Varenicline is a pill that makes quitting smoking easier. It helps stop cravings, so you can give up for good.
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Varenicline is a pill you take everyday to help you quit smoking. It has the same active ingredient as Champix, so they work in pretty much the same way.
Most people who approach a clinician for treatment to stop smoking aren’t ready to quit right away, but that’s okay. Varenicline helps you stop smoking slowly, without cravings halting your progress. You can also pick the way you want to approach it, so there’s a bit of flexibility.
How does Varenicline work?
Varenicline helps you stop smoking by making smoking less enjoyable and reducing cravings. It does this by working on the receptors in your brain that transmit dopamine- the “feel-good hormone”.
Varenicline binds to these receptors, preventing nicotine from doing so as strongly. That means smoking won’t provide the same dopamine hit, and you won’t get as many cravings. That means Varenicline makes it a lot easier to give up smoking.
What doses of Varenicline are there?
It comes in two doses: 0.5mg and 1mg. If you go for the 0.5mg option, you’ll take one pill for the first three days. For the rest of your treatment, you’ll take it twice a day. If 1mg is right for you, you’ll still start off taking a 0.5mg pill for the first three days. Then on day 4-7, you’ll take a 0.5mg pill twice a day. For the rest of your treatment, you’ll take 1mg twice a day.
The 1mg dosing regimen for Varenicline is a little more effective, and it’s most used. But if you have certain medical conditions, you might need to go for the lower dosing schedule. Once you’ve quit smoking, your clinician might suggest you ‘taper off’ your dose to reduce any chance of withdrawal. That means you slowly take smaller and smaller amounts each day, until you’re completely finished with treatment.
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How to take Varenicline
Make sure you take Varenicline exactly as your clinician tells you. There are a few variations in how to take it, so make sure you follow their detailed instructions.
It’s best to take Varenicline after a meal. So if you’re taking it twice a day, maybe take it after breakfast and your evening meal. Take your pill with a full glass of water. Varenicline can sometimes cause nausea, so food and plenty of water can help avoid this.
What are the three dosing regimens for Varenicline?
There are a few different approaches to taking Varenicline you can try.
With the fixed quit approach, you pick a date when you want to quit smoking. Then you start taking Varenicline one or two weeks before this date.
There’s also the flexible quit approach. If you’re doing it this way, you start taking Varenicline. Then anywhere between days 8 and 35 of treatment (or weeks two and five), you stop smoking.
Finally, you have the gradual quit approach. With this approach, you aim to stop smoking by the end of week 12 of treatment. After four weeks, you should reduce how much you smoke by 50%, and 75% by eight weeks.
What happens if I make a mistake while taking Varenicline?
If you’ve forgotten to take a pill, just take it right away when you remember. If it’s nearly time to take your next pill, just skip the missed one and carry on as normal.
What if you take too much Varenicline? You might feel nauseous or even vomit. It’s always a good idea to contact a clinician if you take too much Varenicline.
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Varenicline: FAQ
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Why should I buy Varenicline online with Treated?
Answer:
Quitting smoking is difficult, so we’re here to make it as easy as possible. Just answer a few questions and our clinician will check over your answers. We’ll offer you a treatment, then you can pick the one you want and have it delivered right to you.
If you’re struggling, or you think you need to switch up your treatment plan, you can send us a message from your account. Our clinicians will get right back to you. You can also change, pause or cancel your subscription at any time. We’ll also check in with you to see how you’re getting on.
How long do I need to take Varenicline?
Answer:
You should follow the quit plan you’ve agreed on with your clinician. That usually means twelve weeks of taking Varenicline. Sometimes, you’ll keep using a lower dose for twelve weeks after you stop.
This can help make it easier to stick to quitting. It’s safe to take Varenicline for longer than twelve weeks, but if it’s still not working for you after a few courses, you should talk to your clinician about other options.
How can I make Varenicline work even better?
Answer:
Varenicline is highly effective, but the most important thing when it comes to quitting is willpower. You have to want to quit, and be open to treatment. Remember that most cravings only last about thirty seconds, and they always pass.
It’s good to be aware of situations that might make you want to smoke so you can prepare and take steps to avoid it as much as possible. Switching up your routine can also be really helpful. Most importantly, remind yourself of the reasons you want to quit and the benefits for your health and future.
How effective is Varenicline?
Answer:
Varenicline works very well for helping you quit smoking. It’s considered the most effective method for quitting smoking, over Zyban, nicotine replacement therapy and going ‘cold turkey’.
In one study, 44% of people taking Varenicline had quit smoking by the last four weeks of treatment. That’s compared to 30% for Bupropion (Zyban) and only 18% for a placebo.
In another study that compared the efficacy of Varenicline, to a nicotine patch, 56% of people taking Varenicline had quit smoking by the last four weeks of treatment, versus 43.2% of people using a patch. So it really works.
Is Varenicline similar to any other products?
Answer:
There’s a branded form of Varenicline called Champix. It’s not available right now, and it’s not clear when or if it will be back. Because Varenicline is a generic version of Champix, they work in basically the same way.
The main differences between Varenicline and Champix are the names, the companies that make them and the prices.Varenicline is a bit cheaper than Champix, so it’s a good option if you’re not bothered about brand names.
There’s another pill that can help you quit smoking, called Zyban. It has a different active ingredient to Varenicline, and studies suggest it doesn’t work as well at helping you stop smoking. But if Varenicline isn’t right for you, Zyban might be the one.
How is Varenicline different from other treatments to quit smoking?
Answer:
Lots of approaches to quitting involve replacing the nicotine with another form that doesn’t involve smoking. Lozenges, e-cigarettes and nicotine patches are all examples of this.
Although some people find this really helpful, it doesn’t solve nicotine addiction. You’ll still be dependent on nicotine, just in a different way. Varenicline can stop your nicotine dependence altogether.
Benli, A., Erturhan, S., Oruc, M., Kalpakci, P., Sunay, D. and Demirel, Y., 2017.
A comparison of the efficacy of varenicline and bupropion and an evaluation of the effect of the medications in the context of the smoking cessation programme. Tobacco Induced Diseases, 15(1).
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
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