Chantix and Constipation: What Users Say (Page 2)

• 2lu...
• September 19, 2010

For Smoking Cessation "After reading so many negative experiences, I was reluctant to take Chantix. So I cut the pills in half for the first 3 days and gradually worked up to the full dosage. Noticed some dizziness and constipation, but otherwise felt like a million bucks. Today is day 9, and I'm not feeling that great. Nausea, constipated, and hungry all at the same time. I am not smoking, though. After 2 friends were diagnosed this year with lung cancer, I am determined to quit. So putting up with a few side effects is better than the side effects of chemo!"

• Anonymous
• October 28, 2009

For Smoking Cessation "The drug REALLY reduces the urge to smoke, but it made me suicidal, and I wanted to hurt everyone I came across. I had no control over my emotions, and I was always severely aggravated. I finally ended up in the psych ward, and it almost ruined my marriage. I also had black stools, constipation, and wicked dreams. On the plus side, I lost 45 pounds. I got down to 1 cigarette every 3 days but had to go off the drug as I had a severe adverse reaction. Alas, I'm still smoking, but I'm so desperate to stop I would consider using it again under strict doctor supervision. My husband was successful, only mild side effects."

• Eri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2012

For Smoking Cessation "When you look at the overall goal, it was perfect. I quit smoking in three weeks. My wife then tried it and had a similar timeline for success. So one month each was enough for both of us to quit smoking. We were each about a two-pack-a-week smoker. We have both been quit for 3 years. I would recommend it, although I did experience some strange dreams, constipation, and nausea. I still believe overall it was worth the downsides. Everything returned to normal after I quit taking the medicine."

• Ex-...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "Ok, I have tried many things to quit smoking, and patches helped me a lot! However, even with them, I have failed. One thing left to try was Chantix, and I was thinking it would make a huge difference! (It did for my friend!) I have been on Chantix for 3 weeks and had no desire to quit smoking whatsoever! I smoked a pack and a half even the third week! I had vivid dreams (but I always do), and I had constipation (which I never have)! No other side effect that I was aware of! And really, my smoking pleasure was the same! I stopped taking the pill! I felt I gave it a long enough try! I am sure it works for some people, but it did nothing for me! And I was scared of the damage it was doing to my body! Now I am smoke-free-cold turkey!"

• Anonymous
• July 7, 2011

For Smoking Cessation "I tried Chantix for a period of 2 months. My cravings for a cigarette eased until I cut down to about 3 per day. The nausea lasted for about 20 minutes after each dose and got better over time. The vivid dreams, constipation, and gas got worse. I understand this medication is not going to work the same for everyone. I believe there is a short window of opportunity when you either quit or you don't. When I was down to 3 per day, I probably should have quit. This medicine began to make me agitated, anxious, and very hard to get along with, to say the least. I still smoke, unfortunately."

• Joa...
• May 1, 2010

For Smoking Cessation "My husband and I celebrated one year smoke-free on March 5, 2010. Both of us were 30-year smokers, I smoked 2-3 packs a day and he smoked 1-2. Chantix was the magic pill we'd always joked about! The only side effect we suffered was constipation (we know two other people who had the same easy experience, but two of my cousins had to stop because of vivid nightmares). I feel very lucky that Chantix worked so well for us. Neither of us has had any interest in smoking since we quit."

• aje...
• October 5, 2011

For Smoking Cessation "I would recommend this medication to anyone. My doctor advised me of the side effects, but I really wanted to quit. I have smoked for 22 years, and I have a new grandson in the house. The only side effect I had was constipation, but it was something I could deal with. Always take this medication just after a meal, so you won't feel sick. I learned that the first week. I have been quit for 34 days, and I have been off the medication for 1 week. It suggests a 12-week treatment, but I knew I was ready. All of the anxiety, mood swings, and insomnia come along with nicotine withdrawals, but this medication makes them so much easier to tolerate. Hang in there, the first three days are the worst, but if you make it a week, don't turn back. GOOD LUCK."

• tom...
• April 15, 2011

For Smoking Cessation "I am on my second week of Chantix. So far, I haven't had any bad side effects. A little constipation is all. I've been a smoker since age 16, am now 48. I quit smoking cold turkey in 1988 for 6 years but started smoking due to an extremely stressful family emergency. Since then, I have tried nicotine gum and patches with no success. I already suffer from depression, so was unsure whether or not to use Chantix. After talking to my therapist, I got and started taking it. In the first week, I noticed that the craving for a cigarette was a lot less than I expected. Now, after the beginning of the second week, I can tell that cigarettes are starting to taste bad. So far, I'm very pleased with how the Chantix is working for me! I was a pack-a-day smoker."

• Anonymous
• April 10, 2011

For Smoking Cessation "I am on my third day of taking Chantix. Surprisingly, I already have extreme lack of cravings, however, the side effects of this medicine are bad. I have night terrors which are very graphic and violent. I wake up sweating and at times cried after waking because of the dreams. This has happened every single night so far since taking Chantix. I have nausea, heart palpitations, and headaches. I have also experienced bloating and constipation. I took the medicine today, but I have decided to stop taking it."

• Spa...
• September 19, 2010

For Smoking Cessation "I have smoked 1/2-1 pack a day for over 30 years. In 2006, I quit cold turkey and stayed clean for 19 months before (stupidly) smoking again. I smoked until I started taking Chantix on 7/16/10. This medicine works to quit, the desire to continue smoking stopped after about the 6th day. These are the side effects for me: I have experienced VERY vivid and some really weird/disconcerting dreams, but not what I would describe as nightmares. For about the last 3-4 weeks, I have been experiencing severe depression, but not suicidal. I have experienced depressive cycles before in my life, but this has been pretty brutal. Dizziness, nausea (taking the pill on a full stomach helps), constipation, and weight gain. To be fair, quitting cold turkey is also similar."

• Anonymous
• March 3, 2009

For Smoking Cessation "I have tried Chantix three times, each time with worsening side effects. While it does help me not to smoke, I have experienced severe constipation, slight nausea (no problem if taken with food), and some vivid dreams. After reviewing others' comments, I may give it another go with a lower dosage."

• Cas...
• January 16, 2012

For Smoking Cessation "I am 33, smoked since age 21. All the side effects you hear about are very real, and for some, like me, they are magnified a lot. I was able to quit smoking after just a few days of taking Chantix and had no desire to smoke at all. I had quit for 3 weeks, so I decided to stop taking Chantix, as the side effects were really starting to affect me. The nausea, constipation, tiredness/grogginess, and feeling disconnected at work and home, getting mad at the smallest things, and yes, even suicidal thoughts. I had to stop taking this medicine. I am now quitting smoking cold turkey."

• Ste...
• February 10, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "Chantix really works! I am 24 years old and have been smoking since I was 14, so 10 years. I tried gum, patch, and cold turkey, nothing worked. Went to my doctor because I knew I needed Chantix. The first week was okay, had a couple of weird and vivid dreams, but nothing I couldn't handle. After the fifth day or so, I was down to like a couple of cigarettes a day (I used to smoke almost a pack a day). I am now in my second week and am officially not smoking at all. I am having some side effects, though. I have bad headaches all throughout the day, my stomach is upset, and I got constipated. It's kind of like the feeling of being hungover. But it is all worth it in the end, I believe. I would rather have a couple of headaches than continue to be a smoker."

• sig...
• November 14, 2011

For Smoking Cessation "I'm on my 12th day and haven't had a cigarette for 5 days. Had some constipation and wacky dreams that make me wake up laughing sometimes. I almost look forward to them - otherwise, no other symptoms. Sometimes I get an urge to smoke after I eat or when I'm on the phone, but they are easily ignored. So far, so good. I think I will take it for 2 months just to be sure. I'm really glad I started Chantix, I had some reservations, but it's been a miracle - I just lost my desire for smoking."

• cdb...
• February 7, 2008

For Smoking Cessation "I have taken Chantix for about 2.5 months. Although I am smoke-free, I must say the upset stomach, nausea, wild dreams, lack of energy, constipation, and depression may not be worth it."

• Lyn...
• March 18, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "I do have constipation, nausea, and headache."

• Anonymous
• September 15, 2011

For Smoking Cessation "Little tightness in the chest, constipation, gas, and 'fuzzy' feeling at times. Stopped smoking 10 days after beginning medication. So far, so good :)"