Get Informed: Chantix
Active Ingredient(s)
Varenicline
What does it do?
This product is used to aid in smoking cessation. It works by blocking the nicotine receptors so that nicotine cannot activate the brain to produce dopamine.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:02 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-18 6:14 PM
Other Names
- Chantix
- Varenicline
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
Black Box Warning
FORTHCOMING: The product will have a Black Boxed Warning relating to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and changes in mood and behavior.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 10 May 2006
- Est US Patients*
- 1,732,000
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Chantix or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Chantix Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Chantix interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Chantix used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 10,100 patients that use Chantix (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Smoking Addiction | 100% | 
|
How well does Chantix work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 10,100 users taking Chantix (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 81%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Chantix outweigh the bad things.
- 30%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Chantix.
Common Side Effects of Chantix
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 10,100 users taking Chantix (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
70% of patients experience side-effects on Chantix
15% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Chantix
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
Vivid Dreams
-
Insomnia
-
Drowsiness
-
Abdominal Pain
-
Restlessness
-
Dizziness
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Bloating/Gas
-
Chest Pain/Tightness
-
Bone/Joint Pain
-
Altered Taste/Smell
-
Constipation
-
Palpitations
-
= 10%
Global Patient Feedback for Chantix (Varenicline) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
Hi, I am 45 year old male. I am convinced that Chantix is not the replacement for "quitting on your own" but the best you have in market with some dangerouse and long term side effects. I took Chantix starter pack knowing that it better of the two evils (side effect vs. smoking). I have been smoke free for last 2 and 1/2 months. I still get fleeting urge or thought of smoking, specially during rare 'trigger' or high stress situations. Two things I have seen with Chantix that happened to me, is this feeling of extreme disconnection or apathy and direct influence on my blood sugar. After 2 1/2 month the psychological issue is little better but I am still struggling to concentrate (or be passionate about work, feelings, prayers etc), hope this will get better but I know for sure the elevated blood sugar is permanent. I had to bump my medication to manage my blood sugar. In fact I was pre-diabetic for a long time, in my previous attempt to quit via wellbutrin made me diabetic and after 3 years I took Chantix for a month, and observed next level of bump in blood sugar for the second time. I am not overweight or have any issues with my diet. In other words be careful if you have family history of diabetes or pre-diabetic. I think these smoking cessation medications should have this as a warning on the box.
45 year old Male
Posted: 2009-09-18 08:55:59
Question/Comment:
Will this help me lose weight?
26 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-12 14:25:12
Answer/Reply:
No it will not. I gained 30 pounds while taking this. I have 3 other friends that has gained weight too. We were all little people until we took it. We gained weight in breast, hips, thighs & butt. We have not been able to lose it.
47 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-19 00:00:28
Question/Comment:
I'm 33 & smoked for 24 years....I smoked Camel Studs (non-filtered). I also LOST 40 lbs on Chantix....20 lbs. in the past 30 days!
I experienced SEVERE side effects with Chantix (but I'm on quite a few dangerous meds and am hyper-sensitive)...Nausea, DEATH, Depression & Anorexia...the dreams too but vivid dreams aren't a big deal in my opinion.
1st Nausea
I was fine on 0.5 mgs but when I went to 1mg BID (twice a day) I got sick...sick...sick. However, I had Promethazine (aka. Phenergan) for nausea from opiates. This helped immensely! After a few days my body adjusted...or so I thought?
2nd DEATH! (a Deadly Drug Mix? or an Allergy?)
Was visiting my parents, took a shower one morning & couldn't breathe. I barely pulled my clothes on before staggering out, to my mom, turning blue & collapsing. She called 911...and started petting me like you do an animal when it's put to sleep. Apparently, oxygen is really important stuff....who'd of thunk it? After CPR, intubation (gack!), and an IV I awoke to 30 people staring at me...1st responders, police, EMTs, Sheriff, Fire Dept...where they added more heavy meds to an already serious load. Including 1 that always makes me severely depressed...even suicidal in the past.
3rd a 'Different' Type of Depression
Then came extreme apathy which I still have. It's not like depression I've experienced in the past my thinking is like.....
Smoke? don't smoke? ummm....Maybe later
Eat? don't eat? ummmm.....Maybe later (the reason I lost 20 lbs in 30 days)
4th Anorexia
Food just doesn't even sound good, so I don't realize how little I'm eating.
Anyhow I no longer smoke & due to my weight loss I'm taking less of my other meds too. Now, if only I could enjoy these victories but...... go out? don't go out? ummmm....Maybe later
33 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-26 04:00:54
Question/Comment:
I am a 55 year old male that has smoked for almost 45 years. I smoke those little cigars at a rate of 1-1 1/2 packs a day. My weight control Dr. said the carbon levels in my blood was 3X higher than normal. I am preparing to undergo surgery to take weight off by removing 85% of my stomach. I have to be smoke free for 30 days prior to it. My regular Dr gave me Chantix and I'm just starting the third week and have been smoke free for 7 days now. I still get the fleeting urges to light one up but I don't have any here and the urge goes away.
I already take meds for depression and stomach problems so I haven't had any side effects from the Chantix as of yet. This is a miracle drug for me.
56 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-25 10:48:23
Question/Comment:
I am a 53 yr old female, smoking since I as 15. I was on Chantix for 10 days, and had to stop using it. I was so sick for 5 days straight. I was sleeping 24 hrs a day practically. Not being able to even get up to fix a meal or do dishes. I thought I was going to have to go to emergency because I was so weak and knew I was dehydrated. I also have Fibromyalgia and it caused such a Myalgia flair that I couldn't even stand for air to touch my skin. Abdominal pain was really bad, along with diarrhea. no apatite,. I didn;t realize what was going on with me until the little folded up patient info pamphlet fell out of the box and I got to reading about this stuff. Did you know it can even cause blood clots in the legs and lungs??!! Wow! And I had even made sure to ask my DR about the side effects, and if it was compatable with my other meds. he of course said no problems. Well....my hubby took the things and threw them out. And I am so glad he did because I was just too sick to even know I was sick. From now on, I will do a lot of research before taking a new med!
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-18 01:12:40
Answer/Reply:
I am 59 years old female and I to took Chantix twice.Both times I also had terrible stomach pains and alot of the same symptoms you had. I did quite smoking as long as I took the pills but after stopping I started smoking again. Was like I never took them at all. I still have leg cramps and problems with my stomach. . My husband also tried taking them and ended up in the hospital with terrible stomach pains, that they couldn't explain. All they wanted to treat him for was to see if his heart was ok they did nothing to help his stomach. Even knowing he was taking them. He stopped taking them and went on a brat diet still he has problems with his stomach. That we did on or own to try and make him better. By the way he was not on any meds everyday like I was. He took nothing but the Chantix. For what we would have saved not smoking ended up costing 5 years worth of the price of smoking.
60 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-25 00:37:56
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Patient Comments about
Chantix