Varenicline Tartrate
About Varenicline Tartrate
Varenicline Tartrate is primarily used to treat nicotine addiction. Nicotine is an addictive chemical found in the tobacco plant. It produces pleasing effects on the brain when a person smokes a cigarette. Though the effect is temporary, it leads to the compulsive craving for one more cigarette.
Varenicline Tartrate contains Varenicline, which blocks the effects of nicotine by acting on the nicotinic receptors in the central nervous system.
The common side effects of Varenicline Tartrate include nausea, headache, vomiting, drowsiness, gas, constipation, trouble sleeping or insomnia, unusual dreams, and taste changes. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention. However, if the side effects are persistent, please seek medical help.
Brief your medical history if you have any heart, liver, kidney diseases, seizure (fits), mood disorders, and alcoholism before taking Varenicline Tartrate. Please inform your doctor if you are pregnant or currently breastfeeding before taking Varenicline Tartrate. Varenicline Tartrate is not recommended for use in patients younger than 18 years of age.
Uses of Varenicline Tartrate
Medicinal Benefits
- Varenicline Tartrate works as an aid in curing a nicotine addiction.
- It contains 'Varenicline,' which is a smoking cessation aid.
- It is a nicotinic agonist and blocks nicotine's effects by acting on the nicotinic receptors in the central nervous system.
- Varenicline Tartrate reduces the craving and withdrawal symptoms that occur after quitting smoking and during the treatment.
- It also decreases the sense of satisfaction or enjoyment that occurs while smoking, thereby helping adults quit smoking.
- It is advised to provide patients who are striving to quit smoking with proper emotional support and educational material while undergoing treatment with Varenicline Tartrate.
Directions for Use
- Varenicline Tartrate should be taken after food, or as a doctor advises.
- It is usually taken once or twice a day. However, follow your doctor's instructions regarding dosage and timing for optimal results.
- Swallow Varenicline Tartrate as a whole with a full glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Varenicline Tartrate
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Inflammation of the throat and nose
- Difficulty sleeping
- Dry mouth
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Cough
Drug Warnings
- If you are allergic to Varenicline Tartrate or any other medicines, please tell your doctor.
- If you have severe kidney or liver disease, inform your doctor before taking Varenicline Tartrate.
- Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Varenicline Tartrate.
- Varenicline Tartrate is not recommended for children below 18 years.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Varenicline Tartrate as it may increase intoxicating effects.
- If you develop any behavioural changes or suicidal thoughts, avoid taking Varenicline Tartrate and consult a doctor immediately.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Varenicline Tartrate may interact with a blood thinner (warfarin), antidiabetic drug (insulin), bronchodilators (theophylline), and antacids (cimetidine).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking Varenicline Tartrate as it may increase intoxicating effects.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have kidney or liver problems, inform your doctor before taking Varenicline Tartrate.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Varenicline Tartrate as it may increase intoxicating effects.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is recommended to avoid taking Varenicline Tartrate if you are pregnant. However, please consult your doctor if you are pregnant before taking Varenicline Tartrate.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorVarenicline Tartrate may be excreted in human milk. Therefore, please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding as it is given to breastfeeding mothers only if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks.
Driving
unsafeVarenicline Tartrate may cause drowsiness, dizziness or temporary loss of consciousness. Therefore, avoid driving if you experience any of these effects after taking Varenicline Tartrate.
Liver
cautionTake Varenicline Tartrate with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Varenicline Tartrate with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeVarenicline Tartrate is not recommended for children below 18 years as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Tobacco inhibits the absorption of important vitamins and nutrients, such as calcium, vitamins C and D. Thus, taking more fruits and vegetables into the diet will help to restore these nutrients and reduce cravings to smoke.
- Ginseng could weaken dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that is connected with pleasure and is released during tobacco consumption. Taking ginseng tea could reduce the craving for smoking.
- Chewing gum and mints are the best way to keep your mouth busy, especially when you feel the urge to smoke, so try to chew gum more.
- Physical workouts can help a person overcome tobacco cravings. When a person engages in physical activities like cycling, running, and walking, their attention shifts to exercise, and they do not feel the urge to smoke for some time.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Tobacco (nicotine) addiction: Smoking or chewing tobacco is both a psychological habit and physical dependence. Tobacco contains a chemical called 'nicotine', which is short-lived but highly addictive, and its regular usage can make a person crave it. Breathing or chewing tobacco provides a rush of adrenaline in the bloodstream and also triggers dopamine, which is associated with the brain's pleasure and reward centre. Regular nicotine consumption is hazardous to health and puts a person at high risk of lung and heart diseases. However, quitting nicotine is not an easy task. It causes withdrawal symptoms in the body, including irritability, frustration, anger, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, increased appetite, restlessness, depressed mood and insomnia (sleeplessness or lack of sleep).
FAQs
Varenicline Tartrate belongs to a group of medicines called smoking cessation aids used to reduce the craving to smoke and relieve withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking.
Varenicline Tartrate contains Varenicline tartrate that acts as a smoking cessation aid. It works by stimulating nicotine receptors in the brain and mimics the effect of nicotine. This produces an effect that decreases the urge to smoke and relieves withdrawal symptoms after quitting smoking.
You are not recommended to take cimetidine with Varenicline Tartrate as it may increase the levels of Varenicline Tartrate in blood especially if you have a severe kidney problem. However, please consult your doctor before taking other medicines with Varenicline Tartrate.
Varenicline Tartrate may cause depression, changes in behaviour or suicidal thoughts in some people. However, if you experience any of these, avoid taking Varenicline Tartrate and consult your doctor immediately.
You are not recommended to stop taking Varenicline Tartrate without consulting your doctor as it may worsen the condition. Therefore, take Varenicline Tartrate for as long as your doctor has prescribed it and if you experience any difficulty while taking Varenicline Tartrate, please consult your doctor.
You are recommended to consult a doctor before using Varenicline Tartrate with other smoking cessation therapies.
