Introduction
Champix (Varenicline)
To stop smoking requires willpower and motivation to give you the best chance of quitting. Champix is an effective agent used to help people stop smoking. A recent Cochrane review showed that Champix increased your odds of quitting 2.88 times compared to placebo. This means Champix more than doubles your chances of quitting, compared to quit by determination alone.
Champix contains the active ingredient varenicline to relieve the craving and withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking.
What is Champix and how does it work?
Champix is a plant-based nicotine-free medication that can help adults quit smoking. Its active ingredient, varenicline tartrate, is not addictive and works to relieve your cravings for a cigarette and withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking.
When you smoke, the nicotine from the cigarette targets the nicotinic receptor in the brain and releases dopamine – a short-term pleasure neurotransmitter. When you smoke a cigarette while taking Champix, the treatment blocks the nicotine from reaching the nicotine-receptor, reducing the enjoyment gained from smoking.
How do I use Champix?
Start the treatment about 1-2 weeks before the date you have set to stop smoking. Swallow Champix tablets whole with water at a starting dose of 0.5mg once daily for 3 days, followed by twice daily for 4 days. After a week, take 1mg twice daily for 11 weeks. You should continue to take Champix for 12 weeks. For those who have successfully stopped smoking after the 12-week course of treatment, they should take a follow up course for another 12 weeks: 1mg dose once daily to maintain abstinence. Total treatment time should be 24 weeks. Take the pills at the same time every day and if you forget a dose, do not take a double dose to make up for it.
Champix can be taken with or without food, but you need willpower and motivation to stop smoking.
- Days 1 – 3 0.5mg once daily (white tablet)
- Days 4 – 7 0.5mg twice daily (white tablet)
- Day 8 – end of treatment 1mg twice daily (light blue tablet)
After stopping the treatment, you may feel increasingly irritated, an urge to smoke and slight depression. In that case, you can taper off the medication slowly rather than stop abruptly.
Since Champix may make you dizzy or drowsy, be careful when driving.
Side Effects
Like most medication, Champix can have some side effects in additional to those of smoking withdrawal, which include: dizziness, nausea, headache, vivid dreams, change in appetite and drowsiness. However, you can get reduce the chance of abnormal dreams by taking Champix with food.
Product Information
View the patient information leaflet for CHAMPIX 0.5 mg.
View the patient information leaflet for CHAMPIX 1 mg.
Following a short consultation with our pharmacist we can supply you with Champix with no prescription necessary.
Service details
Price: Small charge
Frequency: When required…
Availability
Select your preferred pharmacy to visit their page and enquire about this service or just pop in when it suits you.
