COVID-19.
One involves the experimental drug bezisterim. It may reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity. Preliminary results suggest help for symptoms like yours.
Another clinical trial (LoCITT-T) involves the existing medication tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound).
This drug is used to treat diabetes and obesity. Scripps Research is running this one-year trial.
There have been anecdotal reports that similar GLP-1 agonist medicines might ease some symptoms of long COVID-19 (Clinical Autonomic Research, Feb. 25, 2026). But it will take large, well-controlled clinical trials like the one from Scripps to produce definitive answers.
We wish the National Institutes of Health (NIH) were more actively involved in supporting clinical trials to discover effective treatments for this devastating condition.
Health and Human Services (HHS) estimates that 18 million Americans are suffering from long COVID-19.
In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of King Features, 300 W. 57th Street, 41st Floor, New York, NY 10019, or email them via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is "Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them."