Champix tablets contain the active ingredient varenicline, which is a medicine used to help people who are addicted to nicotine to give up smoking. It acts in the brain, but is not the same as nicotine replacement therapy.
Champix (varenicline) is a type of medicine called a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist. This means that it acts on the same receptors in the brain as nicotine does.
Champix works by stimulating the nicotinic receptors in the brain. This produces an effect that relieves the craving and withdrawal symptoms you can get when you stop smoking. At the same time, varenicline blocks nicotine from acting on the receptors. This prevents any nicotine inhaled in tobacco smoke from having a rewarding and enjoyable effect. However, it is recommended that you dont smoke while you are taking this medicine.
You should seek help and support as much as possible while giving up smoking, even while taking this medicine, as this will increase your chance of success. Your doctor, practice nurse or local pharmacist can all provide this support.
You should start taking this medicine while you are still smoking and set a 'target stop date' for within the first two weeks of treatment. This is because the medicine needs time to start working.
The dose is increased gradually in the first week of treatment and the medicine is then taken twice a day for 12 weeks. If you have successfully managed to stop smoking at the end of 12 weeks, your doctor may offer you a further 12 week course of treatment.
The tablets should be swallowed whole with a drink of water. They can be taken with or without food.
