Varenicline and Sick: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Bru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2019

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Did Champix stop me from smoking? Yes. I think so, although surely the decision to take them in the first place is a bigger indicator of my willingness to quit. Did Champix give me bipolar mood issues? ABSOLUTELY. Did I finish the course? No. These things made me really miserable, they made me feel sick, and the effects scared the hell out of me. Would I use them again or recommend them to my friends? No. Absolutely not. Overall: steer clear."

• MIK...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 26, 2017

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "This is from a 45-year, 2-plus packs-a-day smoker. Last March (2017), my wife and I decided we were going to give Chantix a try. We started, and actually, my wife quit a few days before me. I asked her why she no longer smoked, and she said she was taking two Chantix a day. One in the morning, one in the evening. I was only taking one a day. I started her routine, and I have to say that 3 days later, I actually got sick trying to smoke a cigarette. That was the last cigarette I have attempted to smoke. Smoke-free for 9 months, gained a few pounds, but feeling good about being a non-smoker. Don't even think about it anymore."

• Vic...
• January 5, 2015

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Smoked for 13 years, tried patches for years, and the longest I had done was 1 month. I started the tablets on my 3-week holiday (I did get ill, couldn't sleep properly, and was sad), but at the end of the day, it worked, and I only took 2 weeks' worth of the pills before I stopped taking them completely."

• Ret...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2018

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "First, I would like to say thank you to everyone who posted here to talk about their experience. I am attempting CHAMPIX now for my second time. I have figured out how to prevent the sick feeling. I eat a little and then take the pill and eat more. Kind of like I am burying the pill in my food. LOL. I have had some crazy dreams, something that actually isn't so bad. They are just of people that have passed away and are visiting me. I do notice if I am starting to get grumpy and take a deep breath. I have great control of that. So, I am on date 7 and found myself here. I read the comments about people's journeys and find it has helped for reassurance. That yes, it's not easy, but it can be done. So again, high five to a healthy life and I can't wait to stop taking these pills."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2018

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I smoked 2 boxes of rollies a week. I started taking Champix, and for a good few days, I felt out of sorts, my concentration was gone. I was feeling dizzy, and sometimes I felt sick. This happened when I forgot to eat before I took my tablet. I quit smoking on day 11 of Champix and had no withdrawal symptoms from quitting smoking. I'm smoke-free for 7 days now and haven't thought of smoking. It is a magic pill, but you have to stop smoking to notice you're okay without it. You just get side effects from the tablets, but you don't get side effects from quitting smoking."

• Anonymous
• August 5, 2009

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "It really worked for me, but I became sick when I started the 1 mg pills. Also, waking up at 1 a.m. in the morning and being up until I had to go to work was horrible. Those were the two worst side effects for me. I did have a lot more side effects, but not too bad considering I was a 14-year smoker and within three weeks just didn't want to smoke anymore. I know they tell you to be ready to quit on the eighth day, but I smoked until I slowly didn't want that first one in the morning, the one on the way to work, etc. That was the best thing because no one is enforcing a quit date on you."

• Ros...
• November 27, 2016

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Day 9 of medication: Doctor told me all side effects and told me to hang with it for at least a week, hoping side effects would decrease if I experienced any. Day 9 and I'm just as nauseous as day 1. I eat a hefty breakfast every morning now, as I thought the first few days my breakfast just wasn't cutting it with the food intake, but still feel sick to my stomach instantly after taking it-I wouldn't say you will gain weight with this even if you eat more since after taking you don't want to eat for the rest of the day. By dinner time, I have to force myself to take the 2nd pill as I know for the rest of the evening I will be sleepy and uncomfortable. Some vivid dreams but nothing major. I feel the decrease of wanting to smoke, but sick all the time."

• GR1...
• January 14, 2016

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "The only downside to this drug for me has been difficulty sleeping and crazy dreams. But to me, that's worth it! I quit on day 6 of taking Champix and am now 8 days smoke-free, and I couldn't feel better. Exercise is much easier, my skin has improved, and I am proud of myself. Smoking always made me feel guilty. I felt ill for the first 3 to 4 days and cut down from 10 to 2 a day, then just decided smoking was worthless to me because it really felt that way... for the first time in 8 years! I have decided to remain on the lower dose of Champix as I quit on it and feel confident I can continue. It always lowers the risk of side effects and makes it easier to come off the tablets, so an all-around win for me. I highly recommend these tablets!!!"

• Bri...
• March 27, 2017

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "ddferrari, I don't believe these people are faking about their experiences. Because I had a good experience with Chantix. Honestly, I am smoking again. I took this a couple of years ago for about a week or two and went from a pack a day to a cigarette every three days. So it did help. But it did make me super tired, so much to the point I felt sick constantly. I was having dreams. Dreams about my boyfriend cheating on me (which he was). I'm about to start taking them again. I had stopped back then because of all of that stuff. But I'm going to start again because I did see an improvement. This time I really plan on stopping..."

• Suz...
• February 2, 2018

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I started taking Champix on 10th January 2018 and had a 2-week course. I had been rolling my own cigarettes, about 10 to 15 a day for over 45 years. I am so pleased to say I have not touched a cigarette for 2 weeks now! If I can do it, anyone can! Had a couple of side effects, like feeling sick after taking them and dreams, but just persevered for the 2 weeks. So pleased I carried on until I finished the 2-week course!!!!"

• Anonymous
• December 6, 2009

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I smoked for 10 years, a pack a day. Never tried to quit before, never thought I could. One day, my doctor prescribed me Chantix because I was having a chronic cough. I gave the starter pack a shot, and here is how it went: I took the medicine exactly how it was prescribed. I took it for the first week and noticed absolutely nothing, unlike others-no positive or negative effects. I got worried, but on my eighth day, I quit cold turkey. I am a guy who would get cranky and moody and sometimes even ill if I went 10-12 hours without being able to smoke. Chantix surprisingly kicked in right when it should and diminished my effects of quitting so much that it gave me great enthusiasm to continue with it. I'm officially a non-smoker!"

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2018

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Yes, Champix is a fantastic pill to stop you from smoking. I smoked since I was 11 years old, and I'm now 47. I haven't had a cig, nor do I want one since the 12th of May 2018. But the tablets are making me so, so sick, I even got anti-sickness tablets off the doc, which worked for a day or two, but I'm thinking about stopping them all as it's not nice to be sick so much. Anyone else been so ill?"

• Ari...
• December 7, 2016

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I have used Champix before and stopped smoking for 2 years. I stupidly started and have gone back on them. I have tried lots of different nicotine replacement methods, and this is the only one that works. Those of you with little willpower (like me)? This is for you. I do suffer side effects but can manage them as the alternative is smoking! Side effects include stomach pains and sickness. To solve this, take the tablet after a decent meal and a lower dose (I can manage on the .5 mg). Hard to sleep and nightmares - no solution, but better than waking up coughing up phlegm every morning. At times, I still get the urge to have a cigarette, but the experience of this is a big mistake as they taste awful, and as soon as you light up, you will put it out. Keep busy."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• Art...
• August 31, 2015

Varenicline "Little about me: 37-year-old male in good shape, quit smoking on March 27, 2014, using Champix. I will never smoke another. Only thing bad was I had to eat all the time or I got the shakes and felt sick. Also, my blood pressure is just now going back to normal after 1 year and 5 months. After I quit, it was up to 180 over 80. I'm taking 85 mg aspirin."

• Emb...
• October 30, 2016

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I was a 'social' smoker for 20 years, which was progressively becoming a daily issue. After trying everything, including hundreds of dollars on hypnotherapy, which didn't work, I went to my doctor, who told me I used cigarettes as a reward at the end of the day. She mentioned Champix might be beneficial. I take antidepressants as well. Within a few days of Champix, I wasn't enjoying cigarettes, and by day 10 or 11, I stopped completely. This was 6 months ago. I did slip twice while drinking too much wine, as I stopped taking the Champix prematurely and started taking it again. The only side effect was sickness, like morning sickness. Champix makes it easy to quit, as it really reduces the cravings. Such a positive experience."

• lan...
• April 2, 2009

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I just began Chantix and really want to quit; after one day of taking the medicine, I have a severe allergic reaction, rash in the buttocks region. I have also felt sickly, lethargic, and have strange visions. I have several friends who have taken the product with no side effects whatsoever, so I believe it is a case-by-case basis. Immediately, it curbed my cravings, and cigarettes tasted horrible. However, I must be too sensitive to the drug, so I will look to going cold turkey or reduce the dosage."

• Ang...
• September 26, 2011

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I am a pack-a-day smoker for about 10 years now. I am really ready to become a non-smoker and say I overcame the addiction. Today is my 8th day, I have been feeling sick the last 2 days and having some 'off-the-wall' dreams, but funny dreams. I am tired during the day, but when I am at home, I am good. I work and go to school, so my only concern is that I will not have enough energy for both. So far today, I have only had one cigarette, and I only took 2 puffs and threw it out. Praying that this works as I start my new life as a non-smoker! Good luck to everyone out there who has just started!"

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2017

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "This is in regards to my own experience with this drug. Straight to the point, this has been an absolutely awful experience for me. From awful side effects (sickness mostly, vomiting) to strange behavior patterns and depression. I experienced all those things in the first week and had to quit. I was still smoking the same as before it, but I do understand that I may have not given it a fair chance, having only gone one week on it. So I cannot say whether it's effective for smoking cessation or not, but for me, it wasn't worth it anyway. The side effects were too intense to manage and only getting worse. I would feel flu-like symptoms a couple of hours after taking it and throughout the rest of the day. The first hour or so is the worst."

• Los...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2021

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I quit Champix right after the first stage (14 days = one package) and am still having really hard side effects (after four days): dizziness, bad mood/temper, feeling sick, etc. My reason for quitting after one package: understanding that this is a really, really strong prescription drug. So, I did quit smoking as well (half Champix + half willpower), but gotta warn everybody that this is some serious brain chemistry stuff and definitely leaves some damage behind (at the moment, I can't tolerate my wife's presence, for example, and almost hate her without any reason. I explained the case to her as well... and she tries to understand...). So how did Champix work for me? It made cigarettes taste like hay and sucked out all the pleasure from my brain synapses."

• Anonymous
• April 1, 2010

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "I've been a pack-a-day smoker for around 15 years (has it been that long???) I'm on day 11. I've had very minimal side effects, and sometimes none at all. The only thing to report is I feel a little sick after I take the nighttime dose, but it goes away pretty quickly, and it's easy to just ride it out. I always take them with full meals, and I think I must not drink enough water with the nighttime dose. It hasn't happened every day either. I'm not even having the weird dreams, which I was looking forward to. Still smoking. Not nearly as much as I did, though, and I haven't really enjoyed one since like Day 4 anyway. Just going through the motions, I think. I've heard it will just magically kick in, so I'm waiting for that to happen."

• Jay...
• December 4, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "This is my second time trying Chantix. Both times it made me so sick I had to lay in bed for at least an hour or I could not keep it down. It was awful; tried eating before meals, after meals, while eating, with and without liquids, and nothing seemed to work, but the cravings were going away. Then for some reason, I tried it with banana bread. Just a tiny piece, and it took away the sickness. Didn't feel a single thing. Next day, I tried a banana smoothie. Same thing. Something with banana eases the nausea. So much I moved up to a full 1 mg 2 times a day and still good to go! If you are feeling this, try it! Someone suggested portable pur."

• Anonymous
• September 15, 2011

Varenicline for Smoking Cessation "Well, I've only been on it for 8 days, don't feel too good, and still smoking. My chest hurts, no energy, was up most of last night, and when I do smoke, I feel sick, so it must be doing something to my body. I pray it starts working because I'm ready to be a non-smoker. I do not like feeling sick."