Champix is a remedy that has varenicline tartrate in its composition, indicated to help stop smoking. This medication should be started with the lowest dose, which should be increased according to the manufacturer's instructions, upon medical recommendation.
This medicine is available in pharmacies, in 3 different types of kit: the start of treatment kit, which contains 53 tablets of 0.5 mg and 1 mg, and which can be purchased for a price of about 400 reais, the kit maintenance, which has 112 tablets of 1 mg, which costs about 800 reais, and the complete kit, which has 165 pills and which is usually sufficient to carry out the treatment from start to finish, for a price of around 1200 reais.
How to use
Before starting the medication, the person must be informed that he must stop smoking between the 8th and the 35th day of treatment and, therefore, he must be prepared before deciding to undergo treatment.
The recommended dose is 1 white 0.5 mg tablet, once a day, from the 1st to the 3rd day, always at the same time, and then 1 white 0.5 mg tablet, twice a day, from the 4th to the 7th day, preferably morning and evening, every day at the same time. From the 8th day, 1 light blue 1mg tablet should be taken twice a day, preferably in the morning and evening, every day at the same time, until the end of the treatment.
How it works
Champix contains varenicline in its composition, which is a substance that binds to the nicotine receptors present in the brain, partially and weakly stimulating them, compared to nicotine, leading to the inhibition of these receptors in the presence of nicotine.
As a consequence of this mechanism, Champix helps to reduce the desire to smoke, as well as to reduce the withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting. This medication also decreases the pleasure of smoking, if the person still smokes during treatment, which is not recommended.
Who should not use
Champix is contraindicated for people with hypersensitivity to the components present in the formula and should not be used by people under 18 years of age, pregnant and lactating, without medical advice.
See other tips to help you stop smoking.
Possible side effects
Some of the most common side effects that can occur during treatment with Champix are inflammation of the pharynx, the occurrence of abnormal dreams, insomnia, headache and nausea.
Although it is less common, other adverse effects may also occur, such as bronchitis, sinusitis, weight gain, changes in appetite, drowsiness, dizziness, changes in taste, shortness of breath, cough, gastroesophageal reflux, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, toothache, poor digestion, excess intestinal gas, dry mouth, allergic skin reactions, muscle and joint pain, back and chest pain and tiredness.
