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Chantix and Vivid Dreams: What Users Say

Vivid dreams: mentioned by 240 users (20.0%)

Based on user experiences from 1,200 Chantix reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

nausea 21.6%
vivid dreams 20.0%
depression 8.1%
insomnia 5.0%
tiredness 4.8%
headaches 4.4%
irritability 3.7%
constipation 3.5%
upset stomach 3.3%
anxiety 2.9%

Reviews for Chantix

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Qan...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 16, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "Took Chantix for less than 2 weeks before quitting cigarettes. Just finished my first week of no cigarettes and NO medication. I was very ready to quit when I started Chantix. Still craving but keep reminding myself of how far I've come and how I really don't enjoy smoking. I'm just bored. Find something to do - it helps. First day of no cigs or meds, I made it all the way to the store for a pack and by the time I got there, didn't want a cig. Side effects were irritability, sleepiness, and definitely weird dreams. Just kept telling myself the sooner I stop smoking, the sooner I can stop taking the meds."

10 / 10
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  • haw...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 24, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I smoked 2 packs a day for about 30 years. Had the start of Emphysema. I started taking Chantix about 2 weeks before my quit date. My own stubbornness had me wait another week before quitting. I started writing down every time I had a cigarette. The time of day. What I was feeling. How much of the cigarette I smoked. Even what the weather was! I noticed a pattern begin to form and changed the pattern. When my new quit date came around, I didn't even want a smoke. Just went outside and started doing yard work. My last smoking date was March 28th, 2008. It's now May 24th, 2019. Over 11 years smoke free. I had no side effects other than funny (as in ha ha) dreams. I do have small cravings even now. But I just redirect myself and it's gone. Oh, and the emphysema is gone!"

10 / 10
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  • Smo...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 4, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "I have been on Chantix for 3 weeks now. I couldn't smoke past day 4, however, I continued till day 8. I haven't smoked in the last almost 10 days. The good thing about Chantix is that it is so easy to manage withdrawal symptoms. I do get some weird dreams, but it is easy to manage."

10 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Suz...
  • September 21, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "Smoked 2 packs daily for 35 years. After the 3rd day on Chantix, smoked less than 10 cigs a day. On the 5th day, smoked 4 cigarettes. On the 6th day, I threw away my cigarettes. I have just started my 31st day on Chantix. Honestly, I don't think I will need the entire second month's dosage. I feel so much better; I don't want to ruin this by picking up another cigarette. There are side effects that you have to plan for and deal with, such as nausea after each dose. Be sure to eat a meal before each pill and drink PLENTY of water. I have had an occasional headache and vivid dreams. None of the side effects have been deal breakers. The 'magic' that makes Chantix work is directly proportional to your level of commitment to quit smoking. If you are at that point, I would highly recommend Chantix - nothing else worked for me and this has been the charm."

10 / 10
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  • Bel...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 31, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "After reading reviews, I was terrified to take this medicine, but I really wanted to quit, so I gave it a try. I took it for 35 days and quit due to side effects. I smoked for the first two weeks and haven’t smoked another one in 3 weeks. I did experience nausea, some vivid dreams, but nothing terrifying. I did get severely depressed and literally just got out of bed to go to work, so I decided to quit taking it. I think this drug is effective in helping you quit if you really desire to quit. It was a great start for me, and I’m hoping I don’t start back after quitting the medicine early. Cigarettes taste disgusting while using this, and you don’t get that satisfaction after smoking like you normally would, so I think that’s what helps."

7 / 10
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  • Rob...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 30, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "Only been on Chantix for two weeks, due to health issues, really needed to quit. The desire for a smoke has gone down, and they are not tasting as good. I smoked over a pack a day, now about a half pack. The only side effect is dreams, they are not bad but never remembered dreaming before. Still haven't set quit date, still riding out medication and trying to break smoking patterns. I am bipolar and have no mood shift or depression. Looking forward to seeing this through and being smoke-free! Already smoking half as much! Can't wait till the day comes I just put them down!"

10 / 10
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  • Dee...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 11, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "I love Chantix! It's amazing. The only side effects I had were a little nausea and some gas, but only if I didn't eat something or drink water with it. Very mild tiredness, nothing that a coffee or coke couldn't resolve quickly. Also, I experienced very vivid and wild dreams, almost realistic, but to be honest, I really enjoyed them. I have no desire to smoke whatsoever. It's the strangest and coolest thing in the world."

10 / 10
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  • pfa...
  • May 13, 2009

For Smoking Cessation "I have smoked for 38 years. I liked smoking. I never let my cigarettes run out. They were a friend. I could not imagine life without cigarettes. Chantix changed that. Chantix made cigarettes less important to me. I dwindled down to one cigarette a day over 6 weeks, and when the pack ran out, I didn't buy another one. I had the crazy dreams, brief nausea, and I also became terse, impatient, and snappy. When I started the 8th week, I decided to cut down to one pill a day to wean myself off the drug. I am still smoke-free. My mood has improved. I feel more like myself only I don't want to smoke. If I can Quit, You can Quit. Try it. LIVE BETTER WITHOUT CIGARETTES. GOOD LUCK!"

10 / 10
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  • Wan...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 20, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "I will be starting my 3rd month of Chantix in a few days. I’ve smoked a pack a day for 35 years. I’ve been diagnosed with stage 2 COPD. I’m down now to 5-6 cigarettes a day. I will smoke my very last cigarette tonight. However, the side effects as far as nausea have been very hard to tolerate. But I’ve learned from my doctor that I can take Zantac, and it works really well with the stomach upset. My dreams can be really vivid. I have some depression. I do find myself more tired and irritable, eating more and experiencing weight gain. The medication works, but you have to let it do its job, and you have to work with it. I’m stubborn, and I like smoking. I decided to try Chantix because I first read the reviews in here, and you all were my inspiration. I thank you for that, and I hope my quit date tomorrow, 12/20, is successful so that on Christmas, I may have the first few days of the rest of my life smoke-free to report to my kids. Thanks for listening, and thanks for your help."

10 / 10
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  • Jul...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 30, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I smoked for the 1st month while taking Chantix, waiting for cigs to taste bad, but it never came. I did notice after about 3 weeks I was smoking out of habit and cigs were not doing anything for me, so the 3rd day after starting the 1 mg 2x a day, I said no more, but really wanted one, but strong enough to say no even though it’s basically going through my mind a hundred times a day. I actually got through it. And the next day and the next. Today I am only 8 days without a cig and I still often say I want 1, but strong enough to say no. I have sat next to people that were smoking and it didn’t bother me at all. Taking 1 or 2 tokes of weed a day has helped me because breathing in smoke or something. Now not using that for a crutch. Side effects - few vivid dreams and also I can’t seem to control my anger. I get mad and confrontational, I blow up and then force myself to take a time out. I’m not sure if it’s the meds or just me getting rid of nicotine."

10 / 10
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  • MOM...
  • March 25, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "I have smoked for over 20 years. I took Chantix and smoked for the first 3 weeks. I did, however, notice after the 7th day that cigarettes were not as enjoyable. I stopped on the 3rd week because I was bored with smoking. I am now just 6 days smoke-free but feel amazing! I smell good, I can breathe better, and have saved enough to buy some nice perfume, which I can still smell on me at the end of the day. My smoker's cough is even going away. I am having strange dreams, but that is the only side effect. Chantix makes it so easy. I am going to continue to take it a few more weeks to be sure this monkey is off my back, and I plan to stay smoke-free forever. Thank you, Chantix. Update - 3/25/14 - 2 weeks smoke-free and the urge is gone!"

10 / 10
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  • amy...
  • May 20, 2013

For Smoking Cessation "I am a 53-year-old woman who started smoking when I was 9. By 13, I was up to 2 packs a day. I smoked 2 packs a day for 40 years. Every woman in my family died from emphysema. My mother was 59, my aunt 69, my grandmother ?. I have been wanting to quit for over 20 years. I've tried hypnosis, smoking camps, Smoker's Anonymous, pills, patches, anything. Nothing worked. A friend told me she had gotten Chantix and it gave her weird dreams, so she stopped taking it. I said I like weird dreams, can I have what's left over? (I know this is not the right way to get it.) She gave it to me with instructions. On the 6th day, I woke up (you can smoke for the first 7 days) and didn't even think about a cigarette, NO CRAVING WHATSOEVER!"

10 / 10
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  • Hap...
  • October 30, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I was extremely skeptical about Chantix. I needed to quit. I have tried gum, patches, lozenges-nothing worked, and the withdrawals were always really bad using the nicotine replacements. Now on Chantix, I have been 78 days without a cigarette, and my husband smokes. I don't even want a cigarette. I weaned myself off the Chantix, afraid I would have side effects like the other nicotine replacements-nothing. The only side effect was I had one weird dream that I was pregnant with twins, and I'm 51, that was as scary as it can get. I am so happy with this product, and the quit app is good too. In the beginning, I thought the app was lame, but I found myself really looking forward to checking it. I didn't smoke today on the calendar. Thank you, Chantix."

10 / 10
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40 Report
  • Fra...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • January 16, 2013

For Smoking Cessation "I have tried so many unsuccessful times to quit smoking. I have used patches, tried cold turkey, even hypnosis! Nothing worked. I have smoked for more than 35 years. I finally decided to try Chantix, thinking the entire time that it would fail as well. When my doctor told me that it actually blocked the nicotine receptors in the brain instead of just simply replacing the nicotine itself, I began to have some hope. I smoked for about a week, and the craving began to diminish. Cigarettes began to taste different. I had cigarettes, but I just did not want to smoke them. I knew then that something had changed. I had very crazy dreams, not scary, just crazy, but that was doable. I didn't get depressed at all."

10 / 10
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65 Report
  • Moe...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 14, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I had crazy dreams, I ended up getting depressed, it made me sick at times. I felt like I was crazy for about 3 months. I had to go on it a second time. I have been smoking for 20 years since I was 13 years old, and in the past, nothing has made me quit-not even one day, not even getting pregnant with my children. I would recommend Chantix to anyone that is serious about quitting. I've never been prouder of myself in my whole life. I have now quit for 24 weeks, I don't plan on ever smoking again. Thank you, Chantix."

8 / 10
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  • Ant...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 8, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "It's been 5 years since Chantix killed my multiple decade, hardcore, 2.5 pack a day tobacco smoking addiction. Given the very vocal community against the medicine, I think it's important that those of us whose lives have been saved by it speak up also. Chantix gave me some weird but not unpleasant dreams and made me moody. However, cold turkey withdrawal makes those side effects seem laughable as cold turkey attempts would make me close to completely irrational. Chantix is a miracle, don't miss out on it. As a final note, I do have to say, while Chantix does the heavy lifting, you still have to be committed to quitting. To this day, when I see someone smoke, I still have pangs of longing, however, I also have a healthy terror of smoking."

10 / 10
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  • Ven...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 11, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I have tried so many times to stop smoking without any success until Chantix + a good mindset. I smoked for 35 years, so I spoke with my doctor about Chantix. My start date: September 29, 2019, official quit date: October 7, 2019. I weaned down over a week and then just didn’t want them. It is now November 11, just over 30 days on Chantix, and the weird dreams I can handle. I've had a few episodes of anger but remembered this is a side effect. What I can’t take anymore is the anxiety, I have had daily anxiety attacks over the last 2 weeks and one full panic attack that lasted hours. So I have decided to also quit Chantix early since I’m getting scared of these attacks. It definitely works, just remember to read and understand side effects and identify those during the process. Let others around you know you’re taking it, and if they realize you’re having these side effects, have them remind you that it’ll pass, and if too severe, then see your doctor."

8 / 10
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31 Report
  • bre...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 28, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I smoked for 35 years. I was a pack and a half a day smoker. I was on the patch and chewing the gum, I even tried e-cigs. Nothing was working for me. Waste of money. Then a friend of my husband's told him about a new pill called Chantix that he was taking to try to quit smoking. I asked my doctor for a script for Chantix. I set my quit date for January 13, 2011. I have not had a cigarette since. I was not able to take a whole pill because it was too strong for me, so I cut them in half to see if that would help. Still too strong, so I cut the pill in thirds, and that was the right amount. I did have to eat before taking the Chantix, and I did have vivid dreams, but nothing I couldn't handle. January 13, 2016, will be my five-year anniversary. Go Chantix."

10 / 10
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46 Report
  • ano...
  • August 31, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "UPDATE: Today marks 90 days I've been smoke-free!!! And around a month now I've been off Chantix completely. No desire to smoke. Food tastes amazing! I can BREATHE. I haven't gained any weight, but I've joined the gym and started lifting. I feel GREAT. Wouldn't have been possible without Chantix. I weaned myself off of Chantix the last few weeks... made me apprehensive just stopping it cold turkey. Chantix gave me some weird dreams, nausea... nothing too serious. Much better than COPD, emphysema, lung cancer, DEATH from continuing to smoke. If I can quit, YOU can quit. Chantix saved my life. (31 y/o... been a smoker since age 13! Pack and a half a day when I decided to quit.)"

10 / 10
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  • aci...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 23, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I was on Chantix for two months, and there were a few side effects. After a month into taking it, I ran out of smokes towards the end of the day and just didn't have the desire to get any more. Before I knew it, it was a week and so forth. I have now not smoked in over four months. For me, taking this pill just slowly reduced my cravings. I can tell you that I was off a little bit, nothing I could put my finger on, just off... like a bit slow. I had weird dreams and was crabbier too. Due to these side effects, after I stopped smoking, I took the pill for another month and stopped Chantix too. This was the only thing that has ever worked, I've tried patches, lozenges, e-cigs, and cold turkey. It is really nice to be smoke-free."

8 / 10
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  • DFi...
  • September 8, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I started smoking at the age of 14. I'm now 28. I'm tired of feeling tired all the time and needing so much caffeine my chest hurts a lot. I started Chantix five days ago, and besides vivid dreams and feeling a little tired, it's been going really well. My quit date is Monday, September 14, 2015. My urge to smoke is becoming less and less, and I can't wait to get rid of this stupid, pointless habit! Good luck to everyone trying to quit! Remember why you're doing it!"

9 / 10
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42 Report
  • Swa...
  • March 30, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "On June 1, 2009, I began taking Chantix. The only side effect I had were the dreams, but they weren't scary, just very vivid. In fact, I liked the dreams so much I didn't want to wake up! I started smoking when I was 12, and in 2009 I was 54 years old. I was a smoker for 42 years and a two-pack-a-day smoker for at least 20. Nevertheless, Chantix worked for me, and I haven't had a single craving since I stopped taking it. I took it for the full 3 months, even though I didn't feel I needed to, I just wanted to make sure I got the full benefit. If I can quit on Chantix, you can too! I wish I'd replaced it right away with healthy habits like exercise, but it took me a while to do that. I feel healthier at 61 than I did at 21, which says a lot. Good luck."

10 / 10
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40 Report
  • Tin...
  • December 19, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I am on day 10 of taking Chantix. It has slowly made cigarettes taste awful. I feel like my mouth tastes like an ashtray. Tomorrow is my quit day, and I feel like I will do just fine as long as I keep taking the Chantix. The side effects so far have included: 1. Weird dreams the first week or so. (Some examples: I stabbed someone, and then the mafia chased me; I made out with a coworker; and I shot a man who was raping my friend.) 2. Slight nausea (Note: I can't eat much in the morning; after eating more later, I tend to feel better.) 3. Everything seems to smell like B.O."

10 / 10
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  • Gla...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 30, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "Just over 2 1/2 years ago, after smoking for over 40 years, I quit. With the help of Chantix, of course. The cravings (that everyone gets) are down to once every 2 or 3 months. Had several small heart attacks and then one BIG one. Rushed in and had emergency quintuple bypass surgery. Doctors said after that I wouldn't have made it one more hour without the surgery. One hour! I'm so glad to be here. True, my life isn't what I hoped for at my age now (59), but it beats the alternative. Chantix was heaven-sent to me. Yes, it disrupted my sleep and gave me completely wild, crazy dreams (in vivid color). But it works... IT WORKS... If you let it, if you want it so bad you stop fooling yourself. It can be done, and anyone can do it. Believe it!!!"

10 / 10
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37 Report
  • Unk...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 22, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "One month on Chantix and nothing. Still smoking, a few vivid dreams. Constantly up in the middle of the night going potty. Never had this problem before. More moody and angry. I want to quit but haven't even slowed down on smoking. I feel it's doing the opposite for me."

1 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.