Varenicline and Depression: What Users Say (Page 4)

• rob...
• October 7, 2014

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I took Chantix for 11 weeks and quit smoking on week 3. I have smoked off and on for 20 years. Using Chantix was 100 times easier than quitting cold turkey, therefore, I'm giving it a high rating. However, the side effects of it were horrible. I wasn't truly honest with my doctor about the side effects, which was wrong looking back. I became so depressed and withdrawn, and sometimes would lay in the bedroom and just eat! In fact, I ate a lot and gained 35 pounds in 12 weeks. So, I stress caution for anyone using it, although I will say it does help quit smoking."

• rob...
• October 7, 2014

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I took Chantix for 11 weeks and quit smoking on week 3. I have smoked off and on for 20 years. Using Chantix was 100 times easier than quitting cold turkey, therefore, I'm giving it a high rating. However, the side effects of it were horrible. I wasn't truly honest with my doctor about the side effects, which was wrong looking back. I became so depressed and withdrawn, and sometimes would lay in the bedroom and just eat! In fact, I ate a lot and gained 35 pounds in 12 weeks. So, I stress caution for anyone using it, although I will say it does help quit smoking."

• Anonymous
• August 1, 2011

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I have been on Chantix now for 2 weeks. I smoked a pack a day for 40 years without ever quitting. I stopped smoking July 26 and have been smoke-free now for 7 days. I'm thrilled that I'm able to stop. It's difficult, but the side effects are worth going through for a while; having an oxygen tank and cancer would be worse. I'm having nausea, weird dreams, depression, little energy, dry mouth, and headaches. Go with the flow; the symptoms will pass eventually. What's good, my hair and clothes don't smell, I have more time on my hands to live life more fully without a monkey on my back that is a killer."

• mil...
• July 16, 2011

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "My husband has been on Chantix for several weeks now. I requested that he did not go back on it. He took it about 8 months ago and became someone completely different. He was depressed and agitated, even came home one day requesting a divorce out of the blue. He quit taking the Chantix, and within days, everything seemed normal again. Now that he is back on it, within days, he informed me he wants a divorce because he is not happy with his life. He is depressed once again. He will not communicate with anyone and has also started drinking frequently, which he did the first time he was taking it. He even commented that his dreams are so vivid that he is having difficulty determining the difference between dreams and reality."

• Anonymous
• November 9, 2009

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I am on my six-week pack of Chantix. I felt great the first month. It really did help me quit smoking. I still have thoughts of smoking, usually at the end of a stressful workday. I have noticed that the last two weeks my mood has changed. I can feel myself slipping into a state of depression. I am trying so hard not to focus on this, but it is really hard. I don't have a strong support system, and I don't have many close friends that I can talk to, so this scares me. I don't want to smoke anymore, but I think that after I finish this package of Chantix, I am not going to get the third month."

• Som...
• October 4, 2017

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I used Chantix for about 2 weeks, and the side effects were horrible: depression, insomnia, anxiety, etc. But it did get me to quit smoking. You could attribute those symptoms to quitting, since they are common symptoms of stopping smoking, but I will nip that argument in the bud. I was an emotional wreck, barely able to function at all. Cold turkey wouldn't be as intense as what I experienced on Chantix. I would recommend Chantix as a last resort for anyone wanting to quit smoking."

• Bro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2017

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I started taking Chantix when I was 45, and other than smoking, a healthy female who was guessed to be the age of early 30s every time someone asked. Healthy. But after taking Chantix for 2 months, my ears started ringing. It was assuredly annoying, however, I liked the way it was also affecting an awful bout of temporary depression after having just lost a friend to cancer. I kept taking it, I did quit smoking fairly quickly, within the first 3 weeks, but the doctor agreed to keep me on it for the depression relief for 8 more weeks. In that 3rd month, my ears started ringing so loud I couldn't sleep, I could hear what sounded like my own pulse pumping through my ears. My blood pressure skyrocketed, edema was 1/4' deep, and I now have an aortic aneurysm!"

• jko...
• September 21, 2007

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I have been on Chantix for 3 weeks now. My first week, everything was fine. Then, on my second week, with the full dosage, I had nausea and loss of appetite. I am on my third week, and I still smoke about 5 cigarettes a day. I know I could just stop now, but I think it is more out of habit than anything else. The nausea has pretty much gone away, but now I am experiencing irritability, depression, lower back pain, and having to get up in the middle of the night to urinate."

• pri...
• September 25, 2007

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "When I started Chantix, I bought a different brand of cigarettes. I figured that would also help me not smoke as much. I am on my fifth day, only having weird dreams. I see a lot of comments about people getting depressed. I take something for depression now, so I'm wondering if this will help me get through without feeling an increase in depression."

• Anonymous
• December 29, 2011

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I quit smoking for the fourth and final time, May 5th, 2010. I used Chantix, and it saved my life. I can't speak for some people who claim it made them crazy, but I can say that when you quit smoking, you are going through withdrawal. As such, one will experience bouts of depression, hot or cold flashes, anger, and possibly physical pain. I experienced all of these effects, but the three days of pain far outweigh the freedom I have now. Chantix helped me accomplish something I honestly and truly believed I was incapable of doing. I can't speak more highly of this medication. Anyone who is considering quitting should consider Chantix. It doesn't hurt to try, it hurts to continue smoking. Stop making excuses. You CAN do it!"

• DMa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2017

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I've been on Chantix for two weeks now. Yes, I'm moody as hell, depressed, la la, BUT I naturally have those issues to begin with. It's not Chantix. Chantix may bring those conditions further to the surface, but you have to have a history of them first. Meditate, do yoga, listen to music, read, go for walks, up your intake of vitamins. I also take Zoloft, which helps greatly. You have to be responsible for yourselves. Period. You either want to quit or you don't. End of story."

• Edd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2012

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Chantix worked for me, although the side effects were no fun for me. I was a pack-a-day smoker for 9 years. Chantix took my cravings and desire to smoke. Experienced vivid dreams, stomach pains, dry mouth, and extreme hunger. I stopped taking it after two weeks. For about a month after taking it, I experienced severe depression. I had forgotten that was a symptom, so I could not recognize what had caused this until my depression was over. I have never struggled with depression, and this took a toll on my work and the way I related to people around me. I started smoking again a month later. Planning on giving it one more chance, and this time, I'll be able to RECOGNIZE it. Good luck, everyone."

• NLa...
• September 21, 2007

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I have been on Chantix for 8 weeks. I have smoked for 42 years and smoked 1 1/2 to 2 packs a day. Now I have one cigarette about once a day or none. I just started getting nausea, I am tired all the time and feel a little down. But if I can quit, I would think this will go away once I am off the pills."

• Jen...
• March 2, 2009

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Although I had some really crazy side effects, I highly recommend Chantix to those who are serious about wanting to quit. I have taken Chantix for 3 weeks and am smoke-free. I took it before and quit, but I took myself off and started back up once I was around smokers. Now I will definitely take it for 3 months. The side effects were the worst part. I had very vivid dreams. Some good, but most of them were very, very strange. Other side effects I had were nausea, but that is only when I am around smoke right now. And the last side effect I have is depression. I notice that due to the other side effects I seem to be having more depression, which I need to seriously take into consideration as to why and not really worry about it."

• luc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2019

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I was on Chantix and became depressed. I had bad side effects which caused me to almost ruin my marriage of 20 years. I had crazy dreams and became delusional and had crazy thoughts. I thought of the past and it made me angry and upset. I ended up cheating on my wife and she found out. I got off of Chantix and started smoking again. I'm one lucky bastard that my wife did not leave me and had the heart to make things work. I still want to quit smoking, but I'm looking at alternative ways to do so."

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2009

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I am on my 9th day of Chantix, which is up to the 1 mg pills twice a day now. The first week taking Chantix, I smoked 3 cigarettes to 'finish off the pack,' and hated every single puff. I actually ended up putting the cigarettes out after 2-3 puffs. The smell was disgusting, and the taste was awful. I still have cravings to smoke but know that it won't do me any good to buy another pack. Waste of money because I won't smoke them. However, the side effects are EXTREMELY intense for me. I have had EXTREME ANGER outbursts, and very severe depression. My stomach hurts after taking the pill, and I just want to roll up in a ball. I think I could quit taking the pill now and be smoke-free to lessen the psychotic episodes, but I'm really not sure."

• EX-...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2013

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I took Chantix for 4 weeks and actually quit after the first week. While it did work for smoking, it brought a number of other problems for me. I was nauseous and did have vivid dreams, but that was minor. In trying to get myself off this medicine, I find I am severely depressed. Never having this type of feeling, I was not sure what was going on. I leave the house to go to work, and that is it. I find myself not wanting to answer the phone when it rings. I sleep for hours...before bedtime...and have no problem sleeping all night. I'm very snippy towards everyone. My husband and kids are taking the brunt of this. How long will these side effects last?"

• Fir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2022

For Smoking Cessation "Initially, as I was tapering up in doses, I noticed weird dreams. Then, when I got to the max dose, my depression hit me like a ton of bricks. I also vomited when taken on an empty stomach or too long after eating. The depression was much worse, though. (I am also bipolar.) Please be careful taking this if you already have a mental illness. I was able to recognize the downward spiral and immediately spoke with my provider and stopped the Chantix. I did notice I don’t want to use my vape, but I would rather vape than be this depressed."

• Twe...
• December 8, 2009

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I'm 58 and have smoked for 40 years. 1 1/2 to 2 packs a day. I'm on my 3rd month and still smoking 5 to 7 a day. I have to quit but don't want to. I'm a 6-month breast cancer survivor, and they took away my hormones that I've been on for 30 years. So in the last 6 months, I've had a lumpectomy, 7 weeks of radiation, no hormones, and am trying to quit smoking. Needless to say, the doctor gave me a prescription for depression. Now I'm gaining weight because I'm not smoking. I expected Chantix to be a miracle pill, but now I realize it won't work unless I truly want to quit. I refuse to give up and will continue with Chantix until I quit."

• Qui...
• May 23, 2009

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Chantix definitely stopped me from smoking. Within days of starting the medication, the number of cigarettes I was smoking during the first week dwindled down to zero. I liked that the medication makes the satisfaction of smoking go away and the taste/smell of cigarettes absolutely horrible. However, the only major side effect I experienced was depression. It was getting so bad I had to stop taking Chantix after the second week. Even though I stopped early, I still do not want to smoke, and the depression went away. I feel great. Because of the side effects, I couldn't give the medication a higher rating than 8. Instead of thinking about taking it off the market, they should improve it so that side effects such as depression are lower."

• Anonymous
• February 24, 2010

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Four weeks on Chantix worked. I stopped taking the drug a week ago and still don't have the desire to smoke. I definitely experienced nausea and have had the worst sleep of my life over the last month. I had a hard time falling asleep and an even harder time staying asleep. Another side effect has been weight gain. Over the course of the last 18 years, I've gained 25 pounds, and 15 of that 25 has been in the last 4 weeks! Lastly, I (and those around me) have noticed that I'm extremely irritable and aggressive. In my first couple of days off the meds, I felt depression like I never have and was even more irritable. The weight gain still continues."

• Tya...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I was into the end of my second week of taking varenicline medication. I woke up on the morning of the 13th day and felt a bit grumpy! I gradually became angry for no reason, and it wouldn't stop, it only got worse! I had to remove myself from others for their safety because of the rage I felt! I have never been like this! That night, I was getting really unwell and went to bed at 6 pm. I awoke the following morning in a low mood, which I thought was OK as the varenicline was leaving my body! This was only the start, and by 10:30 am, I was slowly going out of my mind! I needed help for mine and others' safety. This is now day 3 of not taking varenicline, and I feel so depressed and suicidal. I kept holding on to the fact that this dangerous drug will be leaving my body soon! This drug should never even be allowed near people if varenicline has this effect on me. I am still going through hell and will be taking this further with the medical authority."

• Ell...
• January 18, 2019

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Don't play Russian roulette with your brain. I took this thinking it was a miracle and experienced throwing up with no warning, even while driving a car. Really dark, horrific dreams that were very vivid. Deep depression, anxiety, feelings of dread that were so bad I couldn't face another day, insomnia that lasted for 8 weeks before being put on Xanax, Trazodone, and Citalopram, all prescribed the same day as my doctor didn't recognize me. I couldn't perform the simplest tasks at my job and having panic attacks that would put me over the edge. This medication should not be for sale. It ruins your brain. Don't let this drug take away all the good things in life just to get rid of one bad habit."

• Ell...
• January 18, 2019

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Don't play Russian roulette with your brain. I took this thinking it was a miracle and experienced throwing up with no warning, even while driving a car. Really dark, horrific dreams that were very vivid. Deep depression, anxiety, feelings of dread that were so bad I couldn't face another day, insomnia that lasted for 8 weeks before being put on Xanax, Trazodone, and Citalopram, all prescribed the same day as my doctor didn't recognize me. I couldn't perform the simplest tasks at my job and having panic attacks that would put me over the edge. This medication should not be for sale. It ruins your brain. Don't let this drug take away all the good things in life just to get rid of one bad habit."

• Rhi...
• January 13, 2016

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I took Champix after 9 months of trying to break my 40-a-day, 22-year addiction with nicotine. I started taking it on Christmas Day 2015 and had my last cigarette on Jan 6th (day 12 of the course). I had to stop taking Champix on day 16 because the depression and constant crying were driving me almost to the point of smoking.... Have been left with willpower alone, and annoyingly have no reference now as to time for cravings to disappear, etc., as I'm not sure what the effect of Champix is in that respect. However, if I have to start again with this quit attempt, I would love to try Champix again."