Cytisinicline tablets

*Note: Our medical team must review your online consultation before approving this treatment. They will determine if the requested treatment and quantity are safe, appropriate, and effective for you.

Cytisinicline is a treatment used to help people quit smoking. It is also known as Cytisine or by the brand name Tabex.

It was approved for treatment in the UK by the MHRA in January 2024. But, it has been used in Europe for over 40 years for smoking cessation.

It works by altering brain activity, which helps control the urge to smoke, helping you to quit for good.

Cytisinicline is an alkaloid and works in a similar way to Varenicline (Champix).

• It works by mimicking nicotine’s effects in your brain.
• It binds to the same receptors in your brain that nicotine usually attaches to (the nicotinic receptors).
• This helps to reduce cravings for cigarettes.
• If you do smoke, Cytisinicline makes nicotine less pleasurable.

The gradual dosing also reduces withdrawal symptoms, making quitting smoking much simpler.

Cytisinicline has unique benefits when it comes to quitting smoking:

• Cytisinicline has a short half-life, which means the drug leaves your body quickly. This means it mimics the short-term satisfaction of smoking a cigarette, which helps reduce cravings.
• It’s quick - treatment lasts 25 days, instead of 7-12 weeks.
• It is effective - multiple studies show that it is a safe and effective treatment for smoking cessation.
• It’s cheap - it’s cheaper than other smoking cessation aids.
• It has fewer side effects - Studies show it has fewer side effects than other treatments like Champix.
• Reduces withdrawal symptoms - the gradual dosage schedule helps to prevent withdrawal side effects like irritability, helping you quit for good.

You can be assured knowing that Cytisinicline is a safe, clinically proven and effective prescription method for smoking cessation.

Clinical research has shown that Cytisinicline is an effective quit-smoking treatment.

One 2011 clinical trial found that participants taking Cytisinicline had higher quit rates after 12 months than a placebo. Patients on Cytisinicline had a 6% higher quit rate than those on the placebo.

Smoking abstinence rates post-treatment

A separate study found it had higher quit rates than Champix 6 months after completing the treatment.

Research also found that self-reported abstinence rates were higher at 6 months on Cytisine than on nicotine replacement therapy.

Cytisinicline is suitable for most adults aged 18-65 years old who are looking to quit smoking. It is generally a safe and well-tolerated medication.

Who cannot take it

Some people should not take Cytisinicline. This is because they are at greater risk of side effects.

Do not take it if you have:

• a condition that affects your heart rhythm (e.g. arrhythmias)
• recent myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• recent stroke
• unstable chest pain (angina)
• severe kidney or liver problems

You should also not take it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Cautions

Some people with certain conditions may be able to take it, but should ask their doctor. This is because they may need additional monitoring.

This includes those who have:

• cardiovascular disease
• diabetes
• gastric and duodenal ulcer
• gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
• a history of mental illness
• hyperthyroidism (high thyroid levels)
• peripheral vascular disease
• phaeochromocytoma (a rare tumour in the adrenal glands)
• schizophrenia

Our free consultation at HealthExpress will allow our doctors to ensure that Cytisinicline is suitable for you to take.

To use Cytisinicline correctly, follow the dosage and treatment course our medical team prescribes. This ensures the medication’s effectiveness and helps avoid side effects.

What dose do I take?

Each tablet contains 1.5 mg of Cytisinicline. Each pack contains 100 tablets, which will last for the whole course, which is 25 days.

You start off by taking 6 tablets a day for 3 days, and you gradually decrease the dose across the 25-day course.

When do I take it?

You should try to allow for equal times between each dose. For days 1-3, you could take a tablet at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm and 7 pm, for example.

You should stop smoking no later than day 5 of treatment.

How do I take it?

Take each tablet with a suitable amount of water. Do not break, chew or split tablets as this means the medicine won’t work properly.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, do not take a double dose. Skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

If you take more than you are supposed to, it can cause side effects. If you develop any serious side effects after taking too much Cytisinicline, contact your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible.

You should start noticing a reduction in cravings within the first few days of treatment. However, you will need to take the full course of treatment for it to be successful.

Quitting smoking is hard and a major lifestyle change. So, you must make other changes to help you quit for good.

Making lifestyle changes is essential for quitting smoking. Staying motivated, seeking support and being kind to yourself will help you on your quit-smoking journey,

Dr. Anup JethwaClinical Lead

• Throw away all your cigarettes - This will get rid of the temptation immediately.
• Get support - reach out to your friends, loved ones or join a support group to help you on your journey.
• Identify your triggers - find out what causes you to smoke so you can manage and avoid those triggers.
• Remind yourself of your reasons for quitting - quitting smoking is essential for your overall health and well-being. Reminding yourself of why you’re doing this will keep you motivated.
• Be kind to yourself - stopping smoking is difficult. If you have a setback or relapse, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, focus on how you can get back on track.
• Use stop-smoking aids - NRT or vapes can help you beat the habit in the short term.
• Keep busy - being active, seeing friends or trying a new hobby will help to distract you from cravings.

There are also plenty of apps and online resources to help you quit and track your progress.

Like all prescription medicines, Cytisinicline can cause side effects.

Common side effects

Very common and common side effects occur in 1-10 in every 100 people using this medicine.

These include:

• anxiety and mood changes
• increased appetite
• concentration difficulties
• diarrhoea or constipation
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• headaches
• high blood pressure
• feeling unwell and vomiting
• muscle pain
• skin reactions
• sleeping problems
• increased heart rate
• taste changes
• weight gain

Common side effects should be mild and go away on their own once your body gets used to the medicine.

You can also manage some side effects yourself. Over-the-counter painkillers can help with muscle pain or headaches.

Ask your pharmacist for advice on managing mild side effects.

Uncommon side effects

Uncommon side effects occur in 1-10 in every 1,000 people.

These include:

• difficulty breathing
• excessive tear production
• sweating
• lower sex drive
• increased sputum (mucus from the lungs)

Talk to your doctor about any side effects that concern you or don’t resolve.

For a full list of side effects please refer to the patient information leaflet here.

Cytisinicline may interact with other medicines you take. This includes:

• theophylline (for asthma)
• tacrine (for Alzheimer’s disease)
• clozapine (for schizophrenia)
• ropinirole (for Parkinson’s disease)

It may also interact with combined hormonal contraceptives. This includes the pill, the patch or the ring. You must use additional contraception while taking Cytisine such as condoms to prevent pregnancy.

Ask your doctors if you take one of these medicines or any others not listed before using Cytisine.

Store Cytisinicline in temperatures below 25°C. Keep it out of sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine past the expiry date. This is stated on the outside of the packet and refers to the last day of that month.

Take expired or unused medicine to your nearest pharmacy to be disposed of. Do not throw it in the general waste or flush it down the toilet. This harms the environment.

No, Cytisinicline is a prescription-only medication. You need a valid prescription from a healthcare professional to purchase it. This ensures the medication is safe and suitable for your needs.

You can receive an online prescription from HealthExpress.

HealthExpress is trusted by thousands of UK users for its safe and convenient service. Here’s why:

• Experienced doctors manage your consultations and prescriptions.
• Online consultations, quick approvals, and discreet doorstep delivery add to the convenience.
• A supportive team is on hand to answer treatment-related questions or concerns.
• Patients can manage their prescriptions hassle-free through our secure platform.

Join thousands who trust HealthExpress for their healthcare needs and take control of your health today.

The price of Cytisinicline at HealthExpress is £149.99, which includes everything you need:

• Free online consultation with our experienced doctors
• Free prescription, if approved
• Free delivery straight to your door

Our pricing is transparent, with no hidden fees. Order today and benefit from our complete, all-inclusive service.

There are two main alternatives to Cytisinicline: Varenicline and Zyban. While they are all effective stop-smoking treatments, they have some differences.

*If treatment is taken correctly and you stop smoking as advised.