Varenicline and Constipation: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• April 10, 2011

Varenicline 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

Varenicline 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."

• sen...
• October 24, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "Halfway through my fourth week on Champix and am loving it. Slowed down significantly starting day eleven and stopped smoking completely on day fourteen. Haven't had the urge since, except for minor ones when out with smoking friends-that passes quickly. I have no real side effects, which was my biggest worry about Champix. I am slightly constipated and would say that I am sleeping more lightly (I wake up easily). I'm also eating a lot more than usual (but that is a symptom of not smoking, not of the drug?). It was explained to me this drug needs to be taken with food and plenty of water, which I have done. I believe this is why I'm not having any nausea, as so many other reviews talk about. The one day I felt slightly nauseous was the only day I took the medication without food. I was a 25/day smoker for 36 years before I started Champix. I will continue this course of medicine for the prescribed 12 weeks and feel very optimistic that I will never smoke again. So far, so good!"

• Anonymous
• March 3, 2009

Varenicline 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

Varenicline 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

Varenicline 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

Varenicline 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."

• dak...
• December 15, 2007

For Smoking Cessation "This drug will help you stop smoking if you are ready to quit. Hands down, it works great, but I did have other problems, mostly gastrointestinal in nature. Constipation, gas, burping. I tried it 2 times. The first time it almost worked. I wasn't ready to quit. The second time, I quit after only 1 1/2 weeks. Then I had side effects and quit taking Chantix and quit smoking both. So I believe it is in your head as well. If you want to quit, you can, the drug will definitely help."

• Ala...
• March 28, 2021

For Smoking Cessation "This drug absolutely works. Yes, there’s a little bit of side effects, like constipation and nausea at first, but it all blows over eventually. The one thing I have to say is do the WHOLE program the first time. The drug works so well at making you stop smoking after day 8-ish, that I thought I no longer needed to take the drug. Boy, was I wrong. I started smoking 2 months after I stopped taking the drug. And when I started smoking again, I DOUBLED how much I smoked before. This is my third time being on the drug, and I have committed to doing the whole program. I am on the last week ever. I feel awesome, and NEVER want to put another one of those sticks that I loved so much in my mouth again. I absolutely loved smoking. But I love this more. Very effective drug if your mind is in the right place."

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

Varenicline 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

Varenicline 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."

• cdb...
• February 7, 2008

Varenicline 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

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

• Anonymous
• September 15, 2011

Varenicline 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 :)"