Varenicline tablets

About varenicline

Nicotine is a drug that is inhaled from the tobacco in cigarettes. It gets into the bloodstream and stimulates the brain. Most regular smokers are addicted to nicotine. Even though you want to stop smoking, it can be difficult to succeed, because nicotine addiction is strong and hard to break. This is where varenicline can help.

Varenicline mimics the effect of nicotine on the body. This both reduces the urge to smoke and relieves withdrawal symptoms. It also blunts the effect of nicotine in people who give in to temptation and have a cigarette. This reduces the enjoyment of smoking.

Varenicline will not make you stop smoking. You will still need determination to succeed and to break the smoking habit. A combination of varenicline with counselling from a nurse, doctor, pharmacist, or other health professional is likely to increase your chance of successfully stopping smoking. Therefore, most doctors will only prescribe varenicline to people who really want to stop smoking as part of a stopping smoking programme.

Before taking varenicline

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking varenicline it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding.

• If you are under 18 years of age.

• If you have ever had a mental health problem such as depression.

• If you have ever had a heart or blood vessel problem.

• If you have a problem with the way your kidneys work.

• If for any reason you are at risk of having a seizure.

• If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.
  

How to take varenicline

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about varenicline and stopping smoking. It will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which can be associated with varenicline.

• Take varenicline exactly as your doctor tells you to. You will be asked to set yourself a date on which to stop smoking. Your doctor will then ask you to start taking varenicline tablets at least a week before this 'quit' date. The aim is to build up the dose so that your body gets used to the medicine before your quit date.

• Start by taking one white tablet (500 microgram) once daily for the first three days. Then on days four to seven, take one white tablet twice a day, one in the morning and one in the evening. On day eight onwards, take one light blue tablet (1 mg) twice a day. A full course of treatment lasts for 12 weeks in total. The course may be continued for a further 12 weeks if you have successfully stopped smoking but your doctor feels it will be of help to you.

• It is not important whether you take varenicline tablets before or after food, but it is best if you try to take your doses at the same time(s) each day. This will help you to remember to take the tablets regularly. Take each dose with a glass of water - do not chew or break the tablets before you swallow.

• If you do forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose (in which case leave out the missed dose). Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor or nurse. This is so that you can be given counselling and encouragement, and also so that a check can be kept on your progress.

• Make sure that your doctor or healthcare professional knows if you are taking any other medicines. This is because stopping smoking can change the way your body breaks down certain medicines. So, as a result of quitting, the dose of some prescribed medicines may need to be adjusted.

• After your course of treatment, your doctor may suggest that you gradually reduce the dose over a week or so, before you finally stop taking varenicline. This is because a few people have experienced problems for a short time when they have stopped taking varenicline suddenly - these have included an urge to smoke again, feeling depressed or irritable, and sleeping difficulties. Although this only occurs in a small percentage of people, reducing the dose slowly reduces the risk of it happening.

Can varenicline cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with varenicline. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. You should tell your doctor if you develop any unwanted effects, as a reduction in dose may be an option for you. Some of the symptoms may also occur as a result of stopping smoking.

Important: if you become agitated or depressed, or if you start having thoughts about harming yourself, you must stop taking varenicline and let your doctor know straightaway. These symptoms can occasionally occur as a side-effect of treatment, and they can also occur as a result of nicotine withdrawal. If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the tablets, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store varenicline

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
  

Important information about all medicines