CHAMPIX - Medsafe Home Page

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. 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.

2 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. 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.

3 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. 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.

4 Varenicline tartrate weight gain. Not everybody is any of the ingredients listed at the affected by symptoms of nicotine end of this leaflet. withdrawal. 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. 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.

5 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. 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.

6 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. 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.

7 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. Choose a quit date when you anxiety, panic, aggression, anger, naturopath or health food shop. will stop smoking. mania, abnormal sensations, This includes other medicines to help hallucinations, paranoia or confusion. Make a note of this date. You you stop smoking such as: can write this date on the Discuss with your doctor the nicotine replacement therapy carton of the Initiation Pack as benefits and risks of taking (NRT), which includes patches, a reminder. CHAMPIX to decide if it is right for gum, lozenges, sublingual tablets you.

8 Start taking CHAMPIX 1 to 2. and inhalers (such as Nicorette, weeks (7 to 14 days) before Nicabate, QuitX). your quit date. bupropion ( Zyban). CHAMPIX 2. You can keep smoking during Weeks 13 - 24: Take one light Otherwise, take it as soon as you this time. blue 1 mg tablet in the morning remember, and then go back to Make sure that you try to stop and one in the evening. taking your medicine as you would smoking on your quit date. If normally. you slip-up and smoke, try How to take it Do not take a double dose to make again. Swallow the tablets whole with a up for the dose that you missed. 2. Start taking CHAMPIX . full glass of water. If you are not sure what to do, ask Choose a quit date when you your doctor or pharmacist. When to take it will stop smoking between days If you have trouble remembering 8 and 35 of starting CHAMPIX . Take your medicine at about the to take your medicine, ask your Make a note of this date.

9 You same time each day. pharmacist for some hints. can write this date on the This will have the best effect and carton of the Initiation Pack as help you remember when to take it. If you take too much a reminder. (overdose). It does not matter if you take Make sure that you try to stop CHAMPIX before or after food. Immediately telephone your doctor smoking on your quit date. If Some people find it helpful to take or contact the Poisons Information you slip-up and smoke, try CHAMPIX with food. Centre for advice (telephone 0800. again. POISON or 0800 764 766), or go to 3. Start taking CHAMPIX . How long to take it Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital if you think that Reduce the number of If options 1 or 2 are the selected you or anyone else may have taken cigarettes you smoke each day way to quit smoking, take too much CHAMPIX . Do this even if during the first 12 weeks of CHAMPIX for 12 weeks.

10 There are no signs of discomfort or taking CHAMPIX . poisoning. Your doctor may advise you to take Stop smoking on the last day of CHAMPIX for a further 12 weeks after You may need urgent medical the 12 week treatment period. your first treatment. This may attention. This is your quit date. increase your chances of stopping in Take your tablets with you to Continue taking CHAMPIX 1 mg the long term. hospital. tablets for a further 12 weeks. If option 3 is the selected way to quit smoking, take CHAMPIX for 12. How much to take weeks. Start with the white mg tablet You must then take CHAMPIX for While you are taking and then increase the dose up to an additional 12 weeks (24 weeks CHAMPIX . the light blue 1 mg tablet. in total). Starting with a low dose helps your If you do not stop smoking during Make sure you try to stop smoking body get used to CHAMPIX . the first 12 weeks of treatment or if on your quit date.