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What is Champix?
Champix® (Varenicline), or Chantix as it is known in the US, is the first of a new type of medication designed to aid people in giving up the habit of smoking. This treatment, know as a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, works by stimulating the same receptors of the brain that smoking nicotine does which helps reduce cravings. With a success rate of around 44%, |
this treatment is far more effective than its only competitor, Zyban. Since its release in January 2007, Champix has fast become one of the more popular options for patients looking to end their addiction to nicotine.
How Does It Work?
Champix works by stimulating the same receptors in the brain as nicotine. This makes it possible for Champix to remove all the cravings and withdrawal symptoms which would normally be experienced if you were to stop smoking. As well as this action, Champix also works to block the receptors from any nicotine inhaled, which means that the rewarding affects that nicotine would usually have on the body are no longer effective. |
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| How can I purchase Champix? |
| Obtaining treatment from us couldn’t be easier. Simply complete our online consultation, which will then be reviewed by one of our registered UK doctors who will be able to recommend treatments that would be beneficial to you after your diagnosis has been completed. You will then be able to login directly to your personalised member’s area from where you will be able to place your order. |
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 Does it really work?
Champix has gone through rigorous clinical trials, as all prescription treatments must prior to their approval and eventual release onto the market. These champix trials concluded that this treatment was successful in around 44% of those who took part, which is far higher than that of the alternative treatments of NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy) and Zyban. However, as with all prescription treatments there are no guarantees that this will work for everyone trying to give up smoking; but with a success rate of just under twice that of Zyban, champix is the most effective treatment currently available.
The results of one of these major clinical trials can be found below:
- 44% of those on Champix were not smoking at 12 weeks.
- 29.5%% of those on Zyban were not smoking at 12 weeks.
- 18% of those on a placebo (just an empty pill) were not smoking at 12 weeks.
- 22% of those on Champix did not smoke from week 9 to 52.
- 16% of those on Zyban did not smoke from week 9 to 52.
- 8.4% of those on a placebo (just an empty pill) did not smoke from week 9 to 52.
One patient that used Champix during its UK trials in 2005 had tried a range of aids, including patches and Zyban, in an effort to kick her 60-a-day habit - but without any lasting success. Her health became increasingly affected by smoking, which caused breathlessness and problems with her teeth and skin.
"You have to start using it a week before the quit date, but midway through the week I found I was stubbing out half-finished cigarettes, which I had never done before," she recalls.
"All of a sudden, I just wasn't enjoying smoking any more. For me, this drug champix really did work. It took away the dreadful withdrawal feeling and now I can enjoy breathing again."
What’s the difference between Champix and Zyban?
Zyban, or bupropion as it is also known, was originally developed and approved as an antidepressant and was only later discovered to have some degree of benefit with smoking cessation. The way in which this treatment works is not presently understood by the medical community, but it is known that Zyban affects the neurotransmitters (chemicals stored in nerve cells) noradrenaline and dopamine by increasing the amount of these in the brain which is believed to help reduce cravings.
The success rate of Zyban is approximately 29%, which in comparison to that of Champix which has a success rate 44%, is considerably less, rendering this treatment far less effective in helping people stop smoking. Further, the results of several comparative studies have found Champix to be far more effective even in fewer doses.
How much does Champix cost?
Due to legislation in the UK it is illegal for websites such as us to provide the price of champix prior to an online consultation. Once you have registered with us, by completing this consultation process with one of our doctors, you will be able to login to the secure area of our website and view the prices of champix treatments prescribed to you. This consultation is entirely free, without obligation and can be found when you click here.
How is this champix treatment taken?
Champix comes in tablet form and is taken for a period of 12 weeks. Your course of champix treatment will comprise of a starter pack which contains 11 x 0.5mg white tablets and 14 x 1mg light blue tablets. These different doses are used as described below:
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From day 1 to 3 – take one 0.5mg dose of Champix daily |
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From day 4 to 7, take one 0.5mg dose of Champix twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, at approximately the same time each day |
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From day 8 to 14, take one 1mg dose of Champix twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, at approximately the same time each day |
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From day 15 onwards until you have completed your course of treatment, you should take one 1mg dose of Champix twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, at approximately the same time each day |
If you experience unpleasant side effects once you have started taking the 1mg dosage of Champix, it is possible to revert back to the 0.5mg dosage, which will be taken twice daily for the remainder of the treatment. You will need to inform our customer service department who will take information from you regarding these champix side effects and seek the advice of our doctor.
 Should I take champix longer than 12 weeks?
It is possible to continue a course of Champix for more than 12 weeks for patients who do not yet feel as though they will be able to refrain from smoking at the end of their course. However, the vast majority of patients will find that they stop smoking even before their decided stop date and will not begin smoking again once they have finished with this treatment.
Who should not take Champix?
You should not use Champix if you are pregnant (or breast feeding), have a diseased kidney function or have any history of psychiatric illness such as depression and if you have suffered from Epilepsy. Champix is only for people over 18 years of age.
What are the side effects of Champix?
As with all prescription medications, there are several possible side effects attributed to Champix. The more common side effects, which you will more than likely not experience at all, include nausea, insomnia, abnormal dreams and headache. These champix side effects are usually mild with fewer than 3% of patients ceasing treatment as a result.
How can taking Champix affect other medications I may be on?
The components of tobacco smoke can cause certain medicines, for example those listed below, to be removed from the body faster than normal. When you stop smoking, they are removed slower, so their blood levels may increase. This means that doses of these medicines may need adjusting after you stop smoking:
- Clozapine
- Dextropropoxyphene
- Flecainide
- Fluvoxamine
- Olanzapine
- Pentazocine
- Phenylbutazone
- Some Benzodiazepines, eg Oxazepam
- Some Beta-Blockers, eg Propranolol
- Tacrine
- Theophylline
- Tricyclic Antidepressants, such as Imipramine
- Warfarin.
People with diabetes who smoke normally need more insulin, as smoking reduces the amount of insulin that is absorbed into the blood from an injection under the skin. If you have diabetes and are giving up smoking, you may subsequently need a reduction in your insulin dose. Discuss this with your doctor.
The safety and benefits of taking champix medicine in combination with other medicines for stopping smoking have not been studied. Other smoking cessation medicines are therefore not recommended while you are taking champix. Using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in combination with champix has been shown to increase nausea, headache, vomiting, dizziness, indigestion, fatigue and a drop in blood pressure compared to NRT alone.
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