Champix (2 Weeks Pack)

Manufacturer: Pfizer

Pharmaceutical name: Varenicline

Pack: 28 pills (1 mg)

Champix is one of the most recent and highly effective solutions aimed at assisting you in quitting smoking. It contains the active component Varenicline, a medication designed to aid individuals who are addicted to nicotine in their efforts to stop smoking. It operates within the brain, although it differs from nicotine replacement therapies.

 

You should choose a quit date and begin taking Champix one to two weeks prior. This allows the medication time to begin its effects. The dosage is gradually increased during the initial week of treatment (adhere to the guidelines provided by your doctor or pharmacist), and then Champix should be taken twice daily for a duration of 12 weeks. If you have successfully quit smoking by the end of this period, your doctor may propose an additional 12-week treatment course. The tablets should be swallowed whole with water and can be taken either with food or on an empty stomach.

 

It is advisable to seek as much support as possible while attempting to quit smoking, even while on Champix, as this can enhance your chances of success. Support can be provided by your doctor, practice nurse, or local pharmacist.

 

The starting dosage is one 0.5mg Champix tablet daily, which then escalates to two 0.5mg tablets per day. You should aim to quit smoking in the second week of treatment while taking two 1mg tablets daily until the treatment concludes. Champix should be taken around the same time each day with water, and it can be consumed with or without food. The overall treatment duration is 12 weeks; however, you may continue for an extended period if Champix proves beneficial.

 

Use with caution if you have: reduced kidney function; a history of psychiatric disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder; or epilepsy.

 

Should not be used during pregnancy.

 

Champix is not recommended for individuals under 18 years of age, as there is no information available regarding its safety and effectiveness in this demographic. It should not be used if you have a known allergy to any of its components. Please notify your doctor or pharmacist if you have had such an allergy in the past. If you suspect an allergic reaction, discontinue use of this medication and contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

 

Quitting smoking, with or without treatment, may lead to various symptoms. These can include shifts in mood (such as feelings of depression, irritability, frustration, or anxiety), trouble sleeping or focusing, a reduced heart rate, and increased appetite or weight gain.

 

Medications and their potential side effects can manifest differently in individuals. Below are some known side effects associated with the use of Champix for smoking cessation. It is unclear whether these side effects stem from Champix itself or from the act of quitting smoking. The presence of a side effect listed here does not imply that every individual taking Champix will experience that or any side effect.