Varenicline Tablets (Generic Champix)

What Is Varenicline and What Is It Used For?

Varenicline helps ease cravings and withdrawal symptoms while you quit smoking. Nicotine from cigarettes binds to receptors in the brain, triggering the release of dopamine, which creates the pleasurable sensation linked to smoking.

Varenicline binds to the same receptors and also releases dopamine, helping to prevent the 'cold turkey' sensation or withdrawal symptoms that can occur when you quit smoking.

Varenicline has been proven to make your chances of quitting smoking for good twice as likely.

Varenicline requires a prescription issued by a medical professional and as such, cannot be bought over the counter. If you would like to buy Varenicline from The Independent Pharmacy, you will be asked to complete an online assessment, which only takes a few minutes.

Varenicline is also sold under the brand name Champix. For a more comprehensive look, read our Champix guide and learn everything you need to know.

Varenicline Dosage

The Varenicline starting dose is 0.5mg, which should then be increased to 1mg.

Starting with the 0.5mg tablets and working up to the 1mg tablets reduces the chances of side effects and increases your chances of stopping smoking.

When using Varenicline you must decide on a ‘Quit date’ where you will give up cigarettes completely. This should normally be between Day 8 and Day 14 of treatment, however, it can be up to five weeks after starting treatment if you feel you are not ready to give up at an earlier date.

The usual amount of Varenicline to take is:

Week 1

Day 1 - 3: Take one 0.5mg tablet daily for 3 days.

Day 4 - 7: one 0.5mg tablet twice daily, one in the morning and one in the evening, for 4 days.

Week 2 - Week 12 

Day 8 until the end of treatment (end of Week 12): One 1mg tablet twice daily. Start from one to two weeks before intended quit date.

Varenicline Ingredients

Each Varenicline tablet contains either varenicline 0.5mg or varenicline 1mg as the active ingredient varies depending on the strength.

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet contained within your product packaging for a full list of ingredients.

Varenicline Side Effects

Like with any medicine, there is a chance that you could suffer from side effects. Although these are rare, we have listed some of the most common below.

Common side effects (up to 1 in 10 people):

• Chest infection, inflammation of the sinuses
• Strange, vivid or abnormal dreams
• Increased weight, decreased appetite, increased appetite
• Sleepiness, dizziness, changes in the way things taste
• Shortness of breath, cough
• Heartburn, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, feeling bloated, abdominal pain, toothache, indigestion, flatulence, dry mouth
• Skin rash, itching
• Joint ache, muscle ache, back pain
• Chest pain, tiredness
• Increased or decreased appetite

The above list is not extensive and there can be rarer, and more severe side effects. For all side effects and warnings, please see the patient information leaflet contained within the product packaging.

Varenicline Warnings

Before taking Varenicline, please read the Patient Information Leaflet included with the medication.
You should not take Varenicline if you suffer from epilepsy, seizures, heart or blood vessel problems unless under the supervision of your doctor.

Quitting smoking can affect the levels of various chemicals in your body, which may impact how your medications work. Some medicines that your doctor will need to monitor closely during your smoking cessation include theophylline (for breathing issues), warfarin (to prevent blood clots), and insulin (to treat diabetes).

Varenicline and Alcohol

Consuming alcohol while taking varenicline is thought to increase the risk of developing mood disorders or experiencing behavioural changes, therefore we would not recommend drinking while taking Varenicline. It can also compound the impact of any alcohol you do drink, making you feel more drunk than you really are.