Varenicline and Nightmares: What Users Say

• Moj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I began taking Champix a couple of months ago. The side effects are pretty grim. I felt nauseous most days, struggled to concentrate at work, exhausted by 7 pm, then experienced some very vivid & bizarre nightmares. I persevered with it though because I was determined to stop this time and knew people who'd successfully stopped using it. I stopped smoking on day 10 (after vomiting with my last cigarette) and haven't smoked since. I honestly can't believe how effective it's been. I spoke to my doctor about stopping it early because I was sure I no longer needed them, he said it was entirely up to myself and everyone was different. I took my last tablet on day 35. I have now been smoke-free for around 8 weeks and feel great for it. I just wish I'd done this years ago instead of wasting time and money on patches/vaping/hypnotherapy(!)/inhalators etc. I have been a heavy smoker of tobacco and weed for 20 years and if I can stop, honestly, anyone can!!"

• St ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I'm 76 and have smoked since I was 16, and about 50 years of that was non-filtered cigarettes. I took Chantix for 48 days as prescribed and did not smoke at all after the 7th day. I had no side effects for several weeks, but after about 40 days on the drug, I became extremely moody, had terrible nightmares, a constant headache, and was turning into a very angry person. I stopped the drug on the 48th day, and thankfully the side effects went away after about 4 days. Well, I've been off Chantix now for 2 weeks, feel great, and still am smoke-free. For me personally, this drug did suppress any pleasure of smoking but also suppressed any pleasure of anything. Use with caution!"

• Smi...
• April 6, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "Champix works! I have been a chronic smoker for 28 years, tobacco and skunk marijuana. My teeth started to fall out through smoking at about age 24. I knew smoking meant I would have a short life, or worse, let me live with something horrific. The nightmares I had were horrible and absolutely real. I woke and wondered if what I dreamed was actually real, thank God not. Such weird stuff. Sometimes I thought how could my brain actually come up with these things? Having said that, nothing else has ever worked for me. Don’t underestimate the struggle that you are going through, it’s not for everyone. For me, it’s the only thing that works. Give yourself time, relax, it will get better. I’m starting to deal with the nightmares, they get easier and don’t last. You're doing the best thing in your life ever! I would also say if it causes so much stress, don’t be afraid to seek an alternative course of treatment. God bless you, and good luck!"

• 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!!!!"

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I'm on day 7 on Champix and feel fine. I eat with every tablet, drink a big glass of water, and I've had no nausea. I can feel the cravings subsiding, I'm not enjoying smoking as much and have already cut back to about 3 per day. I had nightmares the first night, but that has eased, and I just have vivid dreams that aren't frightening. Other than that, I'm waking up earlier than usual and not experiencing any more fatigue than I usually would. So far, so good! The dosage gets upped tomorrow into week 2, so we will see how that goes!"

• Lan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I'm on day 7 today of Champix. I have cut my number of cigarettes down considerably. I'm down to 3 per day. It somehow takes away the want. I can't explain it. I just don't want it. All of my friends smoke, and I can still be around them...without smoking. I don't even think about it. I don't seem to be having nightmares either. I will keep going. I don't want to smoke anymore."

• Ory...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "I started taking Champix after 20 years of 20 cigarettes a day, trying all sorts of things: chewing gums, patches, e-cigarettes, all failed. I took Champix in the morning, 20 minutes after breakfast. If I took it on an empty stomach, it gave me nausea. The second dose I took in the afternoon, never after 7 pm to avoid any nightmares. Apart from nightmares, if I took it too late, I did not have any side effects. I gave up on day 3-that was 3 months ago. I gave up the tablets 1 month ago. I was worried about having cravings, but that did not happen. I’m a 3-month non-smoker. I’m socializing with friends who smoke 20 a day like I used to, and the worst I have to deal with is a few seconds of cravings, but not too often. Champix is the best solution for me."

• Non...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "WORTH IT!!!! Never thought it would be so easy with Champix on my side. Better watch out for those nightmares though... pretty creepy, especially for someone like me who never even experiences dreams. Having a drink still makes it a challenge, but I am managing through it. Second month of Champix and 12 days clean of smoking, you simply gotta give this a go if you are determined to give up smoking!"

• Bar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "Back when I tried Chantix, my insurance did not cover it, BUT I worked out I would spend more on cigarettes, so I went for it! The funny part is I really didn’t want to quit, BUT Chantix took away all cravings. Why smoke if you don’t crave them? So I quit a 33-year, 2-pack-a-day habit. That was 6 years ago! Yes, I had side effects: headaches & nightmares... STILL WORTH IT! Benefits outweigh the risks for sure! Thank you, Chantix!"

• Mx6...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2017

For Smoking Cessation "I've been smoking for 50 years and was up to 2.5 packs a day, it was time to try to do something about trying to stop or slow down. I looked at Chantix on the internet, and the side effects scared me. I talked to a few people, and they said it worked to help them cut down, but they didn't stay on it because they had nightmares. I decided I would give it a try, so I called the doctor and received a prescription. Followed directions, and it was probably one of the best things I did in my life. After one month, I stopped smoking completely and have not had one in 6 months. I stayed on Chantix for 3 months, never had any side effects for myself. I just want to say thank you for Chantix, you probably gave me a longer life, and I feel so much better."

• JDL...
• January 3, 2017

For Smoking Cessation "Started Chantix and had horrible dreams at night and depression/suicidal thoughts during the day. After a week, I stopped taking it and continued to smoke. I tried the drug again the next year and had amazing results. The medication completely curbed my desire to smoke. I also lost the urge to drink Mt. Dew. Anyways, I quit smoking for 2 years. After not smoking for 2 years, my oldest child became ill and was hospitalized. I ended up smoking again during this life event. I immediately started taking Chantix after he left the hospital, and the drug worked again. I have not smoked for many years and have lost the urge to pick the habit back up. Please, please do yourself a favor and use this life-enhancing drug. It was the best decision."

• Dan...
• July 18, 2013

For Smoking Cessation "I smoked 2.5 packs per day for 38 years. At age 52, I finally decided I'd had enough wheezing and yellow fingers. At the 4th day of taking Chantix, my good old cigarettes tasted dry, and I wondered why I was still smoking. On day 8, I put them down and threw away 3 packs of cigarettes. I'm on day 25 without smoking now. I still have some urges, but they occur less often and are less severe. Being around others that are smoking hasn't bothered me at all. I am amazed that I never had the foggy head or other withdrawal symptoms I'd had in the past (when I tried to quit). The only side effects I've had are vivid dreams. Some of these were nightmares, but they are still just dreams. I can put up with a few of those in order to quit."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2023

For Dry Eye Disease "I've been using it for about a week. Except for sneezing 4-5 times after using it, I didn't think I had any further side effects. But now, I'm realizing the drug is greatly affecting my sleeping. I'm up now almost every 2-3 hours. Had a bad, terrible nightmare just last night. Will try to use it for another week and make a determination as to whether or not to continue. And the price has a lot to do with my decision too."

• Roh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "Fantastic to erase all symptoms of smoking. Only 3 weeks in, and yes, I have quit and am able to be around any smoker with no wish to smoke at all. But in saying that, I can't speak to my partner without having a full-blown outburst of rage. I can't sleep, I have vivid nightmares when I do, along with breakdowns because of the intense emotions. I get headaches every day. I can't be in large groups of friends without feeling overwhelmed and anxious. I can't hold conversations with more than one person at one time. I find myself thinking of things that should not be thought of. I was the complete opposite beforehand."

• jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2023

For Smoking Cessation "I was a pack a day, tried quitting for a decade, and couldn't do it. Took Champix, and after a week, didn't even want to smoke. Lit one and put it out right away. So after 3 months, the prescription is over, and the craving comes back, but it's a lot less and more manageable. I was able to quit for 5 years. However, the side effects are not something to be taken lightly, I was having nightmares every night when I was on Champix. I figured it would go away, but it never did. In the beginning, the dreams weren't terrible, but they got worse over time. After I stopped taking Champix, the nightmares became less frequent but were never completely gone. Sometimes I wish I had never started the treatment because I feel the drug had changed me as a person. One night, I woke up in tears because I watched my daughter die in my dream, and the dreams were vivid, and this type of dream happens all the time. I have recently started smoking (pipe tobacco) again, hoping the nightmares would go away."

• Mal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2021

"I am now nearly 9 years free of smoking. I took Champix, and the best way to describe it is, 'I just forgot to smoke.' In the early days of giving up, I still had those triggers coming through, but as I got further into taking the course, those triggers got less intense and further apart until they were no longer significant. I remember my doctor saying, 'Make sure you don't stop taking them, take the whole 3 months' worth.' I followed his advice, and I'm so glad I did. He also warned me of the nightmares thing. I did have dreams, but they were amazing, and I remember wanting to go back to sleep just so I could get back into the dream. Anyway, I can't recommend Champix highly enough. Get on it, take the whole course, and hopefully like me, you will forget you ever smoked. Good luck."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "Quitting was effortless! I did have nausea throughout the entire treatment after taking the pill for a couple of hours and had very vivid, sometimes horrible dreams, but the side effects were worth it!"

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2013

For Smoking Cessation "Week one on the starter pack. Was still smoking, no urge to quit, no side effects. Start week 2 (2 mg a day). I go to bed at 11-12 every night. Started waking up at 3 a.m. on the dot every morning. Extremely vicious nightmares. I am all for vivid dreams, but I have never in my life experienced anything like these. I love my wife deeply, and in one dream she cheated on me. I woke up and found myself actually angry at her, like it really happened... these are nightmares that haunt you the next day. By day 12, I started hallucinating, seeing patterns on the wall, in text, etc. It DOES eliminate the pleasure of smoking, thus the ease of quitting, and depression set in. Use with caution."

• Cas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "It works!! I have not smoked in a week, woo hoo! This is my second time on Chantix because last time I was taking it, I stopped and started smoking again (SMH). This time I'm serious. I'm 35 years old and I said it is time I stopped. I have no cravings whatsoever. When I would drink, I would smoke a lot. I drank the other day and had no craving for it at all! I have a few side effects like insomnia, lower back pain, and vivid dreams/nightmares. Them nightmares be crazy, lol. I never had nightmares before. But it's worth it 'cause I'm not smoking no more :) I will never let nicotine control my life AGAIN!!"

• Chi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "I have smoked since I was 13. I used Champix a few years ago, and it worked, so I started again. I stopped smoking again when I fell pregnant, but unfortunately started again due to baby blues. I woke up this morning and looked at my baby, who is now 18 weeks, and thought I need to stop for him and me, so I am going to try Champix again. From before, I had the nightmares and nausea, but I found a way around that, and it really worked. Eat before taking the pill, and the most important one was to keep hydrated. I had to drink a pint of water before bed and two more with meals, and this seemed to stop the nightmares and the feeling down, and it has worked for many of my friends who I advised this to."

• Lou...
• February 6, 2017

For Smoking Cessation "I am on my 12th tablet, gave up smoking on the 6th tablet, but I am suffering with side effects, tired, nausea, I ache all over and having terrible nightmares, my mouth is constantly dry and food doesn't have any taste to it. However, on the plus side, I don't want a fag and feel sick at the thought of one. I'm hoping to stay on the tablets as long as possible to kick this habit, but with two children to look after, it's hard! I'm going to only take one tablet a day from tomorrow and see if that helps."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 11, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I’m still pretty new to Chantix... after reading the horror stories, I decided to still give it a go with family members and friends monitoring me. I started a few weeks ago taking half a pill a day and am working myself up due to the side effects. I’m a person that always had vivid dreams/nightmares all throughout my life, so that wasn’t a big deal for me. However, they have gotten a tad bit more intense. It’s not my normal dreams. Other than that, I still have cravings, however, if I try to smoke, then it’s just an unbearable taste, which forces me to put it out immediately. Also, I don’t get that relief feeling I used to get. Originally, I would have a few cigarettes in the evening after work with alcohol, so I was never a heavy smoker, however, it’s been days in between my attempts at smoking. Also, drinking less since they always went hand in hand."

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

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."

• Nau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2017

For Smoking Cessation "Have smoked for nearly fifty years!!! Stopped a year ago and used nicotine replacement gum. Only smoked 20 cigs over a weekend. Who do you think I was kidding?!!! Now on Champix only and no problems. (Nightmares are so interesting). Read a book where they said, 'One smokes, not really for pleasure, but to stop the craving.' That is so true that it made me realize that it was not the smoking that is the problem with me, but the craving. So I am so happy to have found Champix to take away the craving and 'Hey Presto,' problem solved. Thanks, Champix."

• hap...
• November 18, 2012

For Smoking Cessation "My husband and I both started Chantix and were very surprised by the results. By day 4, we could not stand the taste of one more cigarette. We did not have nightmares, sickness, or misery. We are almost a year smoke-free. I do recommend this to anyone to try. We are saving money, we sleep better, smell better, and are happy as two non-smokers."