Varenicline and Irritability: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Nuc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2022

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I used Chantix for 3 weeks and then quit upon realization that this drug was making me depressed and irritable. I found myself dwelling on past events that only made me more depressed. I definitely was not feeling myself. The drug does help with taking the urge for nicotine away, but please be aware of side effects. I can’t imagine taking this drug any longer than the 3 weeks I did. Diarrhea was another side effect. I started feeling like my old self the day after I stopped taking the medication."

• RJS...
• September 24, 2007

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "My husband began Chantix 3 months ago. At first, he only had the physical symptoms of nausea, gas, shortness of breath, insomnia, and active dreaming. He was somewhat lethargic and hungry, eating all the time. However, by the end of the 3rd month, he was extremely irritable, unable to focus on any one task, very negative, somewhat irrational, angry, every day was a bad mood. I would NOT recommend Chantix. I don't really think the Chantix helped him quit. He quit on his own."

• Thr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2017

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Started working really fast. Went from a pack and a half a day to three cigs or less in a week. I was thrilled. Week two, I started getting really weird and vivid dreams. I also woke up one night, after going to sleep completely sober, with a fully prepped microwave burrito next to me that I didn't recall making. I found all this to be amusing, even enjoyable. Week three, I became very withdrawn. My girlfriend said I was becoming irritable, that I was hallucinating. She begged me to get off it, but I was blind to the symptoms she stated. I strongly suspect night terrors born from this drug and hallucinations."

• Bra...
• July 7, 2015

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I started Chantix about 3 weeks ago, and I am now 48 hours without a cigarette. I am very proud I have lasted this long. The problem is I just want to sleep, and I am very easy to snap at people. The cravings are only really bad at night. It works though, been a smoker for 27 years."

• 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."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2024

For Smoking Cessation "I have been smoking for 40 years. I was having trouble breathing and I could not hike anymore. Decided that quitting would be the better option than to stop my 'loves' in life. I wanted to quit yet really didn't. I got the varenicline and took 0.5 mg in the morning and night for the 1st week then increased to 1 mg in the morning and night. I took it for a little over three weeks when I finally put them down for good. It started with normal smoking (I smoked a pack a day) and then without me realizing I cut down significantly. I stayed at about 4 cigs for the 3rd week and then I had 1 cig left, this was the last one, and have not picked up since. Cons: I am super hyper, anxious, irritable, cannot sleep at all, food does not taste good at all. Lots of pent-up energy. BUT I would not have been able to quit without this. Guaranteed I would have failed at it. I gave 7 due to the side effects, but it 100% works and this is from a skeptic's review and someone who does not like Western medicine."

• Ore...
• October 20, 2013

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I tried Chantix 2 years ago. I was 63 and smoked a pack to a pack and a half a day since I was 18. Had quit cold turkey twice for more than 2 years each time, but ended up going back to the cigarettes. No one ever told me there was support, so I just took it as prescribed. During the first week, I had NO ability to cut down, much less quit. I was going through a breakup of a 20-year relationship and did not get suicidal feelings, I got homicidal ones. I am so not a violent person, and wanting to hurt someone was something I had never experienced. I became really agitated and short-tempered. Finally gave up after 2 months (never did manage to totally quit smoking). It took me about 3 months to get back to normal."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2018

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I would like to share my experience of Champix. I am now a mental health nurse who has smoked since I was 13. I want to strongly advise extreme caution against taking this medication. I had a constant taste of pennies in my mouth, I was tired all day and wide awake at night. I felt sick all the time, my vision was blurred, I felt moderate to severely depressed, having strange thoughts, significantly agitated, and hit a real low spot. My stomach was awful, I couldn't stop eating (I put on 2 stone in 3 months), and after 2 attempts on this drug, I didn't stop smoking. I stupidly didn't tell my GP, so I carried on, until one day I snapped, and my mum took me to the walk-in clinic, who told me it was this drug. It took around 3 months to feel myself again, and even though I am still smoking, I wouldn't try this again."

• swi...
• April 24, 2012

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I am a 56-year-old RN, have smoked a total of 30 years with a 15-year break before starting again 5 years ago. I love smoking, so this has been difficult, but due to a strong family history of cancer and COPD, I am going to try and stick with the Chantix regimen. So far, my side effects have included vivid scary dreams, gas and bloating, distractibility/difficulty concentrating, irritability, and a 10 lb weight gain in 2 weeks on the medication. The weight gain bothers me the most, as I have gone up 2 jean sizes in that time period, but quitting smoking highly outweighs the side effects. My goal is to quit by my son's high school graduation, June 10th. Good luck to all who are pursuing this goal!"

• Kri...
• July 3, 2015

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I took Chantix for 2 weeks. The first couple of days were okay, though I felt a little edgy and short-tempered. By the 6th day, I had a bad case of 'no filter.' I said whatever I was thinking, no matter how rude it happened to be (I work at a Hospice House). It just came out. By the 8th day, I didn't feel like I was ready to quit, but I did feel really grumpy and argumentative. It just didn't work for me."

• Kri...
• July 3, 2015

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I took Chantix for 2 weeks. The first couple of days were okay, though I felt a little edgy and short-tempered. By the 6th day, I had a bad case of 'no filter.' I said whatever I was thinking, no matter how rude it happened to be (I work at a Hospice House). It just came out. By the 8th day, I didn't feel like I was ready to quit, but I did feel really grumpy and argumentative. It just didn't work for me."

• 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."

• Jes...
• November 19, 2015

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I started my Chantix on Tuesday, which would lead me to only being on this medication for about 3 days. I am usually smoking about a pack/day. Since I started Chantix, I smoke about five cigarettes a day, and I'm only on day 3! My doctor told me that I would most likely continue to smoke for about two weeks while taking this medication. I'm already feeling the difference. The only side effects I've been dealing with are tiredness, nausea from taking it on an empty stomach, and some agitation."

• Sim...
• October 20, 2016

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I'm up to week 5, and I can't believe how well I'm doing. I was nervous after reading heaps of reviews about the drug, but I talked it over with my GP, and she told me to watch my moods. I was a bit nauseous and grumpy, but only in the first week. I continued to smoke a few days past my 'quit' date, but I realized that Champix isn't a magic pill. You still need willpower and a desire to quit. Using Champix means you need about 1/10th of the willpower you would need cold turkey. I still have cravings, but you just have to push through them."

• psp...
• April 22, 2008

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I have been on Chantix for about two weeks now. I tried to quit on patches and did for three months last year. I have smoked for 10 years, 1 pack a day. I go through bad withdrawals. My face gets numb, and I feel lightheaded, and everything gets on my nerves. I have noticed since I have been on Chantix, when I smoke, the withdrawals don't go away. I think I can tell the nicotine is being blocked, and I am still withdrawing. The cigarettes taste bad now, and I am losing my desire to smoke."

• Anonymous
• October 27, 2009

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I am a military member. I smoked when I woke, ate, and slept, and every moment in between. I married a woman who smoked, and our life was scheduled around smoking. We recently decided to attempt pregnancy. Our first step was to quit smoking. The base where I am stationed offered a smoking cessation program with Chantix. They provided every side effect up front and released the medication the first day. We smoked for the first week, the first pack of Chantix. By day four, cigarettes were tasting stale, and cravings were minimal. We were able to quit on day seven. Irritability, increased dreaming, and nausea are our primary side effects. All are worth quitting smoking."

• 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."

• Try...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2012

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I'm just entering my 3rd week of using Chantix. It has definitely decreased the craving for cigarettes. However, I find myself having to continue to smoke. I don't smoke as much or even smoke much of the cigarette. I do experience great vivid dreams, not nightmares, the nausea, which I have found that wintergreen Life Savers seem to help settle my stomach, and I'm tired a lot, but until reading these other experiences, didn't know it was connected. I am currently taking antidepressant medicines, and my doctor watches my behavior every day, since I work in the clinic, and I'm very aware of my moods. I get irritable at times, but so far no real depression, so hopefully the Celexa I'm on is helping that. I would recommend it to anyone!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• February 21, 2010

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Although I have tried nearly every quit-smoking method out there, Chantix was the only thing that has actually worked for me. I took it for one month and then decided there was no need to renew the prescription. The biggest negatives for me were increased urination, difficulty falling asleep, waking up during the night, anxiety, irritability, and weight gain of about 6 pounds. The weight gain was very sudden at the start of taking the prescription and was very odd because I am a distance runner and am very conscious of calories in vs. calories out. Now that I've stopped taking the drug, I'm still struggling to get off these last few pounds, but I'm much less irritable, am sleeping better, and still have no desire to smoke. :)"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• October 16, 2009

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I am currently on my last week of the first-month starter pack. During the first week, I had dropped from a pack a day to two or three cigarettes a day. I have currently been smoke-free for over a week and a half. I have no desire, and the smell is terrible. The strange dreams cause me to lose a lot of sleep, and the nausea has been very bad, causing me to cut my pills down to half a 1 mg twice a day. My boyfriend is also taking the pills, and after day three, he became very irritable for a while and has now leveled back out. Other than that, he is doing well and has had no other side effects."

• bea...
• March 20, 2011

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I am on day 5 of taking Chantix. On days 2-4, I noticed that I didn't smoke as often or even think about smoking, and when I did, it tasted weird and was not as pleasurable as usual. I have noticed I am feeling irritable and occasional nausea, but those are the only side effects so far. I am following the GET QUIT support online and plan to continue the medication."

• Anonymous
• July 7, 2011

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I tried Chantix for a period of 2 months. My cravings for a cigarette eased until I cut down to about 3 per day. The nausea lasted for about 20 minutes after each dose and got better over time. The vivid dreams, constipation, and gas got worse. I understand this medication is not going to work the same for everyone. I believe there is a short window of opportunity when you either quit or you don't. When I was down to 3 per day, I probably should have quit. This medicine began to make me agitated, anxious, and very hard to get along with, to say the least. I still smoke, unfortunately."