It has already passed almost 2 years since the date of approval of Chantix – the first medication from Pfizer, specifically designed to treat smoking. Since then the perception of Chantix by experts and wide publicity has changed from fascination, admiration and treating it as a real anti-smoking wonder drug to more sound judgment and evaluation of the real risks and benefits of Chantix.
Now it has become obvious that the way towards cigarettes-free living with Chantix is not deprived of some hidden threats and potentially dangerous medical adverse reactions. That is why in order to get the most of Chantix therapy, the primary objective of a patient next to making a firm decision to quit smoking is not only getting a prescription from his doctor, but also being very accurate about proper use of this medication.
So, once the key decision to end up with smoking is made, it is time to set a quitting date – a day when you smoke the last cigarette and say “farewell” to smoking hopefully forever.
It is important to note that you would better set a quitting date in advance, because taking Chantix should be started 7 days before the quitting date. The first three days you should take one white tablet (0.5 mg) of Chantix every day, and during the next four days you should take two white tablets of Chantix (one in the morning and one in the evening). Such “introductory course” is necessary for your organism to get used to Chantix therapy. By the way, you may continue smoking during this period up to the quitting date.
After the quitting date smoking becomes a taboo, and you should do your best to concentrate on achieving your smoke-free goal. After the quitting date Chantix should be taken twice a day (one pill in the morning and one in the evening). It is important to take blue tablets of Chantix during this main course of treatment.
Unlike white pills, blue Chantix tablets contain 1.0 mg of active ingredient to help your organism overcome withdrawal symptoms and neutralize the effect of nicotine in case you could not resist the temptation to take a cigarette. While you are on Chantix, cigarettes do not produce the satisfying feelings in your brains, because nicotine receptors are blocked by the medication.
In fact, slipping up to smoking during the treatment period does not mean a patient is not able to quit smoking, or the medication does not work – it just means that addiction is a real and very powerful enemy, which is not so easy to overwhelm. Just be patient, strong, persistent, - and follow your plan.
Usually, it takes 12 weeks for most of the patients to quit smoking with the help of Chantix. If you have completely quit smoking by this period, it is better to consult your doctor whether it might be helpful for you to continue taking Chantix in order to stabilize the effects of therapy.
In order to maximize the benefits of Chantix and minimize side effects risks, you should stick to the regimen of taking pills at the same time every day. Besides, in order to minimize nausea, you may find it helpful to take Chantix after meals and with a full glass of water (it helps to avoid constipation as one of the side effects). If you missed a dose, try to take it as soon as you remember; however, if it is close to the time of your next dose – just wait and take the next tablet as scheduled.
Some people may experience increase in hunger when on Chantix. Do not panic and do not change your eating habits abruptly, just try to stick to a healthy diet and metabolism will get normalized soon.
Finally, you should keep in mind that Chantix works physically to help you quit smoking, but psychological support is also of great importance for achieving the goal. Here your family and friends may be of great help, supporting you psychologically. Besides, you may be interested in using online supporting service from Pfizer, called GETQUIT, where you can get additional support and motivation, identify smoking risks and find activitiesalternative to smoking.
Nick
User Contributed Comments
Craig
I really need to know how to prevent the nausea! I\\\'ve tried taking it after eating and it doesn\\\'t help. While it only lasts about 20 minutes, it is moderate to severe. Would pepto help or should I steer clear?
Nick {The Pillwatch Writer} \
Craig, nausea is a common adverse reaction associated with Chantix. Some people managed to control it by taking Chantix during meal with a full glass of water. Others just devide the pill into two and take it twice a day. Though, since your nausea seeems to be pretty stubborn, I would recommend talking to a doctor - perhaps, he could make some changes to schedule you take Chantix, or prescribe you some meds against nausea.
Tgil
i have been on chantix for 22 days. have been smoke free for 16. It's great. I have some nausea within the hour of taking a pill, but it usually goes away. But I am experiencing MAJOR constipation and didn't have my period. I guess my question would be did it cause me to miss my period or did it make my pill not work?
bigjay
I\\\'v been on chantix for 3 wks now. I haven\\\'t had a smoke in 2 wks. no urge, no physical side affects(dreams a really intense though). I am pleased with this drug.
hilde
I have been taking Chantix for 16 days and have not had a smoke in 9 days! I have no desire whatsoever to ever smoke again! Side-effects are just a bit of nausea but goes away. This is a great product!
JustKate
I'm not sure how I came across this site, and I don't know that I'll be able to find it again in the future, but I feel after reading these responses a strong sense to share my experience. I've been on Chantix for 12 days, and been smoke free for only 3. However, I smoked a pack and a half a day for 18 years. This may not seem like a big deal, but it's huge! I have absolutely NO desire to even be near a cigarette. The smell of cigarette smoke is the only thing making me sick. The only side effect I'm having trouble with (and until I see the doc, I have no idea if this is from the Chantix or a natural reaction to nicotine withdrawl)My TMJ has kicked in to overdrive. My jaw muscles are constantly clenched and it's giving me pretty bad headaches. Whether it's from the meds or not, I'' take this over being a smoker any day! I strongly recommend this medicine to anyone who thinks quitting is nearly impossible. That was me 2 weeks ago. I guess I'm going to turn into one of those reformed smokers I couldn't stand... Congrats to all of you who have quit and to those of you who are brave enough to try!!
gerdau
The Dr, gave me chantix in hospital, i was overwhelmed with nausea,but i did noticed that i did not want a smoke. I came home and did my own reaserch, they gave me the pill before i ate,whew,so sick, when i did figure it out, i thimk oatmeal, just a mall amount without other things in it is the best food, then eat what you want. No drinking, so far no sickness, no weired dreams, no anything, been on 2 weeks, may be troble later when it increases. Hope someone can give better results for then.
experienced
Day nine here. I had a bit of nausea the first couple of days but taking it with food and a full eight ounces of H20 works for me.
Vivid crazy dreams!!! I did slip once, and I really used the experience as aversion therapy. It wasn't gratifying, no 'brain hit' that I once had with nicotine. Also I think there is a bit of taste perversion with regards to nicotine, I used to smoke menthols before I quite.
I find that an almond or two works really well when I do have an urge to smoke.
Vivid crazy dreams!!! I did slip once, and I really used the experience as aversion therapy. It wasn't gratifying, no 'brain hit' that I once had with nicotine. Also I think there is a bit of taste perversion with regards to nicotine, I used to smoke menthols before I quite.
I find that an almond or two works really well when I do have an urge to smoke.
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