Champix 0.5mg and 1mg

About Champix

Description

Champix contains the active ingredient varenicline and is a medicine which is used in adults to help them stop smoking. Champix can help to relieve the craving and withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping smoking. Champix can also reduce the enjoyment of cigarettes if you do smoke when on treatment.

Suitability

Do not take Champix if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to varenicline or any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet.

Important Interactions

You must tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take other medicines, in particular:

• theophylline (a medicine to treat breathing problems)
• warfarin (a medicine to reduce blood clotting)
• insulin (a medicine to treat diabetes)
• cimetidine (a medicine used for gastric problems)

Side Effects

• nausea
• vomiting
• indigestion
• constipation
• joint ache, muscle ache, back pain
• headaches
• difficulty sleeping
• abnormal dreams
• can cause dizziness or drowsiness - you should not drive or operate machinery if affected

There have been reports of suicidal thoughts or behaviour in people taking this medicine to help them give up smoking. It is very difficult to know if this is due to the medicine, as giving up smoking itself can make people depressed, especially if they already have a mental health condition. However, not all people experiencing depression and suicidal thoughts while taking this medicine had a previous history of psychiatric illness. If you begin to feel agitated or depressed, or experience any changes in your behaviour or thoughts about suicide you should stop taking this medicine and consult your doctor immediately.

Please Note

All medication can cause side effects. We have only listed a few to be aware of. Details of all side effects, including rare side effects to be aware of, are listed in the patient information leaflet (PIL). When completing your medical questionnaire, it is very important that you answer the questions truthfully. This is to ensure your doctor has a full picture of your medical history before prescribing. List all medicines you are already taking, including non-prescription and herbal medicines.

Alternatives

Nicotine replacement therapy is an alternative treatment to help you stop smoking. This is available as inhalers, gums, lozenges, sprays, micro tabs and patches. There is also another prescription medicine called bupropion (trade name Zyban), but this is not available through Anytime Doctor.

Looking after your medicine

Do not take medicines after the expiry date stamped on the pack. Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

Medicines are only intended to be used by the person they are prescribed for. Do not give your prescribed medicine to anybody else, even if they have the same symptoms as you. Medicines can be harmful if used by anybody other than the person they have been prescribed for.

References

Champix 0.5mg and 1mg Patient Information Leaflet

British National Formulary: varenicline

How should I take Champix?

The use of this oral medicine follows a set pre-determined route. You should set a date on which you will stop smoking and start taking this medicine one to two weeks beforehand. This is because the medicine needs time to start working.

The dose is increased gradually in the first week of treatment (follow the instructions given by your doctor) and should then be taken twice a day for 12 weeks. If you have successfully managed to stop smoking at the end of 12 weeks, your doctor may offer you a further 12 week course of treatment. The tablets should be swallowed whole with a drink of water. They can be taken with or without food. Please always take your medicine as directed by your doctor, or follow the detailed instructions in the patient information leaflet.