Varenicline and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ath...
• February 10, 2008

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I used Chantix for 2 weeks and had to stop taking it. I was having very bad headaches, bad vivid dreams, anxiety, and I was extremely moody. My poor husband would just look at me, and I would get mad at him. It got so bad I was yelling at the kids for no reason, and I honestly believe that if I continued taking Chantix, I would be divorced today or worse. I was NOT myself on that medicine, so I stopped. It did, however, stop any craving for nicotine."

• Lou...
• March 7, 2019

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Currently at the end of day 9 and 22.5 hours since the last cigarette. At the end of day 3, got a severe headache that lasted approximately 36 hours. Dreamt a bit more than normal, but nothing much. Dry mouth all the time. On day 1, cigarette had a metallic taste. By day 5, had gone from an average of 15 a day to 4-5. This morning, on the 2nd day of full dosage, woke up with a nauseous/full feeling. No appetite loss, but kind of strange. Also noticed today, my eyes felt extremely tired but not actually tired. Not wanted a cigarette today, but does feel strange not having one. More the habit than need. Very surreal experience. Was dubious as to whether it would actually work, but so far, so good. If you want to quit, you have to give it a go!!!"

• Scr...
• February 1, 2017

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Smoked for 45 years, tried everything out there, including hypnotism, nothing worked. Tried Champix November 15, 2016, some weird dreams the first week, a bit of nausea, and also a headache now and then. Happy to say I have not smoked after setting a date. Within two weeks of starting the pills, I slowly reduced to 2 or 3 cigarettes per day, then quit. Took 2 x 0.5 mg pills per day for the month of December, then stopped. All good so far, still, once in a while, I get an urge, but one thing I read or heard that I find helps get through the urge is that the need for a smoke lasts about 3 minutes on average. So I find something to do. Now, February 1st, smoke and Champix free. Good luck."

• ali...
• January 11, 2008

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I have not smoked in 4 months, and I owe it all to Chantix. I had shortness of breath, severe headaches, felt very lethargic, absent-minded, and depressed. I ended up in the emergency room. I am fine now, but I have not taken it for 2 months. And the best is I am a non-smoker! They say it will take a few months before I feel myself again. I have no desire to smoke."

• ESa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2019

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I started Chantix four weeks ago, and I have completely stopped smoking after 15 years. This is a great product! I slowly dwindled down on the amount I smoked per day until my body just didn't want a cigarette anymore. The only side effect I had was headaches in the beginning. I'm on an antidepressant as well. I feel great and am so thankful for this medication. The smell of cigarettes is horrible now! Yay!"

• Mrs...
• May 5, 2015

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Started Champix on April 23rd. By day 5, I did not like the taste of cigarettes, but persevered (you know how we do)..... My husband smoked too, and I hated the smell of his breath. By day 10, I could smell my own breath and have given up on day 12. This is my second day smoke-free, and it is easier than I thought it would be. Of course, there are cravings, but I am managing them. Side effects I've experienced are slight nausea, but it passes quickly, terrible flatulence! And some very vivid dreams, slight headache today, but I think that's the nicotine withdrawal. Definitely worth a go."

• ars...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2016

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "On day 8, decided that I can't take a morning dose, because no matter what, I usually can't keep it down. Initial nausea is fleeting but intense (much more so in the morning), and feeling somewhat nauseous all day. Ginger root pills don't touch this. Also experiencing regular/constant headaches. No problems with vivid or disruptive dreams. I'm going to bed earlier and sleeping like a champion!! BUT as a 20-year smoker, I don't want to quit (but feel like I need to), and Chantix is AMAZING at blocking the desire to smoke. Only a week in, smoking 1/2 as much or less, and solely out of habit. No cravings, cigs no longer taste good to me."

• cwi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 2, 2017

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I started smoking at 19 and moved on to vaping 2 years ago with the occasional cig/pack. Now I'm 24, and I started taking Champix 17 days ago. I stopped vaping/smoking on day 12, and the first 3 days were tough but bearable. I expected work to be the hardest part, but really the worst is in the evening when I would ordinarily be sitting on my couch vaping. Now I have a constant headache whenever I spend a few hours being a lazy ass, which is fine. It can cause your brain to feel a little off. It's not a miracle drug, you're still going to have to quit, but it will help you. I've been 4 days and 2 hours nicotine-free, and I already feel like ceremoniously throwing my vape off a bridge. Also, watch what you eat and get some exercise."

• SPO...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2018

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I have been smoking for 24 years. Had about 20 cigarettes a day. One of my friends recommended Champix as he took it and stopped smoking after day 14. I got the starter pack, and after the first pill I took and smoked a cigarette, it tasted like leaves/wood and smelled worse than before, but I kept on smoking. Had headaches, tummy upset/mood swings for about a week, and had the weirdest dreams ever. That stopped. Day 14 I am smoking less by now. Day 17 still smoking. The smell/taste are getting worse. Day 20 I can only smoke a quarter of a cigarette at a time. I just couldn't smoke a full cigarette. Day 21 got up and had my last cigarette at 0700 h that morning. I stopped smoking on 03 April 2018 and have been smoke-free for 4 weeks. I am on the second month maintenance pack as recommended. Now I have to lose the excess weight I gained. At least I kicked a very bad habit after 24 years."

• Str...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2018

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I've smoked now for 24 years and was up to 1 pack a day for about a year. I started Chantix 1 week ago, and I continued to smoke in decreased amounts. However, on day number 3, every time I smoked, I felt nauseous, very weak, and got a very bad headache regardless of eating before taking it. I'm now on week number 2, and for the first time as of 7-2-18, I've only smoked once! I'm so proud of myself because by now I would've smoked at least 7 cigarettes! I know being smoke-free is attainable for me, but I do get very strong cravings, especially in the morning, but it is much easier in the evenings to fight the cravings. Thus far, the side effects I have experienced are constipation, increased appetite, nausea, tiredness, and vivid dreams, but good ones! So far, I would say Chantix is helping me battle the urge to smoke, and I do see a smoke-free road ahead of me!"

• Att...
• August 26, 2013

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I was smoking for 14 years. I tried every possible way to stop smoking, but nothing worked. Now I'm on day 20 with Champix. I stopped smoking on the 3rd day. I have cravings sometimes, but just for a few seconds. I don't have many side effects, only a headache and sleepy sometimes. I'm really happy about it, and I feel so proud I can do it. Thank you, Champix."

• Smo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2014

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Have smoked for 35 years. Never seriously tried to quit until now. Have been on Champix for 10 weeks and haven't smoked for 7 weeks. Have had an upset stomach, irritability, and headaches. All manageable, except now starting to get sores in my mouth. Am going to finish the week out on 1 pill a day and hope sores don't get worse and I have butt out for good."

• Emm...
• March 12, 2017

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "The pills can make you feel like shit, but you won't want a ciggy! Cravings almost never happen, it's so strange. When I tried to quit on my own, all I thought about was the next smoke. Now I'm like a butterfly! I'm a month in, and I want to stop because today I took a whole pill and I'm feeling like throwing up! And headaches! BUT the smell of cigs does nothing for me. My pharmacist wants me to continue in case I'm just being cocky. I'll start to take half a pill now and see how that goes!"

• Han...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2018

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I'm in two minds about this drug. I'm on my third week and have not had a cigarette for a week now. I smoked around 20 per day and always found it hard to quit. Tried patches, inhalers, gum, etc., in the past but found the cravings really hard. This is actually working, and I'm not wanting a cigarette so much. HOWEVER, I feel awful. I'm extremely tired all the time and have zero energy, which isn't like me. I'm having terrible nightmares and other strange dreams and waking up in sweats. I feel sickly all the time with a metallic taste in my mouth, headaches, and over the last couple of days, I've had severe stomach cramps and terrible wind. Going to the doctor for advice. I do not feel good at all."

• nnn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2017

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I was skeptical. I heard so many good things, and it sounded like a miracle drug. After learning I developed asthma, I got scared enough to take the plunge. It was free with my insurance (bonus!). After taking Chantix for two weeks, I started noticing a disgust for cigarettes. I would try smoking out of habit but would become nauseated. It smelled bad and tasted worse. From there, I pretty much didn't want to smoke anymore and didn't even have many cravings. There were days that I did crave, but I pushed through them easily. I also had two days of off-and-on headaches from, I presume, withdrawal. Now I can say I am two weeks cigarette-free thanks to Chantix, and I love being able to breathe, not to mention the extra money I save."

• hut...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2015

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Week three smoke-free!!! Ok, so I get headaches, feel sick, constipated, crazy dreams, but not enough to not be able to go to work and function. I stopped smoking day 9 - haven't smoked for three weeks and it's fine - I don't even care - this stuff really works!!!!! Just got to deal with side effects :)"

• Anonymous
• November 4, 2008

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I was considered a light smoker, a pack every few days. I had regularly smoked for five years. I didn't think I would ever be able to quit. Chantix worked so well with blocking out the headaches, anxiety, loss of sleep, and all the moodiness that accompanies quitting. I took it for about two weeks total. I actually quit smoking around the 8th day. Pretty painless."

• blr...
• April 24, 2015

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I just started Chantix yesterday morning. As far as symptoms, I had a brief headache when taking it and nausea for about 10 minutes... nothing that wasn't tolerable. I was very hesitant about taking the med because I have heard so many horror stories, but honestly, it isn't that bad so far. I did have pretty vivid dreams last night that were just strange and didn't make much sense, but nothing terrifying. I normally smoked anywhere from slightly over half a pack to a pack per day. Yesterday, I smoked 6 in total, and today so far I have had less than half. I'm already starting to feel some withdrawal symptoms such as sore throat, sore tongue, slight headache, etc. I plan on sticking with this med and will update later in the process."

• jan...
• September 27, 2007

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "This past Sunday, I took my one pill in the evening as usual. Within a few minutes, I had a migraine headache, and my left eye went totally blurry. I've had a few headaches since I went on Chantix, and I haven't had a migraine in many, many years. I have totally quit taking Chantix, and I still am not smoking. My eyesight in my left eye is still somewhat blurry, but not as bad as it was Sunday/Monday. Everyone, please let your doctor know about any side effects you're having on this medicine."

• Ami...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2021

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I was a heavy smoker since 13 years ago, 2 and a half packs a day. I am 31 years old, one day I thought I would never see my 50th birthday, so I decided to quit. At first, I took Zyban for one month, my cigarettes were cut down to 10 a day within the first week, but after a week my body resisted. I continued taking Zyban for one month and nothing changed, so I decided to add Chantix to my regimen. After 2 days of taking Chantix 3 mgs per day, I completely quit! Now it's been 3 days, and I am tobacco-free. The only side effects that I think are from nicotine withdrawal are intense headaches all day long. I just wanted to write this review for those who failed to quit. Try combining drugs, especially for Chantix, some of us may need higher doses to work. There is absolutely no interaction between Zyban and Chantix. This review is mainly for those who couldn't quit using one of the drugs alone. I hope this was helpful."

• ale...
• May 31, 2009

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Smoked for 35 years, quit for a year once and was miserable. Have been taking Zyban/Wellbutrin for depression for 12 years and still smoked. Started Chantix 4/21/09, smoked a few in the first weeks but they made me gag. Still went through a little nicotine withdrawal the first week, but very mild compared to the other times I've quit. Still occasionally think about smoking, but just a habit, not craving. No nausea or nightmares, but an amazing amount of gas, a fair bit of constipation, and a little foggy. But side effects are nothing compared to how bad cigarettes were making me feel. Actually, fewer headaches than before quitting. If I can keep this up after stopping Chantix, it will be the best thing to happen for me in a very, very long time."

• boo...
• February 14, 2008

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Starting 4th week, Sat. Only smoke when I drink alcohol. Even then, don't crave, doing it out of habit. Am going to stop consuming alcohol for a while. It makes me feel weird on the meds anyway. Also, when I smoke, I get a headache and sometimes nausea/dizzy. I am amazed at the lack of withdrawal symptoms. Constipation, some gas, vivid dreams, sleep a lot sometimes. I think that has a lot to do with no more nicotine. Overall, feeling great. Breathing better, more relaxed, will continue the program."

• Jea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2017

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I'm now on week 7 of my Champix. I've stopped for over 5 weeks now. I've felt good up until this week, where I have been agitated, nauseous, and had headaches. I'm going to cut down to one tablet a day, as it's after I take my night tablet that I get these symptoms. I'm thrilled I'm now a non-smoker, and the Champix has definitely helped, but I think a lot is down to cutting out habits and changing your daily routine, which I have done. Good luck to everyone, if I can do it, anyone can."

• Mum...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2022

For Smoking Cessation "I, like others, had smoked for a very long time and needed to try again to quit. After talking with my doctor, I decided to try varenicline. I took the medication (as prescribed) for a total of 12 days. The side effects were so intense I had to stop. Terrible headaches every day, abdominal pains, and bloating. Feeling of general fatigue and lack of focus. It has been two weeks since I stopped the medication. I still do not feel “normal.” I ended up working on quitting smoking without it. If I had known…I never would have touched varenicline."

• got...
• September 18, 2016

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I'm on day 20. And every day has been a struggle. I have noticed a decrease in smoking. From a pack to half a pack. But I'm so over being sick all the time. Even with food, I feel headaches and nausea. No weird dreams, but I am sleepy all the time. I would like to stay on it because the urge is going away, but I also want my life back. With my physically demanding job, I can't be sick all the time. I don't know what to do :("