Champix and Sick: What Users Say

• Dai...
• January 22, 2017

For Smoking Cessation "I started Champix on the 10th of Jan 2017. I didn't think it would work, by day ten, I have stopped smoking. The first tablets made me feel very sick - it was better with food. I have not missed smoking. To everyone who wants to stop or if you're finding it hard to quit - keep going, you will do it."

• Ema...
• October 15, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "I started Champix 15 days ago, 25 years of smoking. After watching my father die of lung cancer at the age of 62, caused by him smoking. I cannot let my children see me die the way my father did. My father died in June, so still pretty raw. Four days in of taking Champix, I had side effects: headache, sickly, etc. I felt like nothing was happening, and I was convinced it would not work for me. I was still smoking, still wanting and needing to smoke. Then day 14 came and something just clicked, I no longer wanted a cigarette, didn't crave it. For the first time in 25 years, I have done a whole day without a cigarette. Feels weird, feels like I'm sort of grieving for it because I no longer need it. I could never even imagine my life without smoking, I couldn't ever imagine driving to work and not smoking 2 cigarettes on the way, or waking each morning and having a coffee and cigarette. My advice to anyone who's thinking, 'It's not working,' give it a chance, it's totally worth it. :-)"

• Sic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "I feel so, so sick and so depressed...but I did stop smoking in my first week of taking the drug as I felt too sick to smoke. I'm now in my last month, and I want to stop taking Champix, but I'm scared if I don't finish, I will start smoking again. The meds have made me so confused, I can't think properly. I have all the side effects they say you can get BADLY! I feel like I have the worst hangover ever! But I'm a non-smoker, and I'm losing so much weight. Just hope I can get through the last month. All I can say is I will never ever smoke again, and I can't go through this again!"

• Jun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "12 years ago, I was so sick with bronchitis and still trying to smoke, so I decided I definitely had to give them up, and for good. I’d tried the patches, the chewing gum, but still went back to them when my doctor suggested I try Champix for 12 weeks, so I did. A few days into taking it, I felt sick, but I’d set my date to get off them, October 22, and I did, and I never looked back. I don’t crave them or ever wish that I’d go back, and I really thank Champix, because I know I'd have never given them up. Side effects: sickness at the start, then a few side effects at the end, hearing things, seeing things, depression, but my doctor was very good, and I finished the 12-week course, and I was great."

• CEE...
• May 16, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "I started Champix on the 19-4-16 and carried on smoking till my decided give-up date of 4-5-16 (may the 4th be with you, lol). I experienced a couple of days where I felt edgy, like I could hit someone or cry! I had 10-minute waves of sickness straight after taking the tablets and am now only left with the disturbed sleep on week 4. I am having trouble getting to sleep and was advised to take the second tablet earlier, between 4-6 in the evening, and am currently trying this. I drive for a living, so do need my sleep to improve ASAP! Having said that, this is a wonder drug, I am so impressed with it! I have no urge to smoke, no cravings at all. It's like I want a fag out of habit but don't need it. I will complete the 12 weeks but am very happy."

• Kiw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "Resorted to Champix on day 15. Still smoking but not enjoying, and just had my last cigarette and decided not to carry on taking this medication. Pluses and minuses to these tablets. On the positive side, no cravings and smoking a lot less. Downside effects for me have been very short-tempered, tired, and drowsy all the time, plus times where I've felt sick. I'm not a person who takes a lot of medication. So my overall thoughts on Champix and the reason I've given it stars is that it's a good start for me, and now starting from tomorrow, I am mentally prepared to stop. I was smoking around 12 a day, today down to 3, so I'm now ready to do this cold turkey as I can't deal with side effects, especially at work. Good luck, everyone. Feeling very positive."

• Rub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "Coming up to week 12 soon of my Champix journey and so glad I did it! For the first 5 days, I carried on smoking as usual, about 15 a day. By day 8, I was having 1 a day... By day 14, I had not had a cigarette for 4 days! Yes, now and then I did feel sick, but nothing I couldn't handle (better than smoking). Made sure I had eaten before taking my tablet. Also felt a little tired now and then. I have definitely lost my appetite, but I'd rather that than weight gain. Don't worry if you haven't given up straight away, around day 14 is a good place to start. Just keep going as it will be worth it in the end. I can't thank Champix enough. I just stopped thinking about smoking completely, which would never have happened cold turkey."

• Han...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "I'm in two minds about this drug. I'm on my third week and have not had a cigarette for a week now. I smoked around 20 per day and always found it hard to quit. Tried patches, inhalers, gum, etc., in the past but found the cravings really hard. This is actually working, and I'm not wanting a cigarette so much. HOWEVER, I feel awful. I'm extremely tired all the time and have zero energy, which isn't like me. I'm having terrible nightmares and other strange dreams and waking up in sweats. I feel sickly all the time with a metallic taste in my mouth, headaches, and over the last couple of days, I've had severe stomach cramps and terrible wind. Going to the doctor for advice. I do not feel good at all."

• 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 :)"

• TJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "It was good to read all the comments. I have been a smoker for over 35 years, and I started to feel wheezy, etc. I have tried so many times to quit but have never been successful. I started taking Champix 11 days ago and stopped smoking on day 6. I cannot believe that I have not smoked a cigarette for a whole 5 days. It is mad! I do feel sick after the first tablet, but just eat, and it's not so bad. The dreams are crazy, but I can live with them if it means I won't smoke. I feel a little low, but I control it as I know it's the tablets. I'm just really happy at the moment with Champix and feel really positive about a non-smoking future."

• mil...
• July 8, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "Second attempt at Champix, so far so good, but will say this time round I think I have every side effect: craving, feeling sick, strange dreams, tiredness, eating a lot more. I'm on week 4, but determined to do this. I smell better, my bank account looks healthier. Good luck to everyone."

• Sle...
• December 17, 2013

For Smoking Cessation "I took Champix for 25 days, one in the morning and one in the evening. I stopped on day 15. Side effects were gas, bloated belly, sick feeling, waking during the night, nasty taste in my mouth, and I got really angry over small things a few times. I'm off the tablet 3 days and feeling like things are going back to normal."

• Bru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "Did Champix stop me from smoking? Yes. I think so, although surely the decision to take them in the first place is a bigger indicator of my willingness to quit. Did Champix give me bipolar mood issues? ABSOLUTELY. Did I finish the course? No. These things made me really miserable, they made me feel sick, and the effects scared the hell out of me. Would I use them again or recommend them to my friends? No. Absolutely not. Overall: steer clear."

• Ret...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "First, I would like to say thank you to everyone who posted here to talk about their experience. I am attempting CHAMPIX now for my second time. I have figured out how to prevent the sick feeling. I eat a little and then take the pill and eat more. Kind of like I am burying the pill in my food. LOL. I have had some crazy dreams, something that actually isn't so bad. They are just of people that have passed away and are visiting me. I do notice if I am starting to get grumpy and take a deep breath. I have great control of that. So, I am on date 7 and found myself here. I read the comments about people's journeys and find it has helped for reassurance. That yes, it's not easy, but it can be done. So again, high five to a healthy life and I can't wait to stop taking these pills."

• GR1...
• January 14, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "The only downside to this drug for me has been difficulty sleeping and crazy dreams. But to me, that's worth it! I quit on day 6 of taking Champix and am now 8 days smoke-free, and I couldn't feel better. Exercise is much easier, my skin has improved, and I am proud of myself. Smoking always made me feel guilty. I felt ill for the first 3 to 4 days and cut down from 10 to 2 a day, then just decided smoking was worthless to me because it really felt that way... for the first time in 8 years! I have decided to remain on the lower dose of Champix as I quit on it and feel confident I can continue. It always lowers the risk of side effects and makes it easier to come off the tablets, so an all-around win for me. I highly recommend these tablets!!!"

• Suz...
• February 2, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "I started taking Champix on 10th January 2018 and had a 2-week course. I had been rolling my own cigarettes, about 10 to 15 a day for over 45 years. I am so pleased to say I have not touched a cigarette for 2 weeks now! If I can do it, anyone can! Had a couple of side effects, like feeling sick after taking them and dreams, but just persevered for the 2 weeks. So pleased I carried on until I finished the 2-week course!!!!"

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "Yes, Champix is a fantastic pill to stop you from smoking. I smoked since I was 11 years old, and I'm now 47. I haven't had a cig, nor do I want one since the 12th of May 2018. But the tablets are making me so, so sick, I even got anti-sickness tablets off the doc, which worked for a day or two, but I'm thinking about stopping them all as it's not nice to be sick so much. Anyone else been so ill?"

• Ari...
• December 7, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "I have used Champix before and stopped smoking for 2 years. I stupidly started and have gone back on them. I have tried lots of different nicotine replacement methods, and this is the only one that works. Those of you with little willpower (like me)? This is for you. I do suffer side effects but can manage them as the alternative is smoking! Side effects include stomach pains and sickness. To solve this, take the tablet after a decent meal and a lower dose (I can manage on the .5 mg). Hard to sleep and nightmares - no solution, but better than waking up coughing up phlegm every morning. At times, I still get the urge to have a cigarette, but the experience of this is a big mistake as they taste awful, and as soon as you light up, you will put it out. Keep busy."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "I would like to share my experience of Champix. I am now a mental health nurse who has smoked since I was 13. I want to strongly advise extreme caution against taking this medication. I had a constant taste of pennies in my mouth, I was tired all day and wide awake at night. I felt sick all the time, my vision was blurred, I felt moderate to severely depressed, having strange thoughts, significantly agitated, and hit a real low spot. My stomach was awful, I couldn't stop eating (I put on 2 stone in 3 months), and after 2 attempts on this drug, I didn't stop smoking. I stupidly didn't tell my GP, so I carried on, until one day I snapped, and my mum took me to the walk-in clinic, who told me it was this drug. It took around 3 months to feel myself again, and even though I am still smoking, I wouldn't try this again."

• jsj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "I've been on Champix since November 6, 2016, and not had a cigarette since the beginning of December-not a full one either, as I had to put it out halfway due to the awful taste and felt sick. Yes, they are fantastic at stopping you from smoking, which I did for 37 years on and off, as nothing worked as well as these do. But the sickness, headaches, itchy eyes, and skin, and sleepless nights are really a big problem for me and have been since Day 1. I have asked my nurse if I can reduce my dose from 1 mg twice daily to 0.5 mg twice daily due to the side effects, but she wants me to persevere a few weeks longer. I also have raised blood sugars, being diabetic, and although struggling with the Champix severely, I have cut down to 1 mg once daily, and it's worked."

• 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!"

• Art...
• August 31, 2015

"Little about me: 37-year-old male in good shape, quit smoking on March 27, 2014, using Champix. I will never smoke another. Only thing bad was I had to eat all the time or I got the shakes and felt sick. Also, my blood pressure is just now going back to normal after 1 year and 5 months. After I quit, it was up to 180 over 80. I'm taking 85 mg aspirin."

• Emb...
• October 30, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "I was a 'social' smoker for 20 years, which was progressively becoming a daily issue. After trying everything, including hundreds of dollars on hypnotherapy, which didn't work, I went to my doctor, who told me I used cigarettes as a reward at the end of the day. She mentioned Champix might be beneficial. I take antidepressants as well. Within a few days of Champix, I wasn't enjoying cigarettes, and by day 10 or 11, I stopped completely. This was 6 months ago. I did slip twice while drinking too much wine, as I stopped taking the Champix prematurely and started taking it again. The only side effect was sickness, like morning sickness. Champix makes it easy to quit, as it really reduces the cravings. Such a positive experience."

• Los...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2021

For Smoking Cessation "I quit Champix right after the first stage (14 days = one package) and am still having really hard side effects (after four days): dizziness, bad mood/temper, feeling sick, etc. My reason for quitting after one package: understanding that this is a really, really strong prescription drug. So, I did quit smoking as well (half Champix + half willpower), but gotta warn everybody that this is some serious brain chemistry stuff and definitely leaves some damage behind (at the moment, I can't tolerate my wife's presence, for example, and almost hate her without any reason. I explained the case to her as well... and she tries to understand...). So how did Champix work for me? It made cigarettes taste like hay and sucked out all the pleasure from my brain synapses."

• Ker...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "Not only given up smoking in the last 14 days, but also feel sick at the thought of any animal product. Usually eat steak and omelettes. Now spent a fortune on vegan food."