Champix general information

What is Champix used for?

Champix tablets are used as an aid to help smokers over the age of 18 quit smoking and withdraw from nicotine dependence. Champix tablets help relieve the craving for nicotine and as well as reducing the withdrawal symptoms that smokers can experience when stopping smoking. These withdrawal symptoms may include; dysphoria, an unpleasant, uncomfortable or depressed mood; insomnia; irritability, frustration or anger; anxiety; difficulty concentrating, restlessness or impatience; decreased heart rate, and increased appetite or weight gain. Champix tablets also block the rewarding or enjoyable effects associated with smoking, if tobacco is inhaled during the Champix quit smoking period. The Champix maintenance pack is the second stage in a 12-week course designed help smokers who have started the quit smoking process using the Champix starter pack to continue the programme. Champix helps with the quit smoking process and helps break the nicotine dependence habit, which reduces th
e risk of serious health problems caused by the many harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke, including heart disease, stroke and cancer.

How does Champix work?

Champix tablets contain varenicline, which is a partial agonist of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α4β2 (nAChR). This is the same receptor in the brain that nicotine in cigarettes binds to. When nicotine binds to its receptor it causes the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that allow nerve cells to communicate and dopamine is the “feel good” neurotransmitter that regulates mood. When stimulated by nicotine, dopamine creates a feeling of relaxation and euphoria in the reward circuits of the brain, but this falls off when the cigarette is finished, leading to the craving for another cigarette, which eventually leads to addiction. Varenicline in Champix tablets binds to and partially activates the same nAChR receptor in the brain, which in turn stimulates the release of dopamine to a lesser extent than nicotine but in sufficient amounts to reduce nicotine craving and withdrawal. Varenicline in Champix table
ts also acts as an antagonist by blocking nicotine binding to its receptor and preventing any further release of dopamine by inhaled nicotine, blocking reinforcement of the reward and enjoyment effect caused by nicotine that is short-lived and leads to addiction. These actions of Varenicline in Champix help provide the motivation to quit smoking, by reducing withdrawal symptoms, reducing the satisfaction and pleasure previously obtained from cigarette smoking, and thereby removing the physical dependency on nicotine.

What does Champix contain?

Champix tablets contain the active ingredient varenicline (1mg) that is used to help smokers quit smoking. The Champix maintenance pack contains 28 blue 1mg tablets. They also contain cellulose – microcrystalline, calcium hydrogen phosphate anhydrous, croscarmellose sodium, silica-colloidal anhydrous, magnesium stearate, opadry blue, opadry white and opadry clear.

Quit smoking with Champix

Champix tablets contain varenicline that is used to help smokers quit smoking. The Champix maintenance pack is part of a 12-week course designed to wean smokers off cigarettes by working in two ways: reducing the withdrawal symptoms and craving for nicotine during the quitting process and reducing the reward and enjoyment of smoking, if nicotine is inhaled. Varenicline in Champix tablets binds to the same receptor in the brain that nicotine in cigarettes binds to. When nicotine binds to its receptor it stimulates release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that allow nerve cells to communicate and dopamine is the “feel good” neurotransmitter that regulates mood. When stimulated by nicotine, dopamine creates a feeling of relaxation and euphoria in the reward circuits of the brain, but this falls off when the cigarette is finished, leading to the craving for another cigarette, which eventually leads to addiction. Varenicline in Cha
mpix tablets binds to the same receptors in the brain as nicotine, which stimulates the release of dopamine to a lesser extent than nicotine but in sufficient amounts to reduce nicotine craving and withdrawal symptoms. Varenicline in Champix tablets also blocks nicotine binding to its receptor, preventing any further release of dopamine by inhaled nicotine and preventing reinforcement of the reward and enjoyment effect caused by nicotine that is short-lived and leads to addiction. Champix helps break the nicotine dependence habit to allow you to quit smoking, which reduces the risk of serious health problems caused by the many harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke, including heart disease, stroke and cancer.

What are the side effects of Champix?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Champix include: gastrointestinal upset (constipation, bloating, indigestion, wind, vomiting, stomach discomfort) dry mouth, headache, fatigue, dizziness, sleep problems, increased appetite, changes in taste.

When should Champix not be used?

You should not use Champix if you:

• are allergic to varenicline or any ingredients in Champix
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney disease
• have or have had a mental illness like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder without discussion with your doctor, as Champix may cause neuropsychiatric symptoms
• have epilepsy, without discussion with your doctor
• are taking medicines that interact with Champix, including: cimetidine for reflux if you have kidney disease, warfarin for heart failure

How should Champix be taken?

You should take your Champix maintenance pack tablets, swallowed whole with or without food at the same time each day. You should take your blue 1mg tablets, twice daily morning and evening and begin on day 15 of your quit smoking programme, once you have completed your first two weeks on your Champix starter pack.

You should continue to take your Champix starter pack tablets for the first two weeks of your 12 week quit smoking programme, followed by tablets in your maintenance pack for the remainder of the 12 weeks. If you have successfully quit smoking after 12 weeks, your doctor may recommend another 12 week maintenance pack to help prevent you from smoking again and increase your chances of quitting long-term. If you do not succeed in quitting smoking or you have a relapse, you will be encouraged to make another attempt, once you have identified the reasons for your relapse. Your doctor may recommend that you begin again with the starter pack.

Missed dose of Champix

If you miss a dose of Champix take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. If it is less than 6 hours before your next dose skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the intended time. Do not take a double dose.

How should Champix be stored?

You should store your Champix below 30°C in a cool dry place.