Champix Initiation Pack

Containing the active ingredient varenicline, Champix is a prescription medication that is recommended for smoking cessation. It is made from plant extracts and does not contain nicotine. The medicine works by relieving the withdrawal symptoms and cravings that people experience when they give up cigarettes. It also makes smoking less enjoyable.

Champix is a proven medication in the treatment of nicotine addiction. It decreases both the craving for cigarettes and the pleasure derived from smoking them. Research has found that more patients remain non-smokers after treatment with Champix than with any other stop-smoking method or medication. If you manage to give up cigarettes with the help of these tablets, you stand to live a longer and healthier life, and you should also save yourself money.

Full details on dosages are provided with the treatment. If you would like further information or advice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the medical professionals at Click.

Champix is usually taken for 12 weeks. We recommend that you complete our online consultation, as this will allow our medical team to recommend the most appropriate treatment programme for you. For the best results, you should aim to give up cigarettes one day during the second week of your course of tablets. Set this date at the start of your treatment so that you know what you are aiming for. When you begin taking the medication, have one tablet per day for the first three days and then switch to two tablets for the rest of the programme.

Varenicline works by blocking the pleasure induced by nicotine in your brain receptors. It also helps to decrease your desire to smoke. Figures show that people who take Champix are over three times more likely to stop smoking than people who attempt to quit without help. Bear in mind that for the best possible chance, you need to have a strong motivation to give up the habit.

The side effects most commonly associated with this smoking cessation medicine include headaches, nausea, difficulty sleeping, tiredness, abnormal dreams, dry mouth, dizziness, increased appetite and altered taste sensation. In rare cases, more serious side effects such as hallucinations and changes in behaviour are possible. If you have any questions about the potential side effects, contact your doctor or consult our specialists, who are available to answer any queries.

If you're not ready to give up smoking yet, or if you feel like tablets like Champix aren't the right option, other alternatives are available.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is one option that can help you quit smoking. Nicotine patches, for example, deliver controlled doses of nicotine through your skin, and you can gradually reduce the strength of the patches to make it easier to quit smoking. Nicotine gum/lozenges can also be used alone or alongside patches, especially if you're a heavy smoker. Another way to deal with your nicotine cravings is using nicotine inhalators/sprays, which can help reduce your cravings for cigarettes too.

While more research is needed to understand the benefits of electronic cigarettes (E-cigarettes), the NHS considers them a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes containing tobacco. To learn more about quitting smoking and explore other options, visit the NHS Quit Smoking site. There, you'll find a list of prescription medicines that can help you quit smoking, as well as other helpful advice.