How do prescription medications help you quit smoking?

Stop Smoking with Prescription Champix®

If you watch television you have probably seen the commercials for Champix® with  Ray Liotta as the spokesperson sharing that his story about being able to quit smoking with Champix®.  The CDC says that smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S.  In 2017 approximately 34.3 million adults in the U.S. smoked cigarettes, and over 16 million suffered with a smoking-related disease.    Even though smoking can lead to serious health problems such as asthma and death, people still continue to smoke.  Fortunately, if you have ever asked yourself “how do I quit smoking?” there is good news.

There’s no doubt that trying to quit smoking is hard.  Nicotine addiction is very real and a very difficult to overcome.  While some people have success breaking the cycle with non-prescription medications like Nicorette®, others turn to prescription medications like Champix®. 

Unlike Nicorette®, Champix® is a nicotine-free prescription medication and, according to a large study, it has helped more people quit smoking than nicotine patches.  To date, more than 12 million people have used prescription Champix®

Champix® is known as Champix® in Canada. The active ingredient is varenicline tartrate.

Champix® tablets: 0.5mg tablet.

Champix® Starter Kit: 0.5mg/1mg tablets

Champix® Continuation Kit: 1mg tablets

How Champix® Helps You Quit Smoking

Champix® works by attaching itself to nicotine receptors in the brain so that nicotine can’t.  Normally nicotine will attach itself to the receptors, releasing dopamine and creating a sense of well-being and satisfaction. However, when the dopamine levels drop, you begin to crave more nicotine and feel the need to reach for another cigarette.  Chantix® helps break this cycle of addiction.

There are three ways smokers can quit smoking with Champix®:

• Fixed Quit Approach – if you want to quit after a week of taking Champix®. 44% of smokers who chose to take this approach were able to quit within 9-12 weeks.
• Flexible Quit Approach – if you want to quit within a month of starting Chantix. 54% of smokers who chose to take this approach were able to quit within 9-12 weeks.
• Gradual Quit Approach – if you want to quit gradually and slowly wean yourself off nicotine. 32% of smokers who took this approach were able to quit within 15-24 weeks.

When you quit smoking, whether you are taking prescription Champix® or not, there are often nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as the urge to smoke, hunger, weight gain, irritability and other challenging symptoms.  Speak to your pharmacist or doctor about possible withdrawal symptoms and/or side effects you may experience.  If you have other severe symptoms, including mental health issues such as depression or suicidal thoughts, it is important to speak to your healthcare provider immediately. 

It is important to read the safety information that comes with your Champix® prescription.

Want to learn even more about Champix®?  Visit their website at www.Chantix.com