About 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 the transitional period of quitting.
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?
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 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 strategies.
Can I speed up the time needed to quit?
Quitting smoking is a complex behavioural and physiological process that varies between individuals, so it’s advisable to be patient as you start taking the medication. Individuals who are more motivated to quit will stop smoking with Varenicline sooner.
What are the health benefits of quitting?
Smoking cessation has many significant health benefits:
- Improved respiratory health:Stopping smoking leads to better lung function, reduced coughing and wheezing and a lower risk of respiratory infections. Over time, your lung capacity and endurance for physical activity also will improve.
- Reduced risk of health conditions:Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and oncological conditions. Quitting significantly lowers these risks, with improvements observed within weeks of cessation.
- Improved life expectancy:By quitting smoking, you may add several years to your life expectancy, especially if you stop before the age of 40. Even those who quit later in life experience meaningful increases in lifespan and quality of life.
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.
Take Varenicline tablets whole with water, with or without food, beginning with one 0.5mg tablet per day for the first three days. From days 4 to 7, take two 0.5mg tablets per day, one in the morning and one in the evening.
From day 8 until the end of treatment, take two 1mg tablets per day, one in the morning and one in the evening.
Varenicline treatment typically lasts for 12 weeks. For individuals who successfully quit smoking during this initial period, an additional 12-week course at a dose of 1mg twice daily is recommended to help prevent relapse, extending the total treatment duration to 24 weeks.
Possible side effects of Varenicline
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 more than 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
- Stiff joints, rib pain
- Glucose in urine, increased urine volume and frequency
- Vaginal discharge, changes in sexual ability
- 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 consultation with Pharmica in order to determine your suitability for Varenicline.