Varenicline and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Lan...
• January 9, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "I started Champix in November 2015. I have been smoking for 20 years! Stopped on day 14 and have had hardly any cravings at all. Side effects were intense to start but worth it: nauseous, tiredness, and the odd crazy dream. I am now on week 6 and thinking of lowering my dose. Can't believe how easy it was to stop with this medication! The only thing I am concerned about right now is my weight loss, I have lost over 1.5 stone since starting Champix. It may or may not be connected to the Champix."

• Gra...
• October 19, 2013

For Smoking Cessation "3 1/2 years ago, I decided to take Chantix to quit smoking. For me, Chantix was a miracle. I have had no desire to smoke since I quit. I feel so much better and breathe much better. I smoked a pack per day for over 20 years. I was feeling short of breath and exhausted all of the time. Not anymore. Thank you, Chantix."

• H92...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2013

For Smoking Cessation "I'm on Day 8 of Chantix. I have smoked for twenty years and tried several other methods without success. My best friend is also taking it at the same time. The dreams are vivid. I'm very tired. I've also had headaches, which are not typical for me. I'm light sensitive and so dizzy that I feel unsafe driving or working at times. However, I've continued to take one pill a day instead of the two. I'm now on 1 mg. I have noticed less cravings. I'm so miserable that I'm gonna stop smoking just so I can quit this medication. Oh, and I forget, depressed. Wish you all luck!"

• RJS...
• September 24, 2007

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."

• Spo...
• August 13, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "I have been on Champix for 10 days now, my quit day was supposed to be on the 13th day, but thankfully I don't want a ciggy. I wasn't holding out a lot of hope for this drug to work, but so far, so good. Like a lot of others, I have had the funny dreams and lethargy, but not serious enough for me to stop taking them. Can't wait to finish the course and be normal again, but more importantly, I can't wait to be a non-smoker."

• Bri...
• March 27, 2017

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..."

• Som...
• September 30, 2007

For Smoking Cessation "First of all, Chantix is great! The side effects I'm feeling are being extremely tired. I even fell asleep at work. I have not been able to get up and do my workout, instead, I fall back to sleep in my chair. I also am experiencing the weird dreams. I wake up not knowing if some things are real or if I dreamt them. The last few days felt very blue too. The positive is I haven't had a cigarette in 9 days!"

• Anonymous
• November 8, 2012

For Smoking Cessation "Amazing. Yes, of course there were side effects. I felt tired and a bit nauseous about an hour after taking the pill. I countered this by taking the 'evening' pill at night before bed, and then I would be fine. I had a few vivid dreams, but nothing crazy. This medicine works...if you really want to quit smoking. It isn't magic, and you do have to put some effort in. Of course, you will be cranky and a bit more anxious than normal, your brain has no idea how to deal with stress without smoking. None of these are reasons to not try it. I was a pack-a-day smoker for 15 years, and I have not smoked for 10 weeks and have zero desire to do so. It's truly a miracle medicine."

• cat...
• September 28, 2007

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."

• sta...
• December 12, 2007

For Smoking Cessation "I started Chantix two weeks ago. My doctor started me on a half pill once a day. After 4 days a half twice a day. Then a full pill (1 mg) twice a day. I have minimal cravings. I do give in at night and smoke a couple of cigs in front of the TV. I think if I change my late-night habit of TV for a while, I can break the cycle. Chantix is a miracle for those who can take it. The only side effect for me is lethargy. It's worth it, and I'm saving money besides my life!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2023

For Smoking Cessation "Champix works, but the side effects are pretty grim. After 4 weeks, I no longer smoke or drink alcohol. The nausea has decreased. The biggest problem is loss of weight. I have gone down from 103 lbs to 94 lbs, and my BMI now indicates that I am underweight. Has anyone any advice? Will this loss eventually stop? I am eating okay, and apart from feeling a little tired, am okay."

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

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."

• Won...
• October 13, 2017

For Smoking Cessation "It works if you let it! I'm very pleased, it's only been a month, but I can DEFINITELY see/feel the difference. I've had moments when I would get a just 'little' cranky, but nothing I can't handle. I've experienced those dreaded dreams, but I haven't experienced the 'waking up in a cold sweat' kind of dream. They're mild, nothing too crazy, thank God, lol. But the worst thing for me is the nausea and the tired feeling. With the nausea, I had to make sure I had something on my stomach and still keep ginger ale at my side. The tired feeling got so bad I started taking them at night because I wasn't able to really perform at work. Everyone is different, but I hope some of this info helps. GL!!"

• Mrs...
• January 21, 2016

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!"

• Til...
• November 5, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I used Chantix to quit 4 years ago. Don't remember having any side effects then. I went 3 weeks without a cigarette and was feeling really confident, so rather than spend the money on a refill, I decided to try it on my own. Huge mistake! Within 2 weeks, I was smoking again. 4 years later, and I'm ready to try again. I'm on week 3, and it's not working quite as well this time. I'm still smoking, but considerably less than before. I'm down to about 3/4 of a pack a day compared to my usual 2 or more packs a day. I'm definitely having more side effects. So tired this week, I could barely function, and upset stomach all day, but it's getting better. I plan on taking the recommended 3 months this time to increase my chance of quitting for good."

• Jes...
• November 19, 2015

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."

• Joe...
• October 9, 2007

For Smoking Cessation "I was on regular dosage Chantix for about 3 weeks and stopped because of persistent nausea. I quit smoking after the first week and have been smoke-free since (total of 60 days now). I am still having bouts with nausea and feel lethargic and borderline depressed at times. Also have some bouts with disorientation-like sensations during times of nausea. It's great to me off the smokes, but I could do without the side effects."

• Jan...
• November 5, 2007

For Smoking Cessation "I am on my second day on Chantix, and I am smoking, but the urges are less and less. They really don't satisfy me like they did. I have felt tired and a bit nauseated, but so far that is all. I will continue, and I will quit!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2013

For Smoking Cessation "I have been a smoker since I was 14. I am now 28. I tried Chantix for the first time about a year ago. It worked wonders. I was smoke-free for 6 months. I had no problems with it at all. After the 6 months, my boyfriend, who at the time did not quit, was smoking, and I would sneak a few drags here and there, and then before I knew it, I was back to smoking. I started Chantix again 9 days ago. I have been nauseous every time I take it, very tired, and VERY VERY moody to the point my kids do not want to be around me. As of today, I will not be taking Chantix and will turn to another alternative. Good luck to those who do have success with it!"

• NLa...
• September 21, 2007

For Smoking Cessation "I have been on Chantix for 8 weeks. I have smoked for 42 years and smoked 1 1/2 to 2 packs a day. Now I have one cigarette about once a day or none. I just started getting nausea, I am tired all the time and feel a little down. But if I can quit, I would think this will go away once I am off the pills."

• fir...
• October 10, 2007

For Smoking Cessation "I am 45 and have been smoking for 30 years, at least a pack/day for the last 20. Started taking Chantix July 1, stayed very loose about it and had my last cig sometime between July 6 - 8 (don't remember). I guess because I already didn't really want that last one - it was just there. Today is Oct 10, it has been about 13 weeks, feel good about it. Some vivid (weird) dreams; some nausea (that I didn't pay much attention to until I read these comments). A little lethargy... all in all - IT'S GREAT!"

• Sha...
• October 27, 2009

For Smoking Cessation "I started taking Chantix the last week of September, and I have been smoke-free for three weeks! My doctor only gave me the prescription for a month's worth, so now I am off of it. Today is the second day without taking Chantix, and my mood has been changing. I am yelling at everything, and I am so tired. I even realized at the last minute that I was allergic to the stuff. I am glad that I am smoke-free, but I will be glad when the medicine is out of my system."

• Kiw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "Now onto Week 5 of non-smoking with Champix. Have tried many cessation tools (patches, etc.), but this has been the best for controlling urges to smoke easier. However, side effects for me have been crazy, so will be stopping the course early. The side effects include insomnia, tiredness, lucid dreams, lethargy, swollen legs and ankles, sore feet, constipation, nausea, and mood swings that feel more in line with bipolar depression/quick to anger/anxiety/frustration. More than the usual nicotine withdrawal-associated symptoms."

• Kiw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "Now onto Week 5 of non-smoking with Champix. Have tried many cessation tools (patches, etc.), but this has been the best for controlling urges to smoke easier. However, side effects for me have been crazy, so will be stopping the course early. The side effects include insomnia, tiredness, lucid dreams, lethargy, swollen legs and ankles, sore feet, constipation, nausea, and mood swings that feel more in line with bipolar depression/quick to anger/anxiety/frustration. More than the usual nicotine withdrawal-associated symptoms."

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

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!"