tobacco factsheet
A new medicine to aid smoking cessation was recently released by the Medicines Control Agency. It is varenicline and is manufactured by Pfizer under the trade name Champix.
what is varenicline?
It is a nicotine-free tablet which is taken by mouth for two months and acts by breaking the addiction cycle in the brain, eliminating nicotine craving and withdrawal symptoms.
what is the success rate?
Varenicline has been showed to be twice as successful as nicotine patches in patients reviewed twelve months after taking the treatment.
is it safe to take?
Yes, varenicline has been thoroughly tested and is safe, provided it is not given when there is a history of kidney function impairment. Nor should it be taken during pregnancy.
what are the side effects?
Of course, any effective medicine may have side effects and this applies equally to varenicline; minor unwanted effects may be experienced. However, these side effects are not serious or long lasting.
how do i take varenicline?
You start with a small does (0.5mg daily) and slowly increase the does to 1mg twice a day. The medication should be taken for twelve weeks in all.
what should i do now?
If you smoke and really have made up your mind to stop smoking, book a consultation so that you can be examined. The treatment will at the time, be explained and a prescription written for the three months' therapy.
The rest is then up to you . . .
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