Chantix (varenicline) Tablets

CHANTIX™ (varenicline) is a prescription medicine specifically developed to help adults quit smoking. CHANTIX gives smokers a better chance of success than Zyban^®.

No other treatment has been proven to be more effective than CHANTIX. It has been proven to be more effective in helping smokers quit than Zyban^®, the only other non-nicotine prescription medicine for smoking cessation. In two independent studies, more smokers quit with CHANTIX at the end of 12 weeks.

How is CHANTIX different? CHANTIX is different because it contains no nicotine but works on the same receptors as nicotine. It's the addictions to nicotine inhaled from smoking that makes quitting so difficult.

How does CHANTIX work? There are nicotine receptors in the brain. Nicotine attaches to these receptors when smoke is inhaled sending a message to another part of the brain to release a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine gives a short lived feeling of pleasure which the body wants to repeat, thus creating an addiction to nicotine. CHANTIX does not contain nicotine, but based on research, it is believed that CHANTIX works by activating these receptors and blocking nicotine from attaching to them. 

In studies, the most common side effects for people who took CHANTIX were nausea, changes in dreaming, constipation, gas and/or vomiting.

In studies, nausea was the most common side effect in about 30% of patients. Generally it was mild to moderate and for most people, but not all, it went away. Most people were not bothered enough to stop taking CHANTIX.

If you have side effects with CHANTIX that bother you or don't go away, be sure to tell your doctor.

Taking CHANTIX and other smoking cessation medicines at the same time has not been studied and is therefore not recommended.

It's possible that you might slip up and smoke while taking CHANTIX. If you do, you can stay on CHANTIX and keep trying to quit.

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.

CHANTIX is for adults. Do not use CHANTIX if you are younger than 18 years old. Because it is more common for older people to have kidney problems, be sure to talk with your doctor about how your kidneys are working before you take CHANTIX.

If you have kidney problems or get dialysis, be sure to tell your doctor before taking CHANTIX. Your dose may be lowered.

CHANTIX has not been studied in pregnant or nursing women. You should stop smoking before you become pregnant. If you take CHANTIX, discuss ways to feed your baby, other than breast feeding, with your doctor.

When you stop smoking, your body will need time to adjust to the absence of nicotine. You may feel side effects from this.

The product information provided in this site is intended only for residents of the United States. The products discussed herein may have different product labeling in different countries.

This product information is intended only for residents of the United States.

The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.

Copyright © 2006 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved.