Champix and Constipation: What Users Say

• Riz...
• February 11, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "Day 8 on Champix. I've smoked for 22 years. For the past year now, my smoking has increased from smoking all the years, 6-7 per day, to double the amount. Side effects: slight nausea after taking the pill lasts around 5-10 min. I don't eat breakfast, so I just take it with a large glass of water. Bad constipation, bloating, takes me ages to fall asleep at night and wake up constantly. No bad dreams. I'm eating more and feel hungry all the time. I'm now at the point where I don't go out first thing upon waking in the morning with my coffee to smoke. I love my red wine, and I have found that I don't even feel like having wine or drinking since a couple of days ago! I can only really smoke half a cig, then I have to stub it out. Champix works by slowly reducing my craving to smoke. Each day, especially since starting the 1 mg twice daily, I'm not thinking of smoking, and today I only had 3, which is already a big achievement for me. The best thing I've done for myself and my family."

• Din...
• December 21, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "Have been smoking for 38 years, my cigarette intake had crept up to 15-20. I've never really thought about stopping, but had a medical scare and thought, right, that's it! Started Champix 7 days ago. I am truly amazed, they are magic. I actually stopped smoking on day 5, not even wanting one, no cravings. It's as if I have never smoked at all, I just can't explain it. I would say the only side effect I've had is constipation. If you have any doubt about this medication, don't. They actually work. Amazing."

• Lou...
• July 26, 2009

For Smoking Cessation "I was not expecting Champix to work as efficiently, but I am surprised by how effective it is. I'm on my eighth week of taking Champix, and my fourth week of total quitting. I smoked as normal for the first two weeks, stopped smoking through the day, then got down to one or two smokes a day before quitting completely. It just seemed effortless. The side effects have been interesting. My dreams have been very vivid but not disturbing. The nausea has been easy to manage by eating something like yogurt before taking, and constipation remedies are easy to find. I would recommend it to anyone, and indeed do."

• Bum...
• July 4, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "Smoked 25 a day for 28 years and lost count of the number of times I've tried to quit and failed. Now I've been smoke-free for 9 months (feel GREAT)! Life on Champix was VERY tough. Started off with the usual half tablet and things were fine, but within a couple of days of being on the full dose, the suffering began. Bloated, constipated, angry, vivid, nasty dreams, no sleep, lethargic, and so, so emotional I burst into tears over nothing. In the end, I cut back to half the usual full dose and eventually stopped taking Champix altogether after 6 weeks. Took some time after this for the symptoms listed above to disappear completely, but eventually they did."

• Gyp...
• May 3, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "I felt like I lost 2 months of my life on Champix. Was lucky to get four hours of sleep (after wacko dreams) a night; depressed, lethargic, bloated, and constipation like you would not believe. NOTHING WORKED - for two months I tried everything, even bio-prep (like you have before bowel surgery) or enemas. I was walking around in an absolute fog. But I have to say, Champix worked, and I have tried everything over my 28 years smoking. I stopped taking the tablets 3 or 4 weeks ago and am fine, no desire to have a cigarette at all. Best of all, it does kill the nicotine monster - I found I was starting to get addicted to the little lozenges (my Happy Pills) when I was on those. Good luck if you are considering taking Champix."

• lcl...
• August 29, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "I have been on this med for 5 weeks. I am 20 days smoke-free. I am also bipolar, which I am medicated for, and I continue to take that, and it's not been an issue. The only side effect I have on this drug is constipation. I smoked for 38 years. I feel great, and I will take Champix for 10 weeks as advised, and be smoke-free the rest of my life. Thank you for this wonderful drug."

• Cli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "Update on the smoking medication: The first week there were hardly any side effects, the only one that really stuck out was feeling a little down. I noticed that I doubt myself and my relationships more often, and it sorta amplifies my main insecurities a bit. Second week so far, today was my first cigarette-free day. In the instructions, it says to stop smoking completely between day 8 and 13 of the medication, I think. I am now starting to notice a bit of constipation. That's all so far. Oh, and the cravings while on the medication are bearable, they are still there, but if you have at least a little bit of willpower, you should be able to manage. I just remind myself that I really need to stop after smoking for 6 years and remind myself that I will be much better off quitting now."

• Ber...
• February 18, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "Female smoker of almost 50 years. Like all smokers, I have a constant desire to quit but am immobilized by fear. Heard about someone who quit taking Champix, researched the product, and all of the amazing people who shared their experiences online helped me make the decision to start this drug, despite my fears. I am completely blown away by how effective it is. I'm on day fourteen and haven’t smoked in 3 days now. Prior to my full quit day, my smoking reduced every day, I just couldn’t smoke! Yes, I had bad side effects: nausea and tummy pain the worst. Took omeprazole each morning before the morning tablet and ensured I ate before, during, and after taking the tablet. That helped a lot. I had a fuzzy head, dizziness, constipation, flatulence, everything. But all this will pass, and I will be a healthy, happy non-smoker. My chest has already cleared, and there’s not so much wheezing at night. Start it, stick it out, it will work for you. Good luck."

• Anonymous
• June 2, 2010

For Smoking Cessation "I'm on day 16 now, I stopped smoking on day 10. Sometimes I feel the craving, but it's easily manageable. For side effects, I got nausea and constipation, also bad heartburn, hairy tongue. (I don't know if this is related to the Champix or not.) Overall, I'm happy with the results so far."

• hut...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "Week three smoke-free!!! Ok, so I get headaches, feel sick, constipated, crazy dreams, but not enough to not be able to go to work and function. I stopped smoking day 9 - haven't smoked for three weeks and it's fine - I don't even care - this stuff really works!!!!! Just got to deal with side effects :)"

• Bre...
• August 15, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I quit smoking on July 6, 2015. I have now been smoke-free for 39 days and counting! I have saved $340 and not smoked 607 cigarettes. Just like some of the others on here, I have experienced almost all of the side effects. The vivid dreams are still a nightly occurrence, and the nausea and constipation are experienced daily. I feel that I can get through these side effects, knowing that I am no longer hurting myself by smoking. I am so thankful that I am finally rid of the nicotine demon! Thank you, Champix!"

• Chi...
• October 2, 2013

For Smoking Cessation "Great results, but side effects were unpleasant. I could cope with constipation, but when I had disturbed vision and speech, I decided to stop the tablets. It's day 5 since I stopped, after 5.5 weeks of Champix. Still don't want a cigarette."

• Lee...
• February 16, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "Today I am on week 3, day 21, and I have not touched a cig, suffering with constipation and a little nausea. I feel refreshed, I can breathe better, I have an appetite, which is good for me because I am skinny and hoping that I will gain some weight. Thank you, Champix. I never thought I could give up smoking ever."

• Mrs...
• January 21, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "I am 52 and have smoked since I was 16. I gave up with patches 7 years ago for 3 years. Then started again. I have tried patches again and hypnosis, but nothing worked, so I tried Champix. A couple of people at work had tried and failed with it last year, but one lady I know tried it 4 years ago and is still not smoking. I have taken 14 tablets now and not smoked for 3 days, which is amazing for me! But the side effects have been (and have now stopped) horrible. I spent all weekend in bed under the quilt feeling sick, giddy, and spaced out. I have been constipated for two weeks (okay now), headaches. Tired. Can't drink wine or coffee! (Not really a bad thing!) But I am loving the dreams! It's working, so it's worth it!"

• itz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "I started taking Champix without any motivation. I was facing side effects like constipation, gas, dry mouth, unusual dreams, and headache, but I did not stop taking the tablet. On the 4th day, I smoked a cigarette, and just after that, I got a headache. I smoked a couple more, and the headache was unbearable. I took painkillers twice. That was the day when I started to hate smoking from the inside. Tomorrow, it will be the last day of my 2nd week. I am taking Champix half an hour before sleeping and after breakfast. So far, I did not have any sleeping problems. During the second week, only two side effects I am facing: unusual dreams every night. I urinate almost double than I used to. In between, I do a little bit of exercise and try to eat a lot. Thank you, Champix."

• Kiw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "Now onto Week 5 of non-smoking with Champix. Have tried many cessation tools (patches, etc.), but this has been the best for controlling urges to smoke easier. However, side effects for me have been crazy, so will be stopping the course early. The side effects include insomnia, tiredness, lucid dreams, lethargy, swollen legs and ankles, sore feet, constipation, nausea, and mood swings that feel more in line with bipolar depression/quick to anger/anxiety/frustration. More than the usual nicotine withdrawal-associated symptoms."

• Tea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "Okay, so I started Champix 2 weeks ago, and I am still smoking. Very disappointing because I read how all the other people quit on their quit day. I've gone from smoking a packet to between 2-4 cigarettes per day. Mmmmm, I suppose that is still good, but not the desired effect that I actually wanted. :( The dreams are REAL!!! Sometimes I don't know whether to worry because of things in my subconscious or if it's just the tablets. I am starting to eat a lot, and then I suffer from constipation. So unless Champix is still going to work its magic, I have come to the conclusion that Champix is for people with a low level of willpower tolerance. Does it make sense? I have a very high level of tolerance :("

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2013

For Smoking Cessation "Champix has stopped me smoking, however, the side effects have been horrible. I have been nauseous, made sick by any smell (food or anything else), and am tired, depressed, and constipated."