Varenicline
About Varenicline
Varenicline is a prescription medicine designed to help adults stop smoking. Its primary medical purpose is to assist people in breaking their nicotine dependence by targeting the brain's response to tobacco. This medicine helps ease the transition to a smoke-free life by reducing the urge to smoke.
To get the best results, you must take Varenicline consistently every day, usually starting one to two weeks before your planned quit date. It is best to take this tablet with a full glass of water after eating a meal to help prevent stomach upset. Combining this medicine with behavioral counseling and a strong support system greatly improves your chances of quitting.
Some people experience common side effects like nausea, trouble sleeping, and unusual or vivid dreams. If you notice severe changes in your mood, feel unusually depressed, or have thoughts of harming yourself, stop taking this medicine and consult your doctor immediately.
Talk to your doctor before starting Varenicline if you have a history of mental health conditions, kidney problems, or seizures. Do not take this if you have had a severe allergic reaction to this medicine in the past, or if you are under 18 years of age.
This medicine can interact with alcohol, which may change how you react to drinking or increase your risk of mood changes. It is also important to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, as these groups may require special monitoring or alternative options.
Uses of Varenicline
• Smoking Cessation: Varenicline is primarily prescribed to assist individuals in quitting smoking by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with nicotine addiction.
• Behavioral Support: When combined with behavioral counselling, Varenicline significantly increases the chances of achieving long-term success in smoking cessation.
• Long-Term Benefits: Regular use of Varenicline can lead to improved overall health by lowering the risk of smoking-related illnesses, promoting better physical well-being.
Medicinal Benefits
Here are the key benefits of Varenicline in supporting smoking cessation:
- Reduces nicotine cravings: Helps lessen the strong urge to smoke, making it easier to quit and stay smoke-free.
- Relieves withdrawal symptoms: Eases common withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, frustration, anxiety, and restlessness that can occur after quitting smoking.
- Reduces the rewarding effects of smoking: If you smoke while taking Varenicline, it reduces the pleasurable effects of nicotine, making smoking less satisfying and helping prevent relapse.
- Improves the chances of quitting successfully: Supports long-term smoking cessation when used alongside counselling, behavioural support, and lifestyle changes.
Directions for Use
- Take Varenicline with food to minimise potential nausea or as advised by your doctor.
- It is advised to take Varenicline 1 to 2 times daily, start taking Varenicline and decide a date to quit smoking between 8-35 days after you start treatment; however, follow your doctor's recommendation regarding the dosage and duration.
- Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Varenicline
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Nausea or upset stomach
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Vivid, strange, or unusual dreams
- Headaches
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Severe changes in mood, behavior, or thinking (such as depression, agitation, or suicidal thoughts)
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction (such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, and difficulty breathing)
- New or worsening chest pain or shortness of breath
- Seizures or fits
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Monitor your mood: Ask a family member or friend to watch for any changes in your behavior, mood, or thinking while taking this medicine.
- Stop taking the medicine immediately if you experience feelings of depression, hostility, or suicidal thoughts, and call your healthcare provider right away.
- Be careful driving: Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing dangerous tasks until you know how this medicine affects your coordination and alertness.
- Disclose your medical history: Ensure your doctor knows if you have a history of kidney disease or cardiovascular issues before you start treatment.
- Check packaging: Always inspect your tablets to ensure they are undamaged before taking them.
Drug Interactions
The following medicines may interact with Varenicline. Inform your doctor about all the medicines and smoking cessation products you are using before starting treatment.
- Other smoking cessation therapies (such as nicotine patches or gum): Combining these with Varenicline may increase the risk of side effects like nausea, headache, and dizziness.
- Cimetidine (acid reflux medicine): May increase the amount of Varenicline in your blood, increasing the risk of side effects, especially if you have kidney issues.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid drinking alcohol while taking Varenicline as it can worsen your side effects like dizziness and drowsiness.
Pregnancy
cautionVarenicline is a pregnancy category C drug. Animal studies of Varenicline during pregnancy showed harmful effects on the developing baby. Please consult your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or are already pregnant before starting Varenicline.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere is limited data on how Varenicline affects breastfeeding. However, using Varenicline while breastfeeding may make the breastfed infant vomit or develop seizures/fits. It is advised to decide on discontinuing Varenicline or discontinuing breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Driving
unsafeDo not drive or operate machinery if you experience dizziness and drowsiness while using Varenicline.
Liver
cautionVarenicline should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. If you have a history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment, let your doctor know. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Varenicline.
Kidney
cautionVarenicline should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. If you have a history of kidney diseases, let your doctor know. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Varenicline.
Children
unsafeVarenicline is not recommended in children or adolescents younger than 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Establish a firm quit date: Choose a day to stop smoking, usually 1 to 2 weeks (7 to 14 days) after starting Varenicline, unless your doctor recommends a more flexible quit plan, which may allow a quit date up to 35 days after starting treatment.
- Take with food: Always take your dose after a meal to help prevent the common side effect of nausea.
- Limit alcohol intake: Keep alcohol consumption to a minimum, as this medicine can lower your tolerance to alcohol and increase the risk of mood swings.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help manage dry mouth and support overall wellness.
- Join a support program: Combine the medicine with counselling, behavioural therapy, or support groups to significantly boost your chances of long-term success.
Special Advise
- Close monitoring of renal function is advised in patients with renal failure or kidney disease.
- Monitor your heart condition (if you are a heart disease patient) with an electrocardiogram (ECG).
- It is recommended to seek advice from a mental health doctor if you notice any mood changes and suicidal thoughts while using Varenicline.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
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. This effect is temporary, but it leads to the compulsive craving for one more cigarette. This continuous process of wanting to smoke despite a strong will to quit smoking is known as nicotine addiction/nicotine dependence. Symptoms include frequently failing to stop smoking, giving up social gatherings to smoke, and withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit smoking. Starting to smoke at a young age (18 years) is also a primary reason for nicotine addiction. Anyone with a history of alcoholism or drug abuse is at an increased risk of developing a nicotine addiction.
FAQs
Varenicline is a smoking cessation aid used to treat nicotine addiction.
Varenicline contains Varenicline, a smoking cessation aid. Varenicline helps to cure nicotine addiction by decreasing the sense of pleasure you get while smoking and blocks the effect of nicotine chemicals by acting on the brain.
You could undergo nicotine replacement therapy while using Varenicline only if the doctor advised you to do so. However, using a nicotine patch or other forms of NRT while being treated with Varenicline may cause undesired effects. If you experience any worsening side effects, it is advised to continue one therapy after another or do as prescribed by the doctor.
Varenicline should be cautiously used only under a doctor's supervision if you have any liver, kidney diseases, mood disorders (depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder), heart diseases (coronary artery disease, stroke), fits, blood vessel disorders (peripheral vascular disease), alcoholism, and drug abuse.
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.
Neuropsychiatric events like depression, delusions, hallucinations, aggression, suicidal thoughts, and suicidal attempts are reported in patients using Varenicline. If you experience any mood changes, agitation or depression, please stop taking Varenicline and consult your doctor immediately.
The occurrence of seizures is reported in patients with a seizure disorder while using Varenicline. Hence, Varenicline is cautiously recommended for use, and close monitoring is required in patients with a history of seizures/fits disorder during the course.
You may experience withdrawal symptoms with or without the use of Varenicline. Hence, it is advised to closely monitor for any symptoms like increased appetite, weight gain, trouble sleeping, slower heart rate, anxiety, restlessness, and urge to smoke. If you experience any withdrawal symptoms, please seek medical help immediately.
Varenicline is not recommended in children or adolescents younger than 18 years of age.
Varenicline is not an over the counter medicine. It is a Rx medicine that requires prescription.
The common side effects of Varenicline include nausea, headache, vomiting, drowsiness, gas, constipation, trouble sleeping or insomnia, unusual dreams, and taste changes. Most of these side effects of Varenicline do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, please seek medical help.
Take Varenicline as advised by the doctor. To help you remember to take Varenicline, take it at around the same time daily.
Yes, you typically start taking the medicine while you are still smoking and set a quit date within the first few weeks of treatment. This helps the medicine build up in your system. Talk to your doctor to set your personalized quit schedule.
Nausea is a very common side effect. You can manage this by taking the tablet with a full glass of water immediately after eating a meal. If the nausea persists or becomes severe, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Gaining weight is a common result of quitting smoking in general, rather than a direct side effect of the medicine itself. Staying active and eating a balanced diet can help manage weight changes. Talk to your doctor for advice on healthy weight management.
It is best to limit or avoid alcohol. This medicine can increase the effects of alcohol, lower your tolerance, and increase the risk of sudden mood or behavior changes. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about alcohol use.
The safety of this medicine during pregnancy is not fully known. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, you should discuss alternative quitting methods with your healthcare provider. Talk to your doctor before starting this medicine.
Having vivid, strange, or unusual dreams is a recognized side effect of this medicine. If these dreams disrupt your sleep or cause significant anxiety, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to discuss your options.
Yes, some people experience dizziness, sleepiness, or difficulty concentrating while taking this medicine. Do not drive or operate dangerous machinery until you are certain the medicine does not affect your ability to do so safely. Talk to your doctor if these symptoms persist.
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