Champix, Chantix (Varenicline) Information

Champix, Chantix (Varenicline)

Champix, Chantix Information

Varenicline is the generic name of a medication that is sold as an aid to help people with smoking cessation (quitting smoking). It is marketed under the brand name champix in most parts of the world, and chantix in the United States.

Unlike nicotine gum and the patch, champix (like zyban) does not contain nicotine. It was approved by the US food and drug administration as a smoking cessation aid on may 10 in 2006. Besides cigarettes, it can also help people quit other products that contain nicotine.

Varenicline is a nicotine receptor partial agonist. It binds to nicotine receptors in the human body and prevents nicotine from binding to them. This reduces or eliminates the pleasant effects of nicotine, making it easier to quit smoking.

Champix, Chantix Dosage

Taking champix will not guarantee that you will quit smoking. For most people it will reduce the pleasant effects of nicotine. If there is no positive reward from smoking, the compulsion to have a cigarette is easier to resist.

Medications that aid in quitting smoking are more likely to succeed for patients who are motivated to stop smoking and who are provided additional advice and support.

To use champix you should set a date when you think you will be ready to stop smoking. Begin taking champix one week before this date, and be ready to quit seven days after the medication is started.

You may choose to quit smoking prior to seven days of treatment or you can continue to smoke for the first week you are on champix. Slowly tapering off your cigarette consumption is another option for the first week.

However, you should stop smoking completely by day 8 of your champix treatment. By starting to take champix a week before the day you plan to quit, you allow the concentration of medication in your body to build up to a more effective level.

Champix dose levels recommended by the manufacturer:
Days 1 to 3, take .5 mg (half a milligram) once daily
Days 4 to 7, take .5 mg (half a milligram) twice daily
Days 8 to the end of treatment, take 1 milligram twice daily

If you are taking champix twice a day, take one dose in the morning and one dose in the evening. Try to remember to take it at around the same time(s) every day. Champix should be taken after eating and with a full glass of water.

If you forget a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

You may slip and have a smoke during your treatment. If this happens, you may still be able to stop smoking. Continue to take varenicline and to try not to smoke again.

Patients should continue to be treated with champix for 12 weeks. After you have successfully stopped smoking at the end of 12 weeks, an additional 12 weeks treatment may be considered if you feel that it is necessary to help you stay away from cigarettes.

Patients who do not succeed in stopping smoking during 12 weeks of initial therapy, or who relapse after treatment, are encouraged to make another attempt (perhaps using another smoking cessation method) once factors contributing to the failed attempt have been identified and addressed.

In most countries a prescription is required to obtain champix. However, depending on what part of the world you live in, champix may be available over the counter (or behind the counter) without a prescription.

Champix, Chantix Side Effects

The side effects and warnings listed below are some of the more important ones. It is recommended that you read the entire prescribing information sheet that is available for chantix (champix).

To do so, visit the Pfizer website and do a search for either chantix if you live in the US, or champix in most other countries. Look for the 'prescribing information' document in the search results.

The most common side effects include nausea (30%), sleep problems, constipation, gas, and/or vomiting. If you have side effects that bother you or don’t go away, tell your doctor.

You may have trouble sleeping, vivid, unusual, or strange dreams while taking champix. Use caution driving or operating machinery until you know how it may affect you.

Champix should not be taken with other quit-smoking products. You may need a lower dose of champix if you have kidney problems or get dialysis.

Before starting champix, tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or if you take insulin, asthma medicines, or blood thinners. Medicines like these may work differently when you quit smoking.

Champix, Chantix Warnings

Some people have had changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts or actions while using champix to help them quit smoking.

Some people had these symptoms when they began taking champix, and others developed them after several weeks of treatment or after they stopped taking it.

Stop taking champix and call your doctor right away if you, your family, or caregiver notice agitation, hostility, depression, or changes in behavior, thinking, or mood that are not typical for you.

Other factors that your doctor should be made aware of are: suicidal thoughts or actions, anxiety, panic, aggression, anger, mania, abnormal sensations, hallucinations, paranoia, or confusion.

Also tell your doctor about any history of depression or other mental health problems before taking this medication, as these symptoms may worsen while taking champix.

Some people can have serious skin reactions while taking champix, some of which can become life-threatening. These can include rash, swelling, redness, and peeling of the skin.

Some people can have allergic reactions to champix, some of which can be life-threatening and include: swelling of the face, mouth, and throat that can cause trouble breathing.

If you have these symptoms or have a rash with peeling skin or blisters in your mouth, stop taking champix and get medical attention right away. Do not take champix if you have had a serious allergic or skin reaction to it.

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