Smoking Cessation

Chantix varenicline by Pfizer is a popular quit smoking drug that can make the smoking cessation process a lot easier. Read the article below to learn more about Chantix, how it works, how long does it take to quit smoking using Chantix and what are its dosages.

Quit smoking has been made a lot easier with Chantix

Chantix varenicline is one of the most prescribed nicotine-free quit smoking drugs. Developed by Pfizer pharmaceuticals, Chantix has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006 as a prescription only smoking cessation drug. In numerous clinical trials, Chantix has proven itself to be one of the most effective smoking cessation drugs available on the market today. In a short span of time, Chantix has become immensely popular as a stop smoking pill. Millions of people have benefitted from Chantix and have given up smoking completely.

Varenicline – the active ingredient in Chantix works on a twin mechanism – first, it relieves you of the nicotine withdrawal symptoms and secondly, it makes smoking less pleasurable for you. Varenicline mimics the effect of nicotine on your brain; it attaches itself to nicotine receptors in your brain. This dupes your brain into thinking that it has received its dosage of nicotine. Your body then no longer craves nicotine; as a result, you are relieved of the nicotine withdrawal symptoms. In addition, varenicline does not allow nicotine to attach itself to the receptors in the brain. So even if you smoke during the course of your Chantix treatment, you’ll not derive the same pleasure from smoking. People on Chantix treatment are therefore not tempted to smoke again. This increases your chances of quitting forever.

How long does it take to quit smoking using Chantix varenicline?

Chantix treatment is typically recommended for a period of 12-weeks. However, doctors usually initiate the treatment 1-week prior to your quit date. During this 1-week period, you are given a low-dose of Chantix varenicline and you are allowed to smoke. This helps your body in adjusting to the medication. However, if you are not able to quit successfully even after the 12-week period or if the doctor sees signs that you may go back to smoking; your doctor will then recommend you another 12-weeks of Chantix treatment. To get best results from Chantix, your doctor may suggest that you take professional counseling in conjunction with your Chantix treatment; this will help keep you motivated through your smoking cessation program.

What are the dosages of Chantix varenicline?

As Chantix varenicline is a prescription only drug, you must always take this quit smoking pill in prescribed dosages after consulting your doctor. To begin your Chantix treatment, your doctor will first ask you to determine your quit date. You’ll be asked to begin your Chantix treatment a week before your actual quit date. In this 1-week period, doctors recommend the 0.5mg lower dosage strength of Chantix. For the first 3 days of this week, you’ll need to take 0.5mg Chantix pill once in a day. Then in the following 4 days of the week, you’ll be required to take Chantix pill twice a day – once in the morning and then again in the evening.

Following this week, your 12-week Chantix treatment begins. During this period you’ll need to take, the higher strength, 1mg Chantix tablet, twice a day. To get best results, you should take the tablets at the same time of the day preferably with a full glass of water. It is suggested that you take the pill after meals to avoid nausea – a common side effect of Chantix varenicline.