Champix is a medicine containing varenicline and it is used to stop smoking and help with withdrawal cravings. It is available as a starter pack which contains 0.5mg and 1mg tablets and as 1mg tablets (continuation pack). Champix has been shown in clinical trials to increase the chances of smoking two to three fold versus going 'cold turkey'.

Champix helps to reduce cravings or withdrawals as you quit smoking. Nicotine from smoking attaches itself to receptors in the brain. This releases dopamine and gives the euphoric feeling associated with smoking. Champix attaches to the same receptors and releases dopamine too. This stops any 'cold turkey' feeling or withdrawal associated when you stop smoking. Nicotine in the system is blocked from attaching to the receptors when the Champix is in place which reduces the large increases in dopamine usually released after a cigarette, hence reducing the reward.

There are lots of different methods to help you stop smoking for good.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is available in different forms and these include gum, patches, nasal spray, sublingual tablets and sprays. It provides an alternative source of nicotine to help ease the withdrawal symptoms when you stop smoking. The frequency of use and dose is gradually reduced over time until it is not needed at all. NRT provides a source of nicotine without the other harmful chemicals and tar that is found in cigarettes.

Often with NRT the nicotine takes longer to reach the brain compared with smoking and patients can find this difficult and discontinue treatment. The symptoms associated with withdrawal may be reduced with NRT but may not go away completely.

There is always a temptation to start smoking again with NRT, however with Champix the receptors in the brain are blocked. This makes you more likely to succeed as even if you have a cigarette, the nicotine will not have an effect.

Zyban (Bupropion) is another stop smoking treatment. It is an antidepressant that has also been shown to stop cravings and withdrawal associated when you stop smoking tobacco. It doesn’t replace nicotine or block the receptors like NRT orChampix. Its mode of action is unknown but it is thought it affects chemicals in the brain. Bupropion has been shown to be less effective than Champix and is no longer recommended.

Champix takes approximately one week to build up and it takes at least five weeks to see the full benefits.

Champix and Chantix are different names for the same drug, containing the same active ingredient, Varenicline. Champix is the brand name given to the drug in Europe, whereas Chantix is the name given in the US.

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If you have not taken Champix before, you need to use the starter pack first. This will help you gradually increase the dose to the recommended daily amount of 1mg twice a day. The starter pack contains enough tablets for the first 4 weeks of treatment.

A usual course of treatment of Champix is 12 weeks. This can be extended for another 12 weeks if you have been successful in the first 12 weeks. Chapmix has been shown to help 44% of people quit smoking after a full 12 week course.

The starter pack tablets are laid out exactly how you need to take them:

• Day 1 to 3 - Take one 0.5mg white Champix tablet.
• Day 4 to 7 - Take one 0.5mg white Champix tablet twice a day (morning and night)
• Day 8 onwards - Take one 1mg blue Champix tablet twice daily (morning and night)
• Up to day 8 you can continue to smoke when you want to, however after day 8 you need to decide on a day to stop smoking. This can be up to 5 weeks after day 8 if need be.

At the end of treatment when you have successfully stopped smoking, to reduce the chance of starting again it may be necessary to reduce or taper down the treatment to ensure you stay cigarette free.

Take the missed Champix when you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, omit the missed tablet. Do not take two tablets together to make up for the missed one.

The normal course of treatment for Champix is 12 weeks. This can be extended by another 12 weeks if necessary. We would not recommend using it continuously for longer than 24 weeks.

Whilst it is important to stop smoking when you are pregnant or breast-feeding, it is not recommended to use Champix and you should consult your doctor to decide upon the most effective treatment plan for your condition.

Before you start Champix you need to decide a day to stop smoking. This usually occurs at some point after eight days of taking the tablets. You can still smoke whilst taking the tablets until you decide you are ready to stop smoking. It is not unusual for the number of cigarettes you smoke to reduce daily as the tablet takes effect. You should not continue to smoke after five weeks of using Champix.

It is important to know that if you are taking Champix and develop suicidal thoughts, serious agitation, depressed mood, or display any significant changes in behaviour or thinking that are of concern you must stop taking Champix and inform your doctor immediately.

Varenicline is generally thought to be a safe medicine for most people. However, caution should be taken for some people.

Use with caution in

• Decreased kidney function
• Epilepsy

Not to be used in

• Pregnancy
• History of psychiatric illness, e.g. depression
• Children and adolescents under 18 years of age

We've teamed up with one of the UK's leading online pharmacies - regulated by the CQC and GPhC. Their team of fully-qualified doctors and pharmacists write and dispense all of our medication prescriptions.

Yes - if they think it's safe, our doctors will write a private prescription for you after you've answered our confidential online medical questionnaire. Your medication will then be sent straight out to you in the post - a fast, convenient and discreet service without any awkward doctors appointments required.

Yes - as long as your answers to our online medical questionnaire are accurate.

It is important to know that if you are taking Champix and develop suicidal thoughts, serious agitation, depressed mood, or display any significant changes in behaviour or thinking that are of concern you must stop taking Champix and inform your doctor immediately.

Common side effects can happen in up to 1 in 10 people, these include:

• Chest infection, inflammation of the sinuses
• 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

If you get these side effects, you can keep taking the medicine, but tell your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or don't go away.

It is important to know that if you are taking Champix and develop suicidal thoughts, serious agitation, depressed mood, or display any significant changes in behaviour or thinking that are of concern you must stop taking Champix and inform your doctor immediately.

Uncommon side effects can happen in up to 1 in 100 people, these include:

• Fungal infection, viral infection
• Feeling of panic, difficulty thinking, restlessness, mood swings, depression, anxiety, hallucinations, changes in sex drive
• Seizure, tremor, feeling sluggish, less sensitive to touch
• Conjunctivitis, eye pain
• Ringing in the ears
• Angina, rapid heart rate, palpitations, increased heart rate
• Increased blood pressure, hot flush
• Inflammation of nose, sinuses and throat, congestion of nose, throat and chest, hoarseness, hay fever, throat irritation, congested sinuses, excess mucus from nose causing cough, runny nose
• Red blood in stools, irritated stomach, change of bowel habit, belching, mouth ulcers, pain in the gums
• Reddening of the skin, acne, increased sweating, night sweats
• Muscle spasms, chest wall pain
• Abnormally frequent urination, urination at night
• Increased menstrual flow
• Chest discomfort, flu-like illness, fever, feeling weak or unwell.

If you get these side effects, you can keep taking the medicine, but tell your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or don't go away.

It is important to know that if you are taking Champix and develop suicidal thoughts, serious agitation, depressed mood, or display any significant changes in behaviour or thinking that are of concern you must stop taking Champix and inform your doctor immediately.

Rare side effects can happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people, these include:

• Excessive thirst
• Feeling unwell or unhappy, slow thinking
• Stroke
• Increased muscle tension, difficulty with speech, difficulty with coordination, reduced sense of taste, altered sleep pattern
• Disturbed vision, eyeball discolouration, dilated pupils, sensitivity to light, shortsightedness, watery eyes
• Irregular heartbeat or heart rhythm disturbances
• Throat pain, snoring
• Blood in vomit, abnormal stools, coated tongue
• Stiff joints, rib pain
• Glucose in urine, increased urine volume and frequency
• Vaginal discharge, changes in sexual ability
• Feeling cold

If you get these side effects, you can keep taking the medicine, but tell your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or don't go away.

You can find all the information you need on Champix in the Patient Information Leaflet (PLACEHOLDER PLACEHOLDER PLACEHOLDER PLACEHOLDER PLACEHOLDER ). We include one in every pack and suggest you give it a read before you take the medicine.

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