Champix is an oral medicine to help adults stop smoking. It helps to reduce craving as well as withdrawal symptoms, something that is quite common when you give up smoking. This medication does not contain nicotine and is therefore not addictive.

What is Champix?

Champix is a prescription quit smoking aid, manufactured by Pfizer pharmaceuticals. It helps smokers quit by easing out the painful nicotine withdrawal symptoms and reducing the pleasure a smoker derives from smoking. This smoking cessation aid is nicotine free and so not addictive.

Approved by the FDA in May 2006, Champix has successfully helped thousands of smokers quit smoking over the years. Numerous clinical trials have shown that Champix varenicline is a safe and effective drug when used with proper precautions.

Varenicline – the active ingredient in Champix – works best for people who are determined to quit smoking; best results can be achieved when this medication is combined with counselling and family support.

Clinical Trials of Champix

In clinical trials, it was revealed that 44% of the group treated with Champix stopped smoking after receiving a 12 week treatment, as opposed to 11% of smokers taking the placebo. Over the same duration, it was also shown to be twice as effective as Zyban (bupropion), the other main anti-smoking drug treatment. It has been proven that people who took this smoking cessation drug were almost four times more likely to quit smoking at the end of 12 weeks than if they tried to quit smoking through sheer willpower alone. Moreover, when quitting with Champix, you are three times more likely to remain quit even one year after the treatment.

Champix has not been studied in patients with severe mental illnesses. With regard to increased fears of suicides and psychiatric problems like suicide ideation and depression, people who take Champix must get themselves carefully examined by a doctor before they start taking this medication.

How does Champix work?

Champix is an effective smoking cessation pill; it is a non-nicotine drug and as a result this drug is not addictive. Champix works by blocking the effects of nicotine on the nicotine receptors in the brain. When the smoke is inhaled, nicotine attaches itself to these receptors. As a result the brain receives a message to release a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical that is responsible for the pleasure sensations that you gets from smoking. Therefore, your body wants to repeat this feeling which constantly reinforces the need to keep smoking. Based on research, it is believed that Champix works by activating these receptors and blocks nicotine from attaching to them.

Champix side effects and precautions

Champix side effects are generally mild and temporary. Some of the common side effects include: headache, abnormal dreams, dizziness, dry mouth, insomnia, change in taste, gut disturbances, airway infections, changes in appetite, increased blood pressure, increased urination, palpitations, tremors, restlessness, skin reactions, chest pain, changes in sex drive and mood swings among others. On an average about 3% of people stop the treatment because of adverse side effects.

All prescription drugs come with certain precautions and Champix is no exception. Do not take Champix if you:

• Have kidney problems or are undergoing kidney dialysis

• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant

• Are breast-feeding

• Have allergies to any other medicine, foods, preservatives or dyes

• Are allergic to any of the Champix ingredients

• Have a history of mental illness

• Take medications like insulin, asthma medicines or blood thinners