Some side effects of varenicline may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These
side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine
. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
How long does it take for CHANTIX to kick in?
Some people need
a few weeks
for CHANTIX to work best. Take CHANTIX after eating and with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. It is recommended to take CHANTIX for a full 12 weeks. If you have completely quit smoking by 12 weeks, ask your doctor if another 12 weeks of CHANTIX may help you stay cigarette-free.
Does Chantix make you tired all the time?
CHANTIX may make you feel sleepy, dizzy
, or have trouble concentrating, making it hard to drive or perform other activities safely. Decrease the amount of alcoholic beverages that you drink during treatment with CHANTIX until you know if CHANTIX affects your ability to tolerate alcohol.
What does CHANTIX do to your body?
Chantix works by delivering a
one-two punch to smoking
: It blocks nicotine from reaching receptors in the brain, which breaks the pleasure cycle of habitual smoking, and prevents cravings by releasing small amounts of dopamine.
Does CHANTIX cause sleeplessness?
The most common side effects of CHANTIX include
nausea
, sleep problems (trouble sleeping or vivid, unusual, or strange dreams), constipation, gas, and/or vomiting.
Does Chantix make you gain weight?
Does Chantix Cause Weight Gain? Unfortunately, many people who quit smoking do gain weight, regardless of the method they use to quit smoking. Weight gain rates are similar for people who quit cold turkey, use Chantix, or use nicotine replacement therapy.
The average weight gain is about 10 pounds
.
What happens if you continue to smoke while on Chantix?
Chantix mimics a low dose of nicotine, which eases the symptoms that are common when going through withdrawal. It also blocks nicotine from binding to receptors, essentially rendering it ineffective. If a person smokes while taking Chantix,
they do not get the normal nicotine boost and smoking actually becomes bland
.
Should I take CHANTIX in the morning or at night?
CHANTIX should always be taken after eating, with a full glass (8 oz) of water. During the first week of taking CHANTIX, your dose will gradually increase. Take 1 white pill (0.5 mg) daily. Take
1 white pill (0.5 mg) in the morning and 1 in the evening
.
How long can you take CHANTIX and still smoke?
After you start taking CHANTIX, you can
smoke up until your quit date
, which depends on the quit approach you choose. There are 3 approaches to using CHANTIX to help you quit. When taking CHANTIX, you can choose a quit date that is after a week or up to a month after your start date.
What is the success rate of using CHANTIX?
Preliminary studies suggest the one-year abstinent rate for Chantix is
about 20%
. Other studies have shown Chantix users were 60% more successful at quitting smoking at 1 year compared to Zyban.
Do lungs stay black after quitting smoking?
This process can occur over and over during a person's life. This is not to say that healing doesn't take place when someone quits smoking. It does. But
the discoloration in the lungs may remain indefinitely
.
How long can you safely take Chantix?
You should take CHANTIX for the
full 12 or 24 weeks
(3 or 6 months), depending on the quit approach you and your healthcare provider decide is right for you. Always take CHANTIX as prescribed.
Can the lungs heal after quitting smoking?
Your lungs are a remarkable organ system that, in some instances, have the ability to repair themselves over time. After quitting smoking,
your lungs begin to slowly heal and regenerate
. The speed at which they heal all depends on how long you smoked and how much damage is present.
Can I take CHANTIX at bedtime?
CHANTIX DOSING
Take 1 white pill (0.5 mg) daily. Take 1 white pill (0.5 mg) in the morning and
1 in the evening
. Take 1 blue pill (1 mg) in the morning and 1 in the evening.
Does CHANTIX affect your mood?
CHANTIX: Some people have had changes in behavior,
hostility, agitation, depressed mood
, suicidal thoughts or actions while using CHANTIX to help them quit smoking. Some people had these symptoms when they began taking CHANTIX, and others developed them after several weeks of treatment or after stopping CHANTIX.
What happens if you drink alcohol while taking CHANTIX?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that varenicline (Chantix) can
alter people's reaction when drinking alcohol
, potentially causing a lowered tolerance, blackouts, and aggressive behavior.
