How to Quit Smoking with Varenicline

What is Varenicline?

Varenicline is a prescription medication used to help individuals stop smoking by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

It works by partially stimulating nicotine receptors in the brain and blocking nicotine from binding to these receptors to help reduce cravings. By doing so, it counteracts the pleasurable effects of smoking, and helps ease cravings during the transitional period of quitting.

Varenicline used to be sold under the name Champix, but this product was discontinued in 2021. Varenicline is now offered in the unbranded form, and has been approved by the NHS as a stop-smoking treatment.

Is Varenicline effective?

Varenicline has been shown in clinical trials to be one of the most effective medications available for smoking cessation.

Studies demonstrate that individuals taking Varenicline are approximately two to three times more likely to quit smoking than those taking a placebo. Its efficacy is enhanced when used alongside behavioural support and counselling.

How long does it take to stop smoking with Varenicline?

The time required to stop smoking depends on the individual's response to treatment and their motivation to quit. You should start your course of Varenicline one to two weeks before your planned date of quitting smoking, to allow the medication to accumulate in the body.

The standard treatment course lasts for 12 weeks, though an additional 12 weeks may be recommended to prevent relapse.

What if I relapse while taking the treatment?

Relapse during Varenicline treatment is not uncommon and does not mean that the medication is ineffective.

If you relapse during a Varenicline course and begin smoking again, do not be discouraged or discontinue your treatment altogether. You should continue taking the medication as prescribed, and consult your healthcare provider for additional support or guidance.

Can I speed up the time needed to quit?

Quitting smoking is a complex behavioural and physiological process that varies between individuals. Individuals who are more motivated to quit can usually stop smoking with Varenicline sooner.

What are the health benefits of quitting?

Smoking cessation has many significant health benefits:

• Improved respiratory health: Stopping smoking can lead to better lung function, reduced coughing and wheezing and a lower risk of respiratory infections. Over time, lung capacity and endurance for physical activity also tend to improve.
• Reduced risk of health conditions: Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and oncological conditions. Quitting can significantly lower these risks, and improvements can be observed within weeks of cessation.
• Improved life expectancy: By quitting smoking, life expectancy can be extended by several years, especially if cessation happens before the age of 40. Even those who quit later in life can experience meaningful increases in lifespan and quality of life.

Recommended reading: What Happens When You Stop Smoking?

How to use Varenicline

You should start taking Varenicline 1 to 2 weeks before you plan to quit smoking. This is in order to ensure the treatment has sufficient time to stimulate nicotine receptors, meaning that individuals feel the effects of transitioning less intensely.

Varenicline tablets should be taken with water. Your treatment should be administered according to the following schedule:

• Days 1-3: One 0.5 mg tablet per day
• Days 4-7: Two 0.5 mg tablets per day, one in the morning and one in the evening
• Day 8 until the end of treatment: Two 1 mg tablets per day, one in the morning and one in the evening

The regular treatment course lasts for 12 weeks. If this is insufficient, and the individual continues to experience cravings, an additional 12-week course is recommended, maintaining the 1 mg dose twice daily.

Varenicline side effects

As with all medications, Varenicline can potentially cause side effects in some individuals, although these usually subside as the treatment course progresses. If you are worried about the side effects of the medication, speak to your doctor or GP.

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

• Inflammation of the nose and throat, abnormal dreams, difficulty sleeping, headache
• Nausea

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• 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

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• 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 mucous 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
• High blood sugar
• Heart attack
• Suicidal thoughts
• Changes in thinking or behaviour (such as aggression)

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

• 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
• Glucose in urine, increased urine volume and frequency
• Vaginal discharge, changes in sexual ability
• Feeling cold, cyst
• Diabetes
• Sleep walking
• Loss of contact with reality and unable to think or judge clearly (psychosis)
• Abnormal behaviour
• Severe skin reactions including Erythema multiforme (a type of rash) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a serious illness with blistering of the skin, mouth, around the eyes or genitals)
• Serious allergic reactions including angioedema (swelling of the face, mouth, or throat)

Not known:

• Transient loss of consciousness

Is Varenicline right for you?

Varenicline may be suitable if you are motivated to quit smoking. However, it may not be appropriate for individuals with certain mental health conditions or those taking specific medications. Fill out a quick, free online consultation with Pharmica in order to determine your suitability for Varenicline.