Chantix (varenicline) is a medicine used to assist in smoking cessation, often used in conjunction with counseling and behavior modification.

Chantix is not a nicotine replacement product and does not contain nicotine.

Who Uses Chantix?

Chantix is for smokers interested in quitting. Most smokers have a very difficult time quitting without some kind of assistance. Chantix is proven to reduce the desire to smoke, helping over 7 million smokers kick the habit in the USA alone.

How Does it Work?

Chantix works by eliminating the pleasurable effects of smoking in the brain. This helps gradually reduce the desire to smoke, since there is no longer any enjoyment from doing so.

Many smokers also benefit from behavioral changes, such as changing a routine which normally includes smoking, to break the habit. Behavior modification with the reduced pleasure of smoking from taking Chantix can be a very powerful tool in quitting once and for all.

Some smokers take advantage of counseling as well, to further improve the odds of successfully quitting. A counselor provides moral support and can suggest behavior changes as well as other tricks to break a habit.

How is it Taken?

Chantix comes in tablet form. The majority of patients will start out taking a low dose once a day, gradually increasing to twice a day, and eventually taking a higher dose twice a day. Treatment usually lasts 12 weeks. It is not unusual for for the prescribing physician to alter the dosage during this time, or add another 12 weeks of treatment if the patient still hasn't completely stopped smoking.

Typically Chantix is started one week prior to the date the patient intends to stop smoking. This allows the medication to build up in the system and ease the process.

Chantix should be taken after eating. A missed dose may be taken when remembered or skipped entirely if it is near time for the next dose.

Ingredients:

Active ingredient: varenicline tartrate
Inactive ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, colloidal silicon dioxide, microcrystalline cellulose, Opadry® Clear

0.5 mg tablets (white) also contain: Opadry® White
1 mg tablets (blue) also contain: Opadry® Blue

Patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in Chantix should not take this product.

Adverse Effects:

In some patients Chantix may impair reaction time and thinking processes. Caution should be used when starting Chantix until the effects are known for each individual.

Some patients also experience mood and behavioral changes, including agitation, depression, hostility, and even suicidal thoughts. To some extent quitting smoking alone may cause some of these mood changes, but Chantix may worsen them in some individuals. The prescribing physician should be notified if any of these symptoms are experienced.

Other side effects reported in clinical trials include:

• Nausea
• Difficulty sleeping
• Constipation
• Gas
• Vomiting

Contraindications and Interactions:

The prescribing physician should be notified if there is a history of depression or suicidal thoughts.

The physician should also be notified of any other pre-existing conditions and all medications, including non-prescription, being taken; and should be immediately advised of any changes in condition or medications. Chantix, as well as quitting smoking, may alter the effectiveness of other medications, particularly:

• Insulin
• Asthma medications
• Blood thinners

Chantix should not be taken by individuals hypersensitive to any of the ingredients.

If pregnant or nursing, speak with a physician about the benefits versus risks of taking Chantix.

Why Chantix?

Chantix has been thoroughly tested and has already helped millions of people quit smoking. For smokers serious about quitting, Chantix is a big step in the right direction.