Varenicline and Sick: What Users Say

• Ya ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "This is my third time on Chantix. The first time, I had quit smoking for three months. The second time, Chantix made me so sick I had to quit taking it. This time, it made me extremely ill, so I quit taking it two times a day, and I now take it only in the morning-one pill once a day, and so far, so good. I’m 6 weeks smoke-free so far. I get a lot of cravings, but I get through them. I keep telling myself how I can breathe better. I don’t cough anymore, and I don’t stink. I don’t want to be that person anymore. I never liked the smell, and now that my sense of smell is even better since I quit, the smell of cigarettes is even worse. This time, I will make it."

• Ya ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "This is my third time on Chantix. The first time, I had quit smoking for three months. The second time, Chantix made me so sick I had to quit taking it. This time, it made me extremely ill, so I quit taking it two times a day, and I now take it only in the morning-one pill once a day, and so far, so good. I’m 6 weeks smoke-free so far. I get a lot of cravings, but I get through them. I keep telling myself how I can breathe better. I don’t cough anymore, and I don’t stink. I don’t want to be that person anymore. I never liked the smell, and now that my sense of smell is even better since I quit, the smell of cigarettes is even worse. This time, I will make it."

• Dai...
• January 22, 2017

For Smoking Cessation "I started Champix on the 10th of Jan 2017. I didn't think it would work, by day ten, I have stopped smoking. The first tablets made me feel very sick - it was better with food. I have not missed smoking. To everyone who wants to stop or if you're finding it hard to quit - keep going, you will do it."

• Ema...
• October 15, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "I started Champix 15 days ago, 25 years of smoking. After watching my father die of lung cancer at the age of 62, caused by him smoking. I cannot let my children see me die the way my father did. My father died in June, so still pretty raw. Four days in of taking Champix, I had side effects: headache, sickly, etc. I felt like nothing was happening, and I was convinced it would not work for me. I was still smoking, still wanting and needing to smoke. Then day 14 came and something just clicked, I no longer wanted a cigarette, didn't crave it. For the first time in 25 years, I have done a whole day without a cigarette. Feels weird, feels like I'm sort of grieving for it because I no longer need it. I could never even imagine my life without smoking, I couldn't ever imagine driving to work and not smoking 2 cigarettes on the way, or waking each morning and having a coffee and cigarette. My advice to anyone who's thinking, 'It's not working,' give it a chance, it's totally worth it. :-)"

• Moe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I had crazy dreams, I ended up getting depressed, it made me sick at times. I felt like I was crazy for about 3 months. I had to go on it a second time. I have been smoking for 20 years since I was 13 years old, and in the past, nothing has made me quit-not even one day, not even getting pregnant with my children. I would recommend Chantix to anyone that is serious about quitting. I've never been prouder of myself in my whole life. I have now quit for 24 weeks, I don't plan on ever smoking again. Thank you, Chantix."

• Sic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "I feel so, so sick and so depressed...but I did stop smoking in my first week of taking the drug as I felt too sick to smoke. I'm now in my last month, and I want to stop taking Champix, but I'm scared if I don't finish, I will start smoking again. The meds have made me so confused, I can't think properly. I have all the side effects they say you can get BADLY! I feel like I have the worst hangover ever! But I'm a non-smoker, and I'm losing so much weight. Just hope I can get through the last month. All I can say is I will never ever smoke again, and I can't go through this again!"

• Jun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "12 years ago, I was so sick with bronchitis and still trying to smoke, so I decided I definitely had to give them up, and for good. I’d tried the patches, the chewing gum, but still went back to them when my doctor suggested I try Champix for 12 weeks, so I did. A few days into taking it, I felt sick, but I’d set my date to get off them, October 22, and I did, and I never looked back. I don’t crave them or ever wish that I’d go back, and I really thank Champix, because I know I'd have never given them up. Side effects: sickness at the start, then a few side effects at the end, hearing things, seeing things, depression, but my doctor was very good, and I finished the 12-week course, and I was great."

• nie...
• March 24, 2008

For Smoking Cessation "I took Chantix for 2 months, was very sick and very sleepy on it, but it worked. I have been smoke-free for 13 weeks now, although I do still have strong cravings a few times a day. My biggest concern is that since going off of the Chantix, I became very depressed and started getting suicidal thoughts a lot. Now I am on antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds, which I had never needed before. My doctor thinks maybe I was borderline depressed and that the Chantix pushed it over the edge."

• Kiw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "Resorted to Champix on day 15. Still smoking but not enjoying, and just had my last cigarette and decided not to carry on taking this medication. Pluses and minuses to these tablets. On the positive side, no cravings and smoking a lot less. Downside effects for me have been very short-tempered, tired, and drowsy all the time, plus times where I've felt sick. I'm not a person who takes a lot of medication. So my overall thoughts on Champix and the reason I've given it stars is that it's a good start for me, and now starting from tomorrow, I am mentally prepared to stop. I was smoking around 12 a day, today down to 3, so I'm now ready to do this cold turkey as I can't deal with side effects, especially at work. Good luck, everyone. Feeling very positive."

• j-i...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "I was a bit apprehensive to take this, already being on meds for depression and anxiety, but I had no issues. By day 3, I was already smoking less. By week 2, I was only smoking 1 a day, and it tasted so bad. I am now coming to the end of my first month and haven't had a cigarette in 2 weeks. I am really happy that this is working because before, I actually enjoyed smoking. I did find that if I ate with it, I got sick, though, so I had to take it on an empty stomach. Dreams were not crazy, just remembered."

• Jul...
• March 4, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "I have finally stopped smoking! I continued to smoke well into 6 weeks on it but was able to cut down to 5 a day instead of 1-2 packs a day before I quit all the way. One side effect I haven't seen very often is illness. I have had two sinus infections, a horrible cold, and bronchitis, all within a few months, and come to find out a little-known Chantix side effect is immune suppressant. I am okay with this as being sick also helped me finally kick the habit. It's hard to smoke when you can hardly breathe, but I was starting to think something was seriously wrong with me as I hardly ever got sick until I researched the side effects a little more."

• CEE...
• May 16, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "I started Champix on the 19-4-16 and carried on smoking till my decided give-up date of 4-5-16 (may the 4th be with you, lol). I experienced a couple of days where I felt edgy, like I could hit someone or cry! I had 10-minute waves of sickness straight after taking the tablets and am now only left with the disturbed sleep on week 4. I am having trouble getting to sleep and was advised to take the second tablet earlier, between 4-6 in the evening, and am currently trying this. I drive for a living, so do need my sleep to improve ASAP! Having said that, this is a wonder drug, I am so impressed with it! I have no urge to smoke, no cravings at all. It's like I want a fag out of habit but don't need it. I will complete the 12 weeks but am very happy."

• Rub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "Coming up to week 12 soon of my Champix journey and so glad I did it! For the first 5 days, I carried on smoking as usual, about 15 a day. By day 8, I was having 1 a day... By day 14, I had not had a cigarette for 4 days! Yes, now and then I did feel sick, but nothing I couldn't handle (better than smoking). Made sure I had eaten before taking my tablet. Also felt a little tired now and then. I have definitely lost my appetite, but I'd rather that than weight gain. Don't worry if you haven't given up straight away, around day 14 is a good place to start. Just keep going as it will be worth it in the end. I can't thank Champix enough. I just stopped thinking about smoking completely, which would never have happened cold turkey."

• Eli...
• September 19, 2017

For Smoking Cessation "Chantix worked for me. I smoked a pack a day for 35 years. Neither patches nor gum was effective. They made me feel ill, really. Less than a month on Chantix made me a non-smoker. That was 7, yes 7, grateful years ago. It is amazing how much I missed out on with family and friends because I was out smoking. Not anymore! I am now there to hear the joke or the wonderful story, and amazingly, I am also there to share my life. And I have moved into the present because I am present."

• Anonymous
• March 20, 2008

For Smoking Cessation "I have been a non-smoker now for one year, and I feel great. It's all down to Chantix. With every medicine, you are going to get some side effects. It's only for 12 weeks of your life, you owe yourself that, don't you? I felt sick and had bad sleep, but come on, it's worth it if you really, really want to stop smoking. Good luck to you all! Oh, by the way, I used to smoke 25 a day and 30 on the weekend, so if I can do it, so can you!!!"

• fin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2013

For Smoking Cessation "I smoked for 45 years. For the last 25 years, 2 packs a day. My health was horrible. I have now been smoke-free for 8 weeks! After only a few days, you will notice a positive change. The coughing, the mucus, the continual feeling of about to get sick, all but went away! I, as others, have found if you have trouble sleeping or feeling sick when you switch to 2 mg a day, cut them in half and take half at a time through the day. Also, take the last pill earlier in the evening. Chantix is truly a lifesaver! The dreams are fine as long as you keep positive about it and realize THEY are JUST dreams. The trade-off is so worth it!"

• kim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "The best invention since the wheel! It's magical, it's amazing! Chantix actually makes you NOT want to smoke! I wish I did this years ago. Here's a tip for those who got sickly from it. Maybe the prescribed dosage is too much for your system to handle. Try introducing it to your body slower by extending the lower dose from 1 week to 2-3 weeks, or even cut the lower dose in half. Or maybe all you need is half the dose the entire time. And I recommend tapering off Chantix for a couple of weeks when you're finished. Everybody is different, so it's worth trying what works for you!"

• 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."

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

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 :)"

• dee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 29, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "I was a chain smoker. Many people smoked around me, and I was the worst one. Very well known for how bad I was. I never tried to quit before. My nurse gave me a few samples of Chantix, and it made me sick, but I kept taking it. I knew it was making me want to smoke less. It saved my life. I have been smoke-free for 7 and a half years. I don't even crave it."

• TJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "It was good to read all the comments. I have been a smoker for over 35 years, and I started to feel wheezy, etc. I have tried so many times to quit but have never been successful. I started taking Champix 11 days ago and stopped smoking on day 6. I cannot believe that I have not smoked a cigarette for a whole 5 days. It is mad! I do feel sick after the first tablet, but just eat, and it's not so bad. The dreams are crazy, but I can live with them if it means I won't smoke. I feel a little low, but I control it as I know it's the tablets. I'm just really happy at the moment with Champix and feel really positive about a non-smoking future."

• iri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I have been smoke-free for seven years this January after smoking for well more than half of my life. It seemed quite easy for me, and hopefully for you as well. Only advice I would offer while on this is to be sure to eat BEFORE taking your dose. I got very sick on an empty stomach. Hope this helps, and good luck to everyone."

• 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."

• mil...
• July 8, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "Second attempt at Champix, so far so good, but will say this time round I think I have every side effect: craving, feeling sick, strange dreams, tiredness, eating a lot more. I'm on week 4, but determined to do this. I smell better, my bank account looks healthier. Good luck to everyone."

• Sle...
• December 17, 2013

For Smoking Cessation "I took Champix for 25 days, one in the morning and one in the evening. I stopped on day 15. Side effects were gas, bloated belly, sick feeling, waking during the night, nasty taste in my mouth, and I got really angry over small things a few times. I'm off the tablet 3 days and feeling like things are going back to normal."