CHAMPIX - Medsafe

1 CHAMPIX . (tshamp-iks). Varenicline tartrate Consumer Medicine Information What is in this leaflet Although it is not recommended that Deciding to stop you smoke after your quit date, smoking This leaflet answers some common CHAMPIX will reduce your enjoyment questions about CHAMPIX . It does not of cigarettes if you do smoke while CHAMPIX helps you give up smoking. contain all the available information. on treatment. Other things you need include: It does not take the place of talking to willpower your doctor or pharmacist. How CHAMPIX works a quit plan All medicines have risks and CHAMPIX contains the active benefits.

2 Your doctor has weighed ingredient varenicline and works by support from your family and the risks of you taking CHAMPIX blocking the effects of nicotine in friends against the benefits it is expected to your body. There are receptors for counselling, advice or additional have for you. nicotine in the brain. When cigarette support smoke is inhaled, nicotine attaches to If you have any concerns about changes in your behaviour, so these receptors. This sends a message taking this medicine, ask your you avoid situations where you to a different part of the brain to doctor or pharmacist.

3 Are likely to smoke. release a chemical called dopamine. Keep this leaflet with the medicine. Dopamine gives a feeling of pleasure Most people are unable to quit You may need to read it again. which only lasts for a short time. The smoking without support. Your body wants to repeat this feeling doctor and pharmacist can give you reinforcing the need to keep advice, support and sources of smoking. It is believed that CHAMPIX information to help you stop smoking. You can also get free What CHAMPIX is works by activating these receptors advice and support from: used for and blocking nicotine from attaching to them.

4 CHAMPIX does not contain Quitline by calling 0800 778 778. CHAMPIX is a medicine to help adults nicotine and it is not addictive. or online at stop smoking. It can help to reduce Ask your doctor if you have any craving and withdrawal symptoms questions about why this medicine that may happen while you stop has been prescribed for you. smoking. Your doctor may have prescribed it People giving up smoking are often for another reason. Before you take affected by nicotine withdrawal. CHAMPIX is only available with a CHAMPIX . Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal doctor's prescription.

5 Can include craving for tobacco, When you must not take it irritability, frustration, feeling angry, Use in children sleep problems, depressed mood, Do not take CHAMPIX if you have feeling anxious, difficulty There is not enough information to an allergy to: concentrating, restlessness, decreased recommend the use of this medicine any medicine containing heart rate, increased appetite or in children under the age of 18 years. varenicline tartrate weight gain. Not everybody is any of the ingredients listed at the affected by symptoms of nicotine end of this leaflet. withdrawal.

6 CHAMPIX 1. Some of the symptoms of an allergic Tell your doctor if you have or Taking CHAMPIX in combination reaction may include: have had any of the following with other smoking cessation shortness of breath, wheezing or medical conditions: therapies is not recommended. difficulty breathing mental health conditions such The safety and benefits of taking swelling of the face, lips, tongue as depression, thoughts of CHAMPIX in combination with other or other parts of the body suicide or self-harm medicines to stop smoking have not kidney problems been studied. rash, itching or hives on the skin.

7 Repeated fits or convulsions Tell your doctor or pharmacist if Do not take CHAMPIX after the (epilepsy) you are taking any of the expiry date printed on the pack or following: if the packaging is torn or shows Some people have reported signs of tampering. convulsions or fits while taking insulin If it has expired or is damaged, return CHAMPIX . theophylline, a medicine used to it to your pharmacist for disposal. heart and blood vessel treat asthma Talk to your doctor if you are not problems such as heart attack, warfarin, a medicine used to thin sure whether you should take this chest pain or stroke.

8 The blood. medicine. Tell your doctor if you are The effects of changes in your body pregnant, become pregnant or are resulting from stopping smoking, Before you start to take it breast-feeding. with or without CHAMPIX , may alter it is not recommended that you the way these medicines work. In Tell your doctor if have or have take CHAMPIX while you are some cases, an adjustment of dose had feelings of low mood, anxiety, pregnant or breast-feeding. may be necessary. disturbances in thinking, emotional reactions or behaviour that has if you plan to become pregnant, Your doctor and pharmacist have interfered or interferes with your your treatment should be timed so more information on medicines to be everyday life.

9 That you have completed the careful with or avoid while taking course before becoming pregnant. this medicine. For some people, stopping smoking, with or without treatment, has been If you have not told your doctor associated with changes in about any of the above, tell behaviour, thinking or mood that are him/her before you start taking not typical for them developing CHAMPIX . How to take CHAMPIX . suicidal thoughts or actions, anxiety, Tell your doctor if you have Follow all directions given to you panic, aggression, anger, mania, allergies to any other medicines, by your doctor or pharmacist abnormal sensations, hallucinations, foods, preservatives or dyes.

10 Carefully. paranoia or confusion. They may differ from the Some people had these symptoms Taking other medicines information in this leaflet. when they began taking CHAMPIX , Tell your doctor or pharmacist if If you do not understand the and others developed them after several weeks of treatment or after you are taking any other instructions on the pack, ask your medicines, including: doctor or pharmacist for help. stopping CHAMPIX . all prescription medicines Your family and friends should be all medicines, vitamins, herbal How to start asked to monitor any changes in your behaviour, thinking or mood that are supplements or natural therapies There are 3 ways to quit smoking not typical for you if you you buy without a prescription with CHAMPIX : develop suicidal thoughts or actions, from a pharmacy, supermarket, 1.