Varenicline and Depression: What Users Say (Page 5)

• jek...
• January 30, 2016

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I started Champix for 8 days, nil nausea, however, I became very depressed, irritable, repetitive negative thoughts, sedation, and unable to focus, so I'm sorry, but I won't be trying it again. Willpower will have to be my weapon."

• Bek...
• October 13, 2016

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I had a very negative experience on Champix. 5 days in and I've thrown away the packet. Day 1 I was nauseous and vomiting and had terrifying nightmares, dry mouth, hot sweats. Day 2 My mood changed, I felt like I was in a trance/had been sedated. Still having terrifying nightmares. Day 3, 4, 5 Sent home from work, feeling severely depressed and exhausted, can't function. I'm so upset that Champix affected me like this. I've read so many great reviews, but it just wasn't for me. I could have dealt with all the side effects if I didn't work full time. But even customers were picking up on my 'zombie' like state. Best of luck to everyone else trying to give up! I'm going to have to try good old-fashioned willpower!"

• T H...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2012

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "During the first week of taking Chantix, I smoked. I did not notice any decrease in my desire to smoke but noticed a significant increase in my tiredness. The beginning of the second week of Chantix, I quit smoking altogether. The tiredness was still there, and after taking the pill, I would have nausea for a short time. It didn't matter if I had just eaten or not. I also became moody, depressed, short-tempered, and just generally felt down. I stopped taking the pill today, which has been 2 1/2 weeks on the pill. I'm hoping for no worsening of my mood and energy level."

• col...
• December 20, 2011

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I took this medicine for 3 weeks and I became a completely different person. I got really depressed, very moody, bad headache, vivid dreams, body was achy, nausea, and throwing up. I stopped taking it after my 3rd day of not getting out of bed because I was so depressed and nauseated. I have quit smoking before and the depression and moodiness I felt from this medicine is NOT normal nicotine withdrawal, it is definitely side effects from the medicine. On the medicine, it took me all I had just to do one load of laundry. I am quitting cold turkey now."

• jan...
• September 18, 2007

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I have smoked for 20 plus years. I've been on Chantix for one month now. In the beginning of taking this pill, I would feel almost like I had the flu, and lost a couple pounds the first few days, and I also did smoke about 3 cigarettes a day. I have experienced severe stomach aches, and severe lower back aches, nausea, depression, and weight gain. I am now breaking out in hives and started to take one pill a day. I will call my doctor about these side effects."

• Anonymous
• November 18, 2009

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I think people look for a reason to complain! If you are feeling depressed or suicidal, quit taking the drug! It has worked great for me. I have smoked for 10 years...the smell and the thought of cigarettes make me sick now. I am on day 11...so doing good!"

• Whi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2017

For Smoking Cessation "I never believed I could stop smoking. I had acupuncture, laser therapy, and hypnotherapy. I didn't manage to stay stopped. The patches irritated my skin. I then tried Champix and gradually greatly cut down the habit without thinking about it. I felt nauseous sometimes but felt it was worth it. I got a bit depressed after about 3 weeks, but this happened at the same point no matter which method I tried, so I don't think the Champix caused it. I think the loss of a 45-year habit would be more likely to cause low mood. I'm now 4 years nicotine-free and could not have achieved it without Champix. It's not for everyone, but in my opinion, it is the easiest method. The only willpower required was to take the tablets and not to buy cigarettes. Money is great."

• Anonymous
• November 8, 2009

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I have been taking Chantix for 4 days now, and it works great for quitting smoking, but the side effects are harsh. I get so sick on it, and also I get so angry for no reason. I am yelling at everyone. I have also been having problems with depression. If you have any of these problems, then you should see your doctor."

• jax...
• May 1, 2010

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I read several reviews about this drug and was scared to take it! I experienced severe depression in my teens (who didn't) and have been known to pack on the pounds when I had tried to quit smoking before. After exhausting all other avenues, I gave in and asked the doctor for a Chantix prescription, which he backed with my normal phentermine script so I wouldn't gain much weight. So I just finished week 3, I haven't even touched a smoke in a week, which I lost the desire for by day 5. However, stupidly, I kept smoking because of social reasons until week 2. Nausea is the worst of the side effects, but I would still be smoking if it wasn't for that nausea. Lost 6 pounds and feel awesome. Try this, it's amazing!"

• bif...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2012

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Try it. If you get depressed, sad, etc., then stop taking it. It is so worth it. Life is so much more free and easy. I am now pregnant (quit before we started trying) and can't imagine now having to quit without Chantix. It's the crutch you need, and it gets easier with each day and week that passes."

• bif...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2012

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Try it. If you get depressed, sad, etc., then stop taking it. It is so worth it. Life is so much more free and easy. I am now pregnant (quit before we started trying) and can't imagine now having to quit without Chantix. It's the crutch you need, and it gets easier with each day and week that passes."

• 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."

• gja...
• April 24, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "I had had Champix a few years ago with no side effects, and I still had trouble quitting smoking by the time the course had finished. This time I had Champix, by day 3, I was smoking less than half of what I would normally do, but was having serious side effects. I had a few serious panic attacks (which lasted 4 hours each), was depressed, suicidal, hypersensitive, irritable, and was ready to kill someone (anyone). I also had dizzy spells and felt very cold. Obviously, upon presentation to my doctor, I was advised to cease continuation on this medication. I have no history of mental illness, do not take drugs or drink alcohol. However, Champix does not agree with me this time, so I will try another way to quit. Please be careful, good luck to you!"

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

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "This is in regards to my own experience with this drug. Straight to the point, this has been an absolutely awful experience for me. From awful side effects (sickness mostly, vomiting) to strange behavior patterns and depression. I experienced all those things in the first week and had to quit. I was still smoking the same as before it, but I do understand that I may have not given it a fair chance, having only gone one week on it. So I cannot say whether it's effective for smoking cessation or not, but for me, it wasn't worth it anyway. The side effects were too intense to manage and only getting worse. I would feel flu-like symptoms a couple of hours after taking it and throughout the rest of the day. The first hour or so is the worst."

• Cra...
• July 4, 2011

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "My doctor warned me about depression and other side effects. I have had no depression and very mild nausea. The dreams are more vivid or out there, but kind of funny. I noticed a difference three days into my treatment and continue to reduce daily. Been smoking for 25 years and have tried many other options, including other medicines. Chantix is definitely working for me, and I am looking forward to quitting."

• Anonymous
• November 3, 2011

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I have stopped smoking as of 8/11/2011 while taking Chantix. Before that date, I smoked a pack a day for 37 years. Honestly, I enjoyed smoking and would not have quit until I was diagnosed with the beginning stage of emphysema (COPD). At first, everything was going fine while taking Chantix. It helped to ease my cravings, although I still wanted to smoke at times. When the cravings would creep up, I would just take my pill and the craving would greatly decrease. During the two months of taking this medicine, I noticed that while it eased my cravings, I began to experience bouts of depression. I mean severe depression."

• Anonymous
• February 25, 2011

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I have been taking Chantix for nearly 3 weeks. I have almost all of the symptoms mentioned by other users and was really surprised to hear people talk about lower back pain, which I have as well and did not realize it could be from the medicine. While the nausea is subsiding, I too am angry and agitated most of the time. I also am experiencing episodes of severe depression. I suffered a major heart attack last October and was a two-pack-a-day smoker. I was having success using an E-cigarette, but when I had problems with them, I returned to smoking. I am still smoking after with the Chantix but hope I will be able to stop soon."

• bub...
• February 27, 2008

For Smoking Cessation "I am on my 4th day on Chantix. My doc put me on .5 mg twice a day right away. Then to take it for a week and on the 7th day go up to 1 mg twice a day and then quit. The first day I felt really strange. Now, I have been having terrible insomnia, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and depression-or just don't feel like doing a thing. My dreams have been so cool. But I always have cool dreams. But I can feel my urge to smoke going bye-bye. We'll see how it goes."

• Anonymous
• December 24, 2008

"I am a heavy smoker and will always consider myself a smoker due to my love for smoking. I started taking CHANTIX one week prior to having a hysterectomy. I experienced vivid dreams, depression, very lethargic, my sense of smell is really weird (everything stinks), and I had severe mood swings. Not sure what to blame on the missing ovaries or the medicine. I gave up smoking 6 weeks after starting the medicine, and my 'wonderful' cigarettes taste terrible. My kids are happy because I have quit smoking. I have more money since the Chantix has seemed to curb my taste for alcohol as well. I would recommend this to strong-minded people."

• van...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "Been smoking for around 25 years, similar to most, I tried everything with no success, and this is my last resort. I'm on day 11. 1st day weird dream (1x 0.5 mg), the sleepless weird dream nights get better over time until I start taking the 1 mg. I felt like vomiting with or without smoking. Even coffee tasted funny. Up until now, I'm still smoking, but it has been reduced significantly, from around 20/day to 10/day. Been feeling really down, but knowing it comes from the pill really helps. The 'depression' is at its worst right after you take the med, so I told my wife to stay away for at least an hour or so after taking it. She, being the number one supporter of me quitting smoking, totally understands all the side effects that come with the pill."

• Mim...
• November 5, 2017

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "First of all, all of those people who quit will be back to smoking really soon. And if it says they are smoke-free for years, it is probably a bought comment by Pfizer. Trust me. I did quit as well three times, but it is not permanent. The side effects last even months after you take the pill. The last time I quit with it, I had a neurological breakdown, I could not control my body, I was having a non-fatal stroke and even a heart attack. I could not talk, had to be taken to the emergency. My eyes were rolling up, I could not control my limbs, could not talk, my mouth would not move to talk. It was horrible. Months later, I am back to smoking, and now I am scared to take the pill. The depression was horrific, and the same with the dreams. I do not recommend."

• Jua...
• January 3, 2008

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "The FDA is investigating a link between Chantix and suicidal tendencies. Talk with your doctor if you feel depressed!"

• AAA...
• September 5, 2007

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Many people are talking about depression, psychotic rage, blackouts, and severe nightmares while taking this drug."

• Jul...
• October 6, 2019

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Month 2. Has not helped at all! Weird dreams, depression, and food doesn't taste the same. I'm going to discontinue and try something else."

• 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."