Varenicline and Irritability: What Users Say

• Qan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "Took Chantix for less than 2 weeks before quitting cigarettes. Just finished my first week of no cigarettes and NO medication. I was very ready to quit when I started Chantix. Still craving but keep reminding myself of how far I've come and how I really don't enjoy smoking. I'm just bored. Find something to do - it helps. First day of no cigs or meds, I made it all the way to the store for a pack and by the time I got there, didn't want a cig. Side effects were irritability, sleepiness, and definitely weird dreams. Just kept telling myself the sooner I stop smoking, the sooner I can stop taking the meds."

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 20, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "After 45 years of smoking a pack a day, plus I decided to try Champix. This is my first serious attempt to quit smoking. I continued smoking during weeks one to five, however, the number of cigarettes I smoked tapered off drastically. I am now in week seven and am eighteen days smoke-free. I will be honest, it is a battle for me since I enjoy my cigarettes. I've almost given up a few times due to cravings and the fact that I am cranky as heck. (I'm chalking the crankiness up to the lack of nicotine in my system.) But I haven't caved in yet, nor do I plan to. As for the 'side effects' - my dreams are vivid but interesting. I take this medication with food and the recommended full glass of water, so I do not feel any nausea. The cravings, well, there's bound to be some. Make sure to have lots of gum or mints on hand! Honestly though, I would recommend Champix to anyone who wants to quit smoking."

• Wan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "I will be starting my 3rd month of Chantix in a few days. I’ve smoked a pack a day for 35 years. I’ve been diagnosed with stage 2 COPD. I’m down now to 5-6 cigarettes a day. I will smoke my very last cigarette tonight. However, the side effects as far as nausea have been very hard to tolerate. But I’ve learned from my doctor that I can take Zantac, and it works really well with the stomach upset. My dreams can be really vivid. I have some depression. I do find myself more tired and irritable, eating more and experiencing weight gain. The medication works, but you have to let it do its job, and you have to work with it. I’m stubborn, and I like smoking. I decided to try Chantix because I first read the reviews in here, and you all were my inspiration. I thank you for that, and I hope my quit date tomorrow, 12/20, is successful so that on Christmas, I may have the first few days of the rest of my life smoke-free to report to my kids. Thanks for listening, and thanks for your help."

• Sea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "Okay, so I've decided to share my experience. I have been on Chantix now for the start of day 4. It is irritating, I have been smoking, but I'm not getting the effect I normally would. The smoke feels different, tastes different, and I'm starting to feel like they are a waste of time or that I just don't want one once I start one."

• Chu...
• September 7, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I started Champix just over 8 weeks ago (been on them before but ended up back smoking as I stopped taking them too early!) I smoked 20 a day for 10+ years. By day 8, I had no craving at all and haven’t smoked since. These tablets really do work, but obviously do come with certain side effects?! I have found it’s an absolute definite to take them just after eating (at least 2 pieces of toast or so for AM and a proper meal for PM.) The nausea is horrific if you take them on an empty stomach, as I found on my first attempt with Champix. I have also been suffering with really bizarre nightmares/dreams? Quite cranky and easily irritated - suppose it’s expected though? This time around, I have struggled getting out of bed in the morning, but I don't struggle going to sleep - if anything, I could sleep longer (normally have a good 8-9 hours a night??) Feel a bit flat some days and no motivation or energy. Definitely think they are worth a go though - Good luck!!!!"

• Anonymous
• January 24, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "I've been a smoker for over 10 years now and also a heavy drinker (borderline alcoholic). I've tried every way possible to quit with no success until Chantix. It's only been a week, but I have zero interest in smoking. I have had a few side effects: I'm extremely nauseous if I don't eat beforehand, weird dreams, slight irritability/anxiety, constipation, and a good amount of loss of concentration (forgetting to complete simple daily tasks at work). However, I feel overall great, the withdrawal is so minimal, the thought of smoking makes me sick, and a plus is I have zero interest in drinking either! One BIG suggestion is this medication really, really works wonders, but you have to want it and make the change."

• Del...
• November 5, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "Started this medicine about 6 weeks ago. I stopped smoking on day 14. I just woke up that morning and thought, “No, I’m not smoking today,” and here I am 27 days later smoke-free. Cannot believe it, TBH. My sense of smell and taste is still amazing me. From the 3rd day off cigs, I could smell everything: people's perfume, their sweat, aromas, detergents, etc., it is mad. Usual side effects: nausea and feeling faint when taking meds. However, when taken on a full stomach, I’m fine. Definitely increased appetite. I’m usually slim, toned, gym fit. I’ve stopped the gym and eating lots of garbage. Going to sort that out this week. I'm not fond of meds, but they definitely work. I don’t think my mood is low, but friends say I’m a bit irritable. I notice words don’t come to me quickly, which is a side effect. Nothing major, though. Sooo happy I am not smoking. Saving a fortune and feel really clean. Be cautious if you have any mental illness. Oh, be prepared for the vivid, weird dreams."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "At 31 years of age and a smoker since I was 13, I didn't think there was hope for me. The habit slowly caught up to me, and I found myself a pack-a-day smoker for over the last 10 years. Smoking when I was happy, sad, or angry, it was a constant companion for so long, and I honestly thought I'd die of COPD on oxygen, begging for that last smoke. Chantix truly changed all of that. It completely eliminated the physical craving, leaving the rest up to me. How bad do I want it? I'm over a week deep. This is the longest I've gone in 17 years without a smoke. I owe my life to Chantix. I had some initial nausea and wild dreams, irritable...but I'm smoke-free. I can beat this. YOU can beat this. Good luck!"

• Ren...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "I had tried cold turkey several times. I was able to quit, but the desire to smoke never left. Was never willing to try the patch or the gum. The science behind Chantix made sense to me, so I tried it. I can easily say it was a miracle. I was on Chantix for two weeks, considerably less than the max time (12 weeks), but that was enough. It did make me mildly irritable and in a bit of a funky fog, but neither homicidal nor suicidal. But after two weeks, I decided it was enough. And I never had a craving after I quit. Never. The link between my brain and the nicotine was severed completely, and the habit went with it. It's been 10 years. :)"

• Ema...
• December 13, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "Please be careful with Chantix. I could tell it was starting to work within the 1st week but also noticed increased irritability and nausea as side effects. To me, that was something I could deal with. Moving on... I started my second week, and I felt a very deep depression setting in. I had feelings of anger towards my children. I also felt very sad for no reason. I couldn’t get anything done at work. I was irritated by everyone’s presence. The depression while on this medication hit me fast and hard! I have 2 small children, and I am their protector, I cannot risk losing my mind! I started losing my ability to be an adequate and involved parent. I didn’t enjoy anything anymore. For the safety of myself and my children, I have discontinued taking Chantix. I’ve read reviews of people having long-term effects on their brain chemistry after taking Chantix, and that’s not something I’m willing to toy with. I will have to use my own willpower to quit."

• Don...
• July 20, 2017

For Smoking Cessation "I read the reviews on Champix and thought maybe my experience may be helpful to someone. I stopped smoking for 2 months cold turkey and experienced nearly every side effect listed by people as being caused by Champix. Could these be possibly caused by nicotine withdrawal? And not the drug? Cold turkey, I suffered anxiety, low mood, felt like time was standing still, difficulty concentrating, headaches, irritability, insomnia, vivid dreams that actually seemed real, restless legs, gastric disturbances, and tingling of my hands and feet and cravings. I found lots of water and making myself exercise helped. Starting Champix today and nicotine patches as recommended by my Dr."

• Anonymous
• August 26, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "Be careful with this drug, it changed my mood. I was feeling depressed and angry most of the time. My taste changed, which caused frustration. Even after stopping the drug, my taste has not yet returned to normal. The drug reduced the amount of smokes I was having, however, after 4 weeks, it increased again. Eating increased, this was largely because I wanted the nasty chemical taste in my mouth gone. I also experienced heavy breathing. I think there is a lot to take into consideration before using this drug."

• tle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "I'm 31 years old - female. Been smoking 16 years, about a pack a day. I'm still smoking and just started my 3rd week on Chantix, however, I feel I do NOT need cigarettes anymore. Yesterday I smoked 1 cigarette and didn't enjoy any of it. I find myself only smoking still so that I find it more disgusting and no longer will want it (in the future). I have 4 cigarettes left in the pack and will NOT be buying any more. I don't think about running outside every 30 minutes to an hour. And when I do think about having one, I actually get turned off and end up forgetting about it. When I started Chantix, I wasn't totally ready to quit, but I'm there now. Side effects hit me about 2 weeks into it - mild constipation, quick to be irritable (but doesn't last), headaches (pain relievers help)."

• GRE...
• January 17, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "I smoked for 43 years, I got up to a pack and a half to two packs a day. I started taking Chantix on December 18th, 2015, my quit date was December 26th. I took about three draws off of a cigarette about a week after my quit day, and it tasted horrible and made me sick. The only side effect that I had was agitation, I only was agitated when driving and with one co-worker. I stopped taking Chantix after 30 days due to the agitation. I haven't smoked in 22 days, I continue to get the urge to smoke, but it passes after a few minutes. Grateful..."

• pin...
• June 17, 2007

For Smoking Cessation "My husband has been taking the Chantix trying to quit, and I came here because he has been experiencing depression, irritability, and lethargy. He has seemed more punchy about needing to eat (maybe the hunger?). I thought maybe the medication could be causing the depression, but that wasn't listed as a symptom."

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

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."

• Joj...
• October 4, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I just want to say I have quit smoking now for 1 1/2 years. I would never go back to smoking again. After I finished taking Champix at 6 months smoke-free, I started to feel agitated and depressed, I was not myself at all. I felt like I was going nuts. I went to the doctor, and she put me on a mild antidepressant for 3 months. She suggested this because she said I might still be having withdrawals from smoking. If she hadn't put me on those antidepressants, I think I would have started smoking again. Now I'm smoke-free and drug-free and feel great."

• Ka2...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 10, 2021

For Smoking Cessation "I started taking Chantix on 11/14/21. I wanted to smoke less right away, and from the end of week 1 to about week 2 and 1/2, I was smoking 1-3 cigs a day. I was a pack-a-day smoker for about 20 years. I haven’t had a smoke since 11/30. I have had moments of strong cravings, but it feels more like it’s not that I want to smoke, it’s that I don’t know what to do with myself sometimes. Hoping that feeling goes away with time. It’s mostly been manageable…some mood swings, anxiousness, irritability, fatigue. I take it with food, so haven’t had any stomach issues. And the dreams. Holy crap, they are vivid and weird. I actually look forward to them! I still have some doubts here and there that I can stay smoke-free, so I’m gonna stay on for probably at least another month and hope to feel stronger. I don’t think I would have gotten this far without the help of Chantix."

• sli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "I don't feel the need to smoke but feel withdrawals from the lack of cigarettes. A bit irritable, no bad dreams or anything like that. I am on my 11th day, and for the last 2 days, I have had 3 cigarettes total. Sometimes I feel an urge to do something or like there is something I have to do. I feel a bit confused at times. I have not taken my second dose of the day. I only take the second dose if I felt the urge to smoke, which now I don't feel."

• tak...
• May 2, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "Second time on Chantix after 3 years smoke-free. This drug is literally a life saver, completely makes smoking seem disgusting after a few days. Cravings disappear, and when you think you're gonna enjoy one of your last... you put it out in mortification, due to the gross smell and horrid taste. The nausea is a killer, along with an overall unpleasant feeling and crankiness that lasts the duration of Chantix use. The dreams are super vivid, borderline nightmares, but bearable. If these short-term effects are what I have to endure for deciding to pick up a nasty habit for the second time!!! So be it. Living to make sure there's a lighter in the car... is not living. And it only takes me the starter pack to quit - 2 pack-a-week smoker."

• ell...
• November 17, 2013

For Smoking Cessation "Was on Chantix for about two weeks. I did not take the PM dose, or I would never sleep. I did slow down and almost stopped within that time, but found I was irritable, cranky, and VERY depressed. The side effects were mostly emotional. I had to stop taking Chantix. When you wake up in the morning feeling like it was the night before and the 'sun' is not shining = entering deep depression, it is time to quit the medication."

• Wil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2013

For Smoking Cessation "It really works! I smoked or dipped daily for the past twenty years. I was on Chantix for six weeks and have been nicotine-free for five weeks. Crazy dreams and very irritable, so decided to stop Chantix. It does its job!"

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

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."

• Cou...
• May 31, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "I have been a smoker for 10 years. I am at the end of my 4th week on Chantix and have been nicotine-free for 6 days! I still have the urge to smoke when I initially get in my car to go somewhere or after I eat, but the craving subsides surprisingly easily and rather quickly. I take one tablet in the morning and at night (be sure to eat and let your food settle before you take the morning dose to prevent the nausea!). I do feel more tired than usual and cranky during week 2, but not unmanageable. I've been having vivid dreams, but good ones! I'm dreaming in color and wanting to go back to sleep to find out what happens next! I've tried everything before Chantix. I haven't had any depression episodes, though it is a known side effect. No medicine is a one size fits all, so if you do take it or don't, understand that the reactions aren't the same for everyone. I would suggest if you try it to take it exactly as prescribed and visit your doctor regularly to monitor how it affects you."

• Kyl...
• April 26, 2017

For Smoking Cessation "I have been taking this for 3 days now. It has been helping me cut back tremendously. On a side note, it has made me feel irritable during the day, and I have had crazy dreams during the night. Nothing I can't deal with, so I am going to continue taking it."