Champix (Varenicline) – Quit smoking with the latest smoking cessation drug
If you are above the age of 18 and want an aid to quit smoking, get Champix varenicline. It is manufactured by Pfizer and is only available on prescription. If you have made up your mind to quit smoking, ask a doctor if Champix varenicline is right for you. If you quit smoking with Champix (varenicline), it will help you by curbing nicotine cravings and reducing withdrawal symptoms. Champix also helps by reducing the pleasure associated with smoking.
About Champix – Quit smoking drug
The active ingredient in Champix is varenicline and it works by interfering with nicotine receptors in the brain. This part of the brain is related to smoking addiction. Champix affects nicotine receptor in two ways – first it imitates nicotine and attaches itself to the receptor to give the same pleasure like that of nicotine and second it blocks nicotine from attaching to receptors as varenicline binds to the receptors more tightly.
Champix varenicline quadruples the chances of successful smoking cessation as compared to quitting smoking without an aid. As Champix does not contain nicotine like some other quit smoking aids, it is non-addictive in nature. This helps you quit smoking without having to resort to other forms of nicotine.
Ingredients and strength of Champix
The active ingredient in Champix is varenicline. It is non-addictive in nature and mimics the effect of nicotine in brain. This relieves withdrawal symptoms and nicotine cravings and makes it easy for you to quit smoking.
Champix varenicline comes in a weekly dose pack and the starter pack lasts for two weeks. The starter pack includes 0.5mg tablets and 1mg tablets, which are coloured white and light blue respectively. This helps in easy recognition.
The recommended standard dosage for Champix varenicline is as follows:
Days 1-3 -- 0.5mg once daily
Days 4-7 -- 0.5mg twice daily (morning & evening)
Days 8-End of primary treatment -- 1.0mg twice daily (morning & evening)
If you continue to take Champix varenicline for further abstinence, you can take two Champix tabletsof 1mg from the 9th day until the end of the treatment. Normally, this is the standard dosage to quit smoking, recommended by doctors.
Always take Champix varenicline after eating and with a full glass of water and do not double dose if you miss a dose, just continue as normal.
If your doctor prescribes some other dosage schedule than the standard recommended dosage, follow his instructions. The schedule of your current medications or your tolerance level may have resulted in dosing difference.
Side effects of Champix varenicline
Champix side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent for different people depending on individual body type. The most common side effect of Champix varenicline is nausea. Most people who take Champix to quit smoking do not necessarily experience side effects. Nevertheless, it is important that you know about them, so that you will know during the quit smoking treatment, if you experience any side effect of Champix varenicline. You may or may not experience one or any of the side effects mentioned below:
- abdominal pain
- appetite changes
- exhaustion
- constipation
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- flatulence (passing gas)
- headache
- heartburn
- vomiting
- rash
- sleeping problem (difficulty sleeping or abnormal dreams)
- gingivitis
If you experience any of the above side effects of Champix varenicline and they become specifically bothersome, inform your doctor immediately.
Is Champix a safe quit smoking drug?
There are certain people and situations for which Champix varenicline is not safe. Other than that you can proceed to take Champix varenicline after consulting a doctor.
- If you are below 18 years of age or above 65 years of age
- If you are pregnant or are a lactating mother
- If you are allergic to varenicline or any other ingredient of Champix
- If you have kidney problems
- If you are taking medications for asthma, diabetes, vitamin or herbal tablets or blood thinners
If you have any such problems, do not take Champix varenicline to quit smoking.
Remember, it may not always be easy to stop smoking
