Champix (varenicline)

Effective dosage:

One pack

Side effects:

• nausea
• dream pattern changes
• constipation
• gas
• vomitting

Drug Class: Quit smoking.

Champix detailed information:

Champix is a new product for smoking cessation. It works a non-nicotine based treatment. It works by reducing the severity of the smoker's urge to smoke and alleviating many of the withdrawal symptoms from nicotine. Although not a miracle cure, it's twice as effective compared to Zyban in helping to stop smoking. The drug is effective after a 12-week course, with 44 per cent of smokers stopping.

Champix is used by people who smoke become addicted to nicotine, a chemical in tobacco. Nicotine acts in the nervous system, where it binds to receptors and triggers the release of a chemical messenger, dopamine, which plays a part in the pleasure derived from smoking. The active substance in Champix, varenicline, can bind to some of these receptors, the a4ß2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. When binding to these receptors, varenicline acts in two ways: it acts like nicotine (partial agonist) and this helps to relieve craving symptoms, but it also acts against nicotine (antagonist), by taking its place, and this helps to reduce the pleasurable effects of smoking.

It should be used by smokers who are motivated to stop smoking, and who are also receiving additional advice and support. Smokers should first set a date when they will stop. Then they begin treatment with Champix 1 week before that date. Treatment starts with one 0.5 mg tablet daily for 3 days, this is followed by a further 4 days where the patient takes one 0.5 mg tablet twice daily.

From then on, the patient takes one 1 mg tablet twice daily until the end of treatment (12 weeks). A special pack with the correct quantities of both strengths of tablets is available when initiating treatment. The dose may be reduced to 0.5 mg twice a day in patients who do not tolerate the 1 mg twice daily dose. Patients who have severe problems with their kidneys should take Champix as 1 mg once daily. At the end of the 12 weeks, in patients who stopped smoking, doctors may choose to carry on treatment for another 12 weeks. They may also decide to stop the medicine progressively. The tablets are swallowed whole with water. They can be taken with or without food.

For further information about CHAMPIX, consult with your doctor.