Varenicline

*Medicines that reduce withdrawal symptoms and feelings of pleasure associated with smoking

**Note: Our medical team must review your online consultation before approving this treatment. They will determine if the requested treatment and quantity are safe, appropriate, and effective for you.

Varenicline is a prescription medicine that helps adults quit smoking.

Varenicline is different from other smoking cessation medicines. Varenicline works differently from other medicines used to quit smoking. Unlike nicotine patches or gum that replace nicotine, Varenicline specifically targets nicotine receptors in your brain. This helps to reduce cigarette cravings and minimize withdrawal symptoms.

Varenicline’s brand-name medicine, Chantix, was manufactured by Pfizer and was approved by the FDA in 2006. However, Pfizer discontinued the production of Chantix in 2021. The FDA approved generic Varenicline in the US in the same year.

At SpeedyHealth, our doctors are able to prescribe Varenicline for adults who are motivated to quit smoking.

Varenicline works in two ways. It helps in quitting smoking by reducing the craving to smoke and depriving the smoker of the pleasure associated with smoking.

• Varenicline activates the brain’s nicotine receptors. This activation reduces the craving to smoke one more cigarette and helps smokers manage their withdrawal symptoms more easily. This step enables smokers to quit smoking in a more seamless manner than before.
• Varenicline also blocks nicotine from attaching to the brain’s receptors. This deprives the brain of the pleasure associated with smoking. With this, smokers find less pleasure in smoking, making quitting or cutting down on smoking less challenging.

For those who are determined to quit smoking, Varenicline offers many benefits:

• It is clinically proven to increase the chances of successfully quitting smoking addiction when compared with trying to quit without medication.
• It partially activates the nicotine receptors in the brain to reduce cigarette cravings and minimize withdrawal symptoms.
• It blocks the nicotine from binding to the receptors in the brain, preventing the pleasurable effects that smokers experience from smoking.
• If smokers are not willing to quit abruptly, the medicine also offers gradual quitting over 12 weeks.
• Clinical studies show that Varenicline also helps people stay smoke-free long-term, even after the treatment has ended.

Quit smoking medicine Varenicline is extremely efficient in helping smokers quit smoking.

A clinical study was conducted with 155 participants over 24 weeks to analyze the effects of using Varenicline to stop smoking. The participants used tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes at least once a day. For the first 12 weeks, the study was divided into two groups, where some participants were given Varenicline, and others were given a placebo.

Both groups were monitored for the next 12 weeks and also received counseling for smoking addiction.

The study found that:

• Between the 4th and 12th week, 50% of participants on Varenicline abstained from smoking, as opposed to 16.9% of participants on the placebo.
• By the 24th week, around 48.7% of participants on Varenicline remained smoke-free, compared to 14.3% of participants on placebo.

Varenicline is highly effective for smokers committed to quitting, but it may not be suitable for everyone.

Who can take Varenicline?

Varenicline is suitable for individuals over 18 who are addicted to smoking and motivated to quit. It is recommended for people who have struggled to quit using other methods and are looking for an alternative.

Who cannot take Varenicline?

You should avoid taking this medication if you are allergic to the active ingredient or any other ingredients in this medicine. Before you take Varenicline, inform us in your consultation form if you:

• Are currently on other stop smoking pills.
• Have a history or currently have depression or other mental health problems.
• Have kidney problems or are on kidney dialysis.
• Have heart problems or issues with blood vessels.
• Are allergic to Varenicline.
• Are pregnant or planning to get pregnant.

Special precautions need to be taken in the following events before taking Varenicline:

• Patients with a history of seizure episodes or any other conditions that lower the threshold for seizure episodes should use Varenicline with caution.
• Patients with a history of cardiovascular events may experience another cardiovascular event after taking Varenicline. Hence, Varenicline should be prescribed with caution in such cases, and any worsening cardiovascular symptoms need to be reported immediately.

There are two ways you can take Varenicline. The information below explains how to take Varenicline for the best results.

If you slip up and begin smoking again after taking Varenicline, do not get demotivated. Just try again. Usually, people need to take Varenicline for a few weeks before the tablet actually begins working for them.

Dr. Adrian Rawlinson Supervising Physician

Varenicline begins to work as soon as you start to take it. However, it might take a few weeks to notice the effects.

How will I know if Varenicline is working?

You will notice signs of improvement when it comes to your smoking addiction. These include:

• Reduced cigarette cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
• Reduced pleasurable experience after smoking a cigarette.

Varenicline needs to be taken for up to 12 weeks.

If by week 12, you have completely stopped smoking, our doctor may prescribe a maintenance dose of Varenicline for another 12 weeks to keep you off smoking.

To make quitting smoking easier, you can also try the gradual approach to abstain from using a cigarette.

Taking Varenicline to stop smoking is one of the biggest lifestyle decisions you will ever make. To get the most out of this medication and improve your chances of success, it's important to consider the following lifestyle changes:

• Seek professional help if required: Varenicline helps battle nicotine addiction. Withdrawal symptoms may include feelings of depression, anxiety, hostility, agitation, and even suicidal thoughts. Let your doctor know immediately if you experience any of these feelings.
• Meditate: Meditation can help calm feelings of agitation and restlessness. Practice meditation to combat negative thoughts and emotions.
• Exercise regularly: Exercise, for at least 150 minutes a week can help fight the side effects of nicotine addiction.
• Avoid smoking triggers: Identify and avoid situations that tempt you to smoke, such as social events or drinking alcohol.
• Get support: Join a support group, or talk to friends and family who can help you along the way.

Like all medicines, Varenicline may cause some side effects.

Common side effects:

• Nausea
• Troubled dreams or strange and vivid nightmares
• Feeling constipated
• Experiencing gastric issues
• Vomiting

Varenicline can have some serious side effects. Stop taking the medicine and seek immediate medical attention if the following side effects persist or worsen:

Serious side effects:

• Feeling suicidal or attempting suicide
• Feeling depressed or getting panic/anxiety attacks
• Feeling agitated or restless
• Experiencing violent thoughts or violent behavior
• Hallucinations
• Paranoia
• Confusion
• Abnormal mood changes
• Swelling of face, mouth, tongue, and lips
• Trouble breathing
• Skin rash, redness, swelling, or peeling

This is not a complete list of Varenicline’s side effects. For a full list, please refer to the Patient Information Leaflet.

Nausea is one of the most common side effects of taking Varenicline. It will usually resolve within a few days of starting the medicine. But if nausea persists, talk to us about dose reduction.

Dr. Adrian Rawlinson Supervising Physician

Varenicline doesn’t interact with a lot of medicines. However, inform us in your consultation form if you are currently on or planning to take any of the following medicines:

• Insulin
• Some medicines for asthma
• Blood thinners e.g. Warfarin
• Other ‘stop smoking’ pills

When taking Varenicline, it's important to follow these safety guidelines:

Store Varenicline at room temperature between 59℉ and 86℉. Do not use Varenicline tablets past their expiry date. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

Disposal

Do not throw away unused or expired Varenicline in your household waste. Return it to your nearest pharmacy for proper disposal.

No, you cannot buy Varenicline over the counter. It's a prescription-only medication. You will need a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare professional to purchase the medicine.

You can simply fill out our short consultation form and get an e-prescription from one of our licensed doctors.

Yes, you can buy Varenicline online from SpeedyHealth. Ordering this medicine online is convenient and straightforward. All you need to do is follow these four simple steps:

• Complete a quick online consultation for Varenicline. It only takes 5-10 minutes.
• Our doctor will review the form to ensure the medicine is right for you.
• Upon approval, an e-prescription will be issued.
• Our licensed pharmacy will dispatch the medicine in discreet packaging and send you the tracking details. We offer free doorstep delivery, so you do not have to pay for shipping.

Your privacy is our top priority. SpeedyHealth uses secure, encrypted transactions and complies with USA medical standards to maintain confidentiality.

Here’s why you should choose SpeedyHealth for better management of your health:

• Our licensed doctors manage your consultations and prescriptions.
• Enjoy the convenience of online consultations and forget lengthy wait times for prescription approvals. With SpeedyHealth, everything is handled online and with complete discretion.
• Our dedicated customer support team is available to answer your questions and resolve your concerns.
• You can manage your prescriptions easily through our secure platform.

Varenicline is a highly effective option for quitting smoking however, another alternative is Bupropion (Zyban). Explore the comparison table below to learn more about these treatments: