How does CHANTIX work? First, you have to know how nicotine works.
There are receptors for nicotine in the brain. When smoke is inhaled, nicotine attaches to these receptors. This sends a message to a different part of the brain to release a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine gives a feeling of pleasure. But it only lasts for a short time. The body wants to repeat this feeling. Based on research, it is believed that CHANTIX™ (varenicline) works by activating these receptors and blocking nicotine from attaching to them. However, CHANTIX does not contain nicotine.
CHANTIX™ (varenicline) comes in convenient weekly dose packs. Remember to always take CHANTIX as prescribed by your doctor.
If you have side effects with CHANTIX that bother you or don't go away, be sure to tell your doctor.
If you have kidney problems or get dialysis, be sure to tell your doctor before taking CHANTIX. Your dose may be lowered.
Some important things to remember:
- CHANTIX should be taken after eating.
- Drink a full glass (8 ounces) of water with your dose.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's close to the time of your next dose, wait. Then just take your next regular dose.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking before taking CHANTIX. Especially tell your doctor if you take insulin, asthma medications, or blood thinners. When you stop smoking, there may be a change in how these and other medicines work for you.
How to get started
Choose a quit date when you will stop smoking.
Start taking CHANTIX 1 week (7 days) before your quit date. This lets CHANTIX build up in your body. You can keep smoking during this time. Make sure that you try and stop smoking on your quit date. If you slip, try again. Some people need a few weeks for CHANTIX to work best.
Most people will keep taking CHANTIX for up to 12 weeks. If you have completely quit smoking by 12 weeks, ask your doctor if another 12 weeks of CHANTIX may help you stay cigarette-free.
It's been shown that smokers trying to quit are generally more likely to succeed with the help of a support plan than with medicine alone.
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Chantix
Generic Name: varenicline (ver EN e kleen)
What is the most important information I should know about Chantix?
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
If you miss a dose, use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
There may be other drugs that can affect Chantix. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Stop using this medication and get emergency medical help if you think you have used too much medicine, or if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all. Chantix can cause persistent nausea for up to several months. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or is especially bothersome.
What is Chantix?
Chantix is a smoking cessation medicine. It is used together with behavior modification and counseling support to help you stop smoking.
Chantix may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking Chantix?
Before using Chantix, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Chantix passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medicine to anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take Chantix?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
To improve your chances for successful smoking cessation, set a date to quit smoking. Start taking Chantix one week before your planned quit date.
When you first start taking Chantix, you will take a low dose and then gradually increase your dose over the first several days of treatment. Follow your doctor's instructions. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water. Take the medicine after eating.
In most cases, Chantix treatment lasts for 12 weeks. Your doctor may recommend a second 12-week course of Chantix to improve the chance that you will quit smoking long-term.
It is important to take Chantix regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your kidney function may need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Store Chantix at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of Chantix?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. Be sure to take the medicine after eating.
What happens if I overdose with Chantix?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a Chantix overdose are unknown.
What should I avoid while taking Chantix?
There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while using Chantix unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
What are the possible side effects of Chantix?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Talk with your doctor if you have any of these side effects:
· nausea (may persist for several months);
· stomach pain, indigestion, vomiting, constipation, gas;
· weakness, tired feeling;
· increased appetite;
· unpleasant taste in your mouth;
· headache; or
· sleep problems (insomnia) or unusual dreams.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Chantix?
After you stop smoking, the doses of any medications you are using may need to be adjusted. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
· insulin;
· a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
· theophylline (Respbid, Theobid, Theoclear, Theo-Dur, Uniphyl).
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Chantix. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information on Chantix?
- Your pharmacist has more information about Chantix written for health professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Vareniclineis available with a prescription under the brand name Chantix. Other brand or generic forms may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
- Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
for more information on Chantix. Visit the manufacturer’s site.
(http://www.chantix.com/content/Chantix_Branded_Homepage.jsp?setShowOn=../content/Chantix_Branded_Homepage.jsp&setShowHighlightOn=../content/Chantix_Branded_Homepage.jsp)Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.04. Revision date: 8/24/06 10:30:04 AM.
http://www.drugs.com/chantix.html
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Chantix Quadruples Smoker's Chances Of Quitting Successfully
Chantix (varenicline) can be four times as effective in helping a smoker give up cigarettes successfully, according to a report in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), 5 July. According to the report, which cites three studies, Chantix is twice as effective as Zyban (bupropion).
The chances of having a relapse during the first six months after giving up are significantly reduced when a smoker is on Chantix, according to one study.
Chantix was approved by the FDA in May, 2006.
All the studies were funded by the makers of Chantix, Pfizer. A JAMA editorial is sceptical of all the hype surrounding this new smoking cessation drug. Robert Klesges, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, USA, says enthusiasm for a new smoking-cessation drug is always high when it first comes onto the market. Even though Chantix has better results than either a placebo or Zyban, this does not necessarily mean it is the holy grail for smoking addicts.
Chantix works in a different way from Zyban or nicotine-replacement therapies. Nicotine-replacement therapies give you a small dose of nicotine - the aim is to provide the smoker with his/her drug while he/she overcomes the enormous psychological problems that come with giving up. Zyban undermines the reuptake of addiction-linked brain chemicals by neurons - dopamanine and norepinephrine. Chantix makes the patient produce more dopamine, which is supposed to help lower the cravings - at the same time brain cell receptors that help perpetuate addiction are blocked.
One study included 1,025 volunteers, all of them smokers who wanted to quit. Chantix, Zyban and a placebo were compared. The study lasted one year. Here are some facts from that study:
-- 44% of those on Chantix were not smoking at 12 weeks
-- 29.5%% of those on Zyban were not smoking at 12 weeks
-- 18% of those on a placebo were not smoking at 12 weeks
-- 22% of those on Chantix 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 did not smoke from week 9 to 52
Another study, from the Unversity of Wisconsin included 1,027 volunteers, all of them smokers who wanted to quit. Results were almost the same as the ones above.
The third study involved people in seven countries - 1,900 smokers who wanted to quit. All of them took Chantix for the first 12 weeks, after which 1,236 (65%) were still not smoking. The 1,236 quitters were then divided into two groups: One group continued taking Chantix while the other took a placebo. This continued for another 12 weeks. At the end of the 24-week period:
-- 70.5% of those on Chantix were not smoking
-- 49.6% of those on a placebo were not smoking
After one year a significantly higher number of those who had been on Chantix were still not smoking compared to those on a placebo.
Chantix has some side effects, which were experienced by about one third of all the volunteers. They included nausea and strange dreams.
Scientists say that the Pfizer funded trials were carried out in ideal conditions for the participant - there was lots of support. Perhaps results may not be as encouraging when a patient gets a prescription from the doctor and is then left to his/own devices.
Even in this third study, which started with 1,900 volunteers, medication and plenty of support, only 871 were not smoking after 24 weeks - less than half.
"Varenicline, an a4 b2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Partial Agonist, vs Sustained-Release Bupropion and Placebo for Smoking Cessation"
A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: David Gonzales, PhD; Stephen I. Rennard, MD; Mitchell Nides, PhD; Cheryl Oncken, MD; Salomon Azoulay, MD; Clare B. Billing, MS; Eric J. Watsky, MD; Jason Gong, MD; Kathryn E. Williams, PhD; Karen R. Reeves, MD; for the Varenicline Phase 3 Study Group
JAMA. 2006;296:47-55.
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/296/1/47
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/healthnews.php?newsid=46587
