How Does Chantix Work?

Chantix is a prescription medication used to help people quit smoking. It is typically used in conjunction with counseling and behavior modifications to help patients successfully quit smoking. To take Chantix, patients should choose a date to start their quitting process and start taking the medication a week before that date. The medication is taken orally once a day, preferably with a glass of water. It's best to get into the habit of taking Chantix at the same time so you remember to take it each day.

How It Works

• Chantix works by blocking the brain's pleasurable response to smoking. The brain has nicotine receptors. When nicotine attaches to these receptors, a chemical called dopamine is released. Dopamine gives you a feeling of pleasure. The active ingredient in Chantix, varenicline, binds itself to the brain's nicotine recepetors, meaning nicotine from cigarettes can no longer bind to those receptors. When varenicline attaches to nicotine receptors, much less dopamine is released than when nicotine attaches to the receptors. Because of this, people taking Chantix will not experience as much pleasure when they smoke a cigarette, making them less likely to want to smoke. Success rates for Chantix users are typically higher when patients also go through counseling or therapy to help them modify their behavior.

Nonserious Side Effects

• Side effects sometimes reported by people using Chantix include vomiting, gas, increased appetite, constipation, nausea, stomach upset, changes to how foods taste, headaches, difficulty sleeping, and strange, vivid or unusual dreams. None of these is cause for concern.

Serious Side Effects

• In rare cases, people taking Chantix may experience side effects that indicate a potential problem that may require medical treatment. If you experience any of the following side effects, stop taking Chantix and contact your doctor immediately: behavior changes; hallucinations; new or worsening mental problems, including agitation, anger, aggressive behavior, anxiety, depression, nervousness and thoughts about hurting people; memory loss; seizures; suicidal thoughts or actions; vision changes; chest pain; a fast, slow or irregular heartbeat; and severe of persistent nausea.

Warnings

• Chantix may not be safe for all people, including those with a history of kidney problems or dialysis, mental or mood problems such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression, and suicidal thoughts or actions. People who have used smoking-cessation products before and experienced severe or unusual side effects also may not tolerate Chantix. Always discuss your complete medical history with your doctor before taking new medications.

Drug Interactions

• People using Chantix should not use it in combination with nicotine-replacement therapy because it increases the risk of experiencing bothersome side effects such as vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, headaches, dizziness and tiredness. And as with all prescription medications, always tell your doctor and pharmacist about all other medications you are taking to help prevent harmful drug interactions.