Champix offers a gentler approach to smoking cessation, containing varenicline designed to ease nicotine withdrawal symptoms and reduce the pleasure derived from smoking. Ideal for individuals seeking a less intense dosage, it works by targeting brain receptors to lessen cravings and withdrawal effects. Starting before your quit date, it supports a gradual reduction in smoking. Consult our online doctors to explore if Champix is your step towards a smoke-free life.

Champix Low Dose

£69.02

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Product Information

About Champix Low Dose

Champix tablets (from Pfizer) contain varenicline, which is used to help stop smoking. Champix reduces cravings and other nicotine withdrawal symptoms. It also makes smoking less pleasurable.

Champix (varenicline) works by sticking to the nicotinic receptors in the brain, blocking nicotine itself from being able to attach, and preventing the nicotine ‘buzz’. Champix is a ‘partial agonist’ which means that it does give a small partial ‘buzz’ effect which is enough to reduce nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms, but without the full enjoyment of smoking.

A person taking Champix will find it easier to stop smoking and will be less tempted by nicotine.

Effects of nicotine withdrawal

Nicotine triggers the release of pleasure chemicals, including dopamine in the brain. People find that smoking reduces stress and anxiety, increases concentration, improves performance, and helps with mood. However many of these ‘positive’ effects are in reality caused by the reduction of nicotine withdrawal symptoms, rather than as direct benefits from the nicotine and dopamine release. The strength of the withdrawal symptoms leads to a very strong addictive effect.

Symptom of withdrawal	Occurrence	Duration
Cravings for nicotine	70%	> 2 weeks
Appetite increase	70%	> 10 weeks
Restlessness	60%	< 4 weeks
Poor concentration	60%	< 2 weeks
Depression	60%	< 4 weeks
Irritability, anger, aggression	50%	< 4 weeks
Poor sleep	25%	< 1 week
Light headed	10%	< 48 hours

Data from NICE, 2021, What withdrawal symptoms is a person likely to experience when they stop smoking?

The habit of smoking in certain situations contributes significantly to nicotine addiction. A strategy for tackling the cravings linked to these strong ‘smoking-related cues’ will usually make a big difference to the quit process.

How to take Champix

A ‘quit date’ should be chosen before starting Champix. Champix tablets are then started 1-2 weeks before the ‘quit date’. There is a starter pack that allows the dose of Champix to be built up slowly over 7 days to reach a dose of one 1mg tablet twice a day. Stop all smoking on the ‘quit’ day and then continue taking Champix at a dose of 1mg twice daily for a further 10-11 weeks. After a total of 12 weeks, treatment is stopped, by which time smokers should have given up permanently.

If the usual dose of 1mg twice daily is too strong, and not tolerated, a lower dose of 0.5mg twice daily may be taken.

If a person restarts smoking whilst they are taking Champix, the course of treatment has failed, and they should stop taking Champix. It is not harmful to continue with Champix, but the attempt to quit has failed.

Some people, who do not manage to give up and start smoking again, can try Champix again and can take it for a longer period (up to 24 weeks).

If it is difficult to totally stop smoking, even whilst taking Champix, a regime of gradual reduction to zero over the full 12 weeks followed by a further 12 weeks of Champix with no smoking at all, can be used. However, Champix usually works better if you quit completely within the first 2 weeks.

If extra Champix tablets are taken in error, seek medical advice.

If a dose or doses are missed, do NOT make up the missed dose by taking extra, but resume at the normal daily dose.

Champix can be taken with or without food. Tablets should be swallowed whole with water.

Cautions

Whether you are taking Champix or not, stopping smoking has been associated in some people with depression, suicidal ideation, behavior changes, and suicide attempts. If you, or a family member, or a friend become concerned about agitation, depressed mood, behavior changes, or suicidal thoughts or actions, stop taking Champix immediately and consult a doctor. For further details see the Champix patient information leaflet.

Stopping Champix

Some return of nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as depression, increased irritability, sleep disturbance, and an urge to smoke occasionally may occur if you stop Champix suddenly. If you are troubled by this, symptoms can be helped by a gradual reduction in the dose of Champix before stopping completely.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Champix should not normally be taken whilst pregnant or breastfeeding. Nicotine replacement treatment may be preferable to help you stop smoking during pregnancy.

It is particularly important not to smoke during pregnancy as smoking reduces the oxygen and nutrient supply and prevents the healthy development of the baby. In many areas of the UK there are specialist NHS services to assist pregnant women to stop smoking – speak to your midwife for advice.

Best use of medicines in pregnancy – Varenicline
NHS – Stop smoking during pregnancy
RCOG – Smoking and pregnancy patient information leaflet

Driving and using machines

Champix may cause dizziness and sleepiness. If affected in this way, do not drive, cycle, or operate complex machinery.

Suitability of Champix

Dr Fox’s online smoking cessation consultation includes checks for Champix suitability.

Some people, usually only those with pre-existing heart problems, may very rarely, experience more serious heart or stroke symptoms. Stop Champix and seek emergency medical help in the event of symptoms that may be caused by angina, heart attack, or stroke symptoms.

Champix is not usually suitable for people who have a history of seizures or epilepsy.

A lower dose may be needed in severe renal disease, and Champix should not usually be used in renal failure.

Champix is for use by adults only, not under 18s.

Other medicines and Champix

There are no significant interactions between Champix and other prescription and non-prescription medications. However, stopping smoking, with or without Champix, may alter the effects of theophylline, warfarin, and insulin, and the doses may need adjusting. Discuss with your regular doctor.

For further information see the patient information leaflet supplied with Champix. People taking antidepressants should consult their usual doctors before taking Champix.

Do not take other stop-smoking medicines, especially nicotine replacement in the form of gums, tablets, sprays, and patches, at the same time as Champix. Research has not shown any added benefit and in fact, as nicotine and Champix both work through the nicotinic receptors in the brain, they may actually block each other’s actions.

Alcohol

There are some reports of increased susceptibility to alcohol whilst taking Champix.

Side effects of Champix

Most people can take Champix without significant side effects. It can be difficult to assess whether a new symptom is part of smoking withdrawal or caused by the Champix.

The most common effects mentioned include: