Varenicline and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 3)

• H92...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2013

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I'm on Day 8 of Chantix. I have smoked for twenty years and tried several other methods without success. My best friend is also taking it at the same time. The dreams are vivid. I'm very tired. I've also had headaches, which are not typical for me. I'm light sensitive and so dizzy that I feel unsafe driving or working at times. However, I've continued to take one pill a day instead of the two. I'm now on 1 mg. I have noticed less cravings. I'm so miserable that I'm gonna stop smoking just so I can quit this medication. Oh, and I forget, depressed. Wish you all luck!"

• Sea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2024

For Smoking Cessation "After about a month on the drug, I started experiencing extremely painful headaches. Not sure if it is caused by the drug or not. I stopped taking it, and we'll see if the headaches go away in a few days."

• Can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2016

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "My husband and I are on day 7, and it's the first day I've not had a cigarette. By day 3, I was already down to only 3 a day (first thing, after lunch, and after tea), and doing it together has definitely helped. Like other stories on here (and doctors' warnings), we have both had extreme nausea, headaches, nightmares, and an inability to sleep all night. But you know what? If it means I won't be smoking again, I can put up with those for the short term. After 20 years of smoking, it finally took a doctor's warning due to mild emphysema to get me to quit. For others out there, don't let it get that far. We didn't pick a quit date, we just went with the flow and let our body tell us when we had had enough. When I try to smoke now, it just makes me feel sick."

• Rig...
• April 16, 2016

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "So the good, bad, and ugly! The ugly: it gave me a horrible headache the first day. The bad: it gave me nausea one day to the point I couldn't get out of bed. The good: after the 8th day, I stopped smoking. I told myself I would quit April 15th, which I thought was just a dream."

• ROX...
• March 2, 2021

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "If you are reading this, then firstly, well done! You are either considering stopping smoking or have started Champix. I have just completed 6 weeks on Champix. I was a smoker for ±15 years, and then after taking Champix, quit and started Twisping (electronic cigarette). After 8 years of Twisping, I decided to go back on Champix. It worked. I had the worst dreams for 6 weeks, including constant nausea, headaches, mood swings, and just feeling really ill. All I can say is that you need to just take each day at a time. Do not give up. If you feel depressed, anxious, or suicidal, you need to speak to your doctor or a loved one. You can also read up on the internet as to how to manage your depression. I did have severe anxiety and fits of rage on maybe 3 occasions. My loved ones were informed about the side effects I was experiencing and were understanding. These forums helped me on my Champix journey as I did not feel like all the horrible symptoms I had were just me."

• Sin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 14, 2015

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Quit in a month. Side effects include strange dreams every night and a massive headache. Cut down to 1 pill a day due to a massive headache after 3 weeks. Stop taking the pill and stop smoking on the same day."

• cat...
• September 28, 2007

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I started taking Chantix after smoking for 15 years. I am halfway into week two. I have quit smoking completely, however, the side effects are awful. Headaches, tiredness, irritability, crazy dreams that seem real, sensations throughout my whole body, dry mouth, dizziness, constant feeling of hunger."

• Anonymous
• April 29, 2009

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I took Chantix for 5 weeks about a year ago. I loved it at first; it helped so much with the cravings. I had to stop taking it due to the debilitating headaches it caused. The real problem is the headaches didn't stop when I stopped the Chantix. I'm still seeing a neurologist for daily headaches that present with both migraine and tension symptoms. I'm sure I'm in the minority, but it was most definitely not worth it."

• Lmc...
• November 10, 2014

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Chantix was terrible for me. Made me so nauseous I could not get out of bed. For me, it gave me headaches and made me feel 'hungover' all day long. Also, I could not sleep more than 2 hours a night. Now, it did make me not want to smoke, but I can't be under those conditions all day, every day. So, after 9 days, I'm stopping."

• jsj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2018

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I've been on Champix since November 6, 2016, and not had a cigarette since the beginning of December-not a full one either, as I had to put it out halfway due to the awful taste and felt sick. Yes, they are fantastic at stopping you from smoking, which I did for 37 years on and off, as nothing worked as well as these do. But the sickness, headaches, itchy eyes, and skin, and sleepless nights are really a big problem for me and have been since Day 1. I have asked my nurse if I can reduce my dose from 1 mg twice daily to 0.5 mg twice daily due to the side effects, but she wants me to persevere a few weeks longer. I also have raised blood sugars, being diabetic, and although struggling with the Champix severely, I have cut down to 1 mg once daily, and it's worked."

• fib...
• September 28, 2007

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I have been on Chantix for a while now. I only do 1 full pill per day (instead of the 2 per day), but back in July I started getting headaches-continuous, plus absent-minded. I didn't think anything of it until I started investigating here. I've seen several doctors and am now on several medications. Dreams, nausea, urinating in the middle of the night- all okay, constant headache for 2 months-not okay. Desire to smoke is gone. Chantix worked for what I needed."

• 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."

• Mrs...
• January 21, 2016

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I am 52 and have smoked since I was 16. I gave up with patches 7 years ago for 3 years. Then started again. I have tried patches again and hypnosis, but nothing worked, so I tried Champix. A couple of people at work had tried and failed with it last year, but one lady I know tried it 4 years ago and is still not smoking. I have taken 14 tablets now and not smoked for 3 days, which is amazing for me! But the side effects have been (and have now stopped) horrible. I spent all weekend in bed under the quilt feeling sick, giddy, and spaced out. I have been constipated for two weeks (okay now), headaches. Tired. Can't drink wine or coffee! (Not really a bad thing!) But I am loving the dreams! It's working, so it's worth it!"

• Sum...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2019

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Chantix states in its TV advertising that it reduces the urge to smoke. Not the case for me. It certainly reduced the reward of smoking by causing cigarettes to taste foul, with mild to moderate nausea and a mild headache. But it did not reduce the urge. I feel this is false advertising. I was not looking for the smoking version of Antabuse."

• Anonymous
• April 18, 2009

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Chantix. Wow, what can I say but wonderful. This is my 25th day, and I have been smoke-free for 21 days. Before Chantix, I would never have thought I could quit. The only side effects I have experienced: dry mouth, constipation, slight headaches, and nausea. But the nausea is easily taken care of if you take the medication as directed. As soon as I started drinking the full 8 oz. of water, the nausea was just mild for 20 minutes. I've heard many say they stopped taking Chantix because it made them sick. A few weeks of mild side effects is nothing compared to a bad habit we all want to break! I have read much about trying to get Chantix off the market, I feel that would be a BIG mistake. This drug works, and it works quickly."

• Fat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2012

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I've been smoking a pack a day for 15 years and been trying to quit since my first child was born 10 years ago, but it never happened. I started taking Chantix on August 16, 2012, through a smoke cessation class and continued to smoke until my 9th day, which is August 25, 2012. Ever since, I'm smoke-free for almost over a month now. Chantix gave me a second life. My experience while on Chantix includes headaches in the first week, difficulty concentrating, a little bit of emotional irritability, having vivid dreams, and peeing in the middle of the night, but after the first week, you should be able to cope with the side effects. I highly recommend it, though. I stopped taking it after 50 days; I felt that I no longer needed it. I've been smoke-free ever since."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2015

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "My 11 y/o son requested me to stop smoking. Cold turkey and other alternatives are so hard to do until I asked my PCP for some help. She prescribed me Chantix since my husband's insurance covers it 100%. I took it for a month and finally was able to stop because cravings/urges are gone. The only side effect I've experienced is a severe headache, so my PCP advised me to take 1/2 dosage since I am small and petite, and it works. Smoke-free for 10 months already. Thanks, Chantix!"

• itz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2016

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I started taking Champix without any motivation. I was facing side effects like constipation, gas, dry mouth, unusual dreams, and headache, but I did not stop taking the tablet. On the 4th day, I smoked a cigarette, and just after that, I got a headache. I smoked a couple more, and the headache was unbearable. I took painkillers twice. That was the day when I started to hate smoking from the inside. Tomorrow, it will be the last day of my 2nd week. I am taking Champix half an hour before sleeping and after breakfast. So far, I did not have any sleeping problems. During the second week, only two side effects I am facing: unusual dreams every night. I urinate almost double than I used to. In between, I do a little bit of exercise and try to eat a lot. Thank you, Champix."

• Rit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2024

For Smoking Cessation "Just started 2 days ago, and I’ve already had a substantial decrease in cravings. After taking the first dose, I did get a slight headache. I’m very hopeful that this medication will finally help me to be a non-smoker!"

• Lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2018

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Exceptionally effective against nicotine craving, however, it comes with severe side effects. Being only 56 kg, I should not have been advised to take the full dosage. Headaches are severe, nausea also unless you drink milk and eat before taking. I also had severe sleep paralysis (never had this before), and there is a withdrawal period during which I was constantly hungry and feeling mellow. It's fantastic by way of quitting, I went from 80 cigarettes a day equivalent in vaping to nothing with ease, but at a cost. I would definitely take it again though."

• Nic...
• September 21, 2007

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Started taking Chantix after smoking for 22 years... 38 now, and I have been on it for approximately 1 month. Drastically cut down on smoking during the first 7 days and have not had a cigarette or even a drag for the last 2+ weeks. The side effects that I have had are headaches over the left eye (almost like the onset of a migraine), a slight bit of nausea, which was cured from eating a decent meal before I ate, a little tired, extreme irritability, and weird dreams. No more smoking though."

• amb...
• November 6, 2007

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I am on my third week, and I have cut down to approx. 3 to 4 cigs a day. I noticed that I feel tired a lot and feel nausea only when I smoke and a slight headache, but it doesn't last long at all. I've had one nightmare and have had loss of appetite and weight loss. Also, I notice that it intensifies the effects of alcohol."

• Sha...
• February 12, 2017

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I was on Champix for my 19th day when I decided tomorrow would finally be the day I'll stop!! Hid anything that would remind me.. ashtrays, papers, filters, lighters... Difficult when your house is a halfway house for your son's homeless mates, all smokers!! (At least they can't hit me up ATM!!) Anyway, that brings me to 4 days of not smoking. About to go to bed, tomorrow will be my fifth.. I've never had any serious issues with Champix!! I've tried and given up twice before, things have just happened... I have always had the nightmares, which I love!! This time around, (I always eat with them) hours after taking it, I'll suddenly get a massive headache and full-on nausea, out of nowhere, at the exact same time!!"

• Anonymous
• February 29, 2012

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Best thing I've ever done. I'm 47 yrs. old and smoked for 32 yrs. This medicine did exactly what I thought it would. 1st week smoked as usual. 2nd week I started noticing a decrease in the amount of cigarettes I was smoking, and I wasn't even trying. At the end of the 2nd week, I didn't even want one, so I stopped completely on the 14th day, and it's been 1 month exactly without a single cigarette. Some side effects were great dreams, slight headache once in a while, and waking up 2-3 times during the night. Started taking Benadryl at night and slept great. Would I recommend this medicine? YES!"

• Anonymous
• February 25, 2012

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "39, been smoking since 13. Day 3 of Chantix, not really watching my cigarette intake, but have noticed I've been smoking the same pack for 3 days. No nausea, have had a headache that comes and goes, and sleeping a lot, like can't hardly stay awake. Dreamed last night I chased a high school teacher that accused me of something I didn't do all over the country, throwing water balloons at her, and woke up laughing my head off."