Take the Kick out of Smoking with Varenicline (Chantix)
If nicotine didn't give you that familiar buzz, would you still smoke? Maybe not. Maybe the habit alone would keep you going. But makers of the newest non-nicotine prescription quit-smoking drug, varenicline (Chantix), are betting that taking the kick out of nicotine will make it easier to kiss goodbye all the reasons for lighting up.
Chantix diffuses the pleasure of nicotine by beating it to the punch -- that is, it blocks nicotine receptors in the brain so that smoking can't stimulate them in the way it used to. That makes having a cigarette much less pleasurable, and that, in turn, should make it easier to resist the desire to smoke.
However, we seldom prescribe Chantix. A key reason is that you can't combine it with nicotine replacement therapy -- a major help for most quitters. Also, we've had years and years of good experience with bupropion. Why argue with success?
That said, Chantix adds another weapon to the stop-smoking arsenal and is useful for people who don't do well on other drugs. If you are interested in it, call your healthcare provider well ahead of your quit date to talk it over, check for interactions, and get a prescription. Chantix is typically started 8 to 14 days in advance of your quit date, and then is typically taken for about 3 months, but an additional 3 months may be needed for some people to stay smoke-free.
A Cautions List
As with all drugs, Chantix has some possible drawbacks you need to be aware of:
- Before taking Chantix, tell your healthcare provider if you have any history of psychiatric illness.
- If you have feelings of anxiety, nervousness, tension, depression, unusual behavior, or thoughts about suicide while taking Chantix or after you stop taking it, call your healthcare provider. Immediately.
- If you are breastfeeding, pregnant, or hope to become pregnant, you cannot take Chantix.
- If you are taking Chantix, you cannot use nicotine replacement therapy.
- If very vivid and unusual dreams disturb your sleep, talk with your doctor about lowering the dose.
- Be alert to any change in your ability to drive or operate heavy machinery.
- As your body adjusts to Chantix, you may have digestive side effects, such as constipation and gas. If you experience nausea or vomiting, try taking the drug after eating and with a full glass of water.
- If you have kidney problems, a lower dose of Chantix may be safer for you.
