Champix
Champix, also known as varenicline tartrate, is a prescription medication used to help adults who want to stop smoking. The drug can help patients overcome withdrawal symptoms and reduce nicotine cravings. During the first one to two weeks, patients continue to smoke while taking the medication.
How Does Champix Work?
The human brain contains receptors to which nicotine can attach. These receptors signal the brain to release dopamine, a chemical that triggers a short-term sensation of pleasure. The desire to continue receiving pleasurable sensations leads the patient to continue smoking and leads to addiction. Researchers believe that Champix acts on the receptors in the brain and prevents nicotine from reaching them. Smokers receive less pleasure from the nicotine they inhale, allowing the physical cravings to diminish.
Champix Dosage
Champix tablets - manufactured by Pfizer, contain either 0.5 milligram or 1 milligram of varenicline. Although the doctor may prescribe a different dosage based on the patient's history, the normal dosage plan is one of the 0.5-milligram tablets daily for the first three days, increasing to one tablet twice per day for the next four days. Patients typically begin taking the 1-milligram tablets twice each day from the eighth day and continue this dosage for the balance of their treatment.
How Long Does a Course of Champix Last?
Most doctors prescribe an initial four-week course of varenicline that includes tablets of both strengths. After the first month, the doctor will assess the patient's progress and issue a new order for additional 1-milligram tablets. The normal treatment plan requires 12 weeks of medication, but studies have shown that patients who take Champix for 24 weeks achieve better long-term results.
How Effective is Champix?
In clinical studies, smokers taking Champix for 12 weeks had a success rate that was up to four times greater than those who received a placebo. Participants receiving Champix were approximately three times more likely to remain smoke-free when evaluated 12 months after receiving the medication.
Champix Side Effects
All medications carry the risk of unwanted side effects. Some patients taking Champix have reported depression, aggressive behaviour or thoughts, feeling anxious or agitated, mood swings and hallucinations. Those with existing mental health conditions can experience a worsening of their symptoms while taking Champix. More common side effects include nausea, constipation, indigestion, dizziness and headache. Some users have reported abnormal or vivid dreams, difficulty falling or remaining asleep, feelings of fatigue, an increase in appetite and dry mouth. Patients may experience changes in how foods taste, abdominal bloating and vomiting.
Patients should notify their doctors promptly should they experience trembling, vision problems or eye pain, bloody stools, or itching, red skin with or without a rash. Medical attention should be immediately sought if the patient begins wheezing, has shortness of breath or other breathing difficulties. Hives, painful blisters accompanied by fever, chills and muscle aches, and swelling of the mouth, tongue, lips, face, hands or feet are also symptoms for which medical attention should be sought immediately. Patients should stop taking Champix and seek immediate attention if they experience chest pain, fainting, confusion, difficulty in swallowing, weakness or numbness in the legs or arms, slurred speech, fast or irregular heartbeats, bloody vomit or an inability to speak.
What Other Medications Affect Champix?
Patients should tell their doctors about all medications, including prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins and homeopathic supplements. Those taking bupropion should not take Champix, and patients should not use nicotine patches, tablets, gum or inhalers should not stop using them before taking Champix. Certain medications, including insulin, the asthma medication theophylline and the blood thinner warfarin may require a change in dosages while taking Champix.
