Varenicline and Vivid Dreams: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Don...
• September 27, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I quit smoking 12/7/2007 while using Chantix. I have not touched a cigarette since. I do not crave cigarettes. I do not think about them. I tried everything around to quit, but not until Chantix did it take. I love the freedom from not worrying if I have enough cigarettes, and I can't imagine the cost of it now. I remember it caused some nausea and vivid dreams. I wasn't a happy person while quitting, but the end goal was so worth it. No cough anymore! I almost forgot about that annoying smoker's cough. It goes away. It really does. Wishing everyone good luck and good health."

• Ton...
• November 22, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I am a very grateful 43-year-young woman. I quit smoking for the 1st time after smoking for 24 years. I was having an elective surgery, and my surgeon said I had to quit 14 days before my procedure, which I ended up quitting 12 days before. He nicotine tested me the day of my procedure to be sure I hadn't smoked. I let him know it had only been 12 days, and I was able to have my procedure! I began taking Chantix on 3/27/08, and by the next morning, they already tasted bad. I had my last cigarette at 7 am on 3/30/08. I took Chantix for 30 days and have never craved or smoked again. It's been 7 years and 8 months. When I think back, it's hard to imagine ever smoking, which may seem crazy since I smoked over half my life. The love of my life always tells me it's hard to even imagine that I was a smoker, and he would have missed us if I was still a smoker since he would have never pursued me if I smoked. I only had 2 side effects during those 30 days. I was nauseous for about 20 minutes after I took the medication and had vivid dreams. Thank you, Chantix, for giving me a life that I would have never had if I still smoked!"

• Bum...
• July 4, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "Smoked 25 a day for 28 years and lost count of the number of times I've tried to quit and failed. Now I've been smoke-free for 9 months (feel GREAT)! Life on Champix was VERY tough. Started off with the usual half tablet and things were fine, but within a couple of days of being on the full dose, the suffering began. Bloated, constipated, angry, vivid, nasty dreams, no sleep, lethargic, and so, so emotional I burst into tears over nothing. In the end, I cut back to half the usual full dose and eventually stopped taking Champix altogether after 6 weeks. Took some time after this for the symptoms listed above to disappear completely, but eventually they did."

• Mfm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "I am on day number 33, and I quit smoking 21 days ago. The first 2 weeks of the medicine will be a little bit hard due to the side effects, and after then it will be better regarding nausea, bad mood, and the crazy dreams. I hope not to go back to smoking after finishing the whole dose."

• Rag...
• January 7, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I'm 43 and smoked since 18. I tried the patch and gum and could not last more than a week. I tried Chantix, and it was mind-blowing. Nothing really changed, but after the first 2 or 3 days of taking it, cigs just tasted awful, and I didn't get that 'cig fix.' It got to a point where it was just, why bother? I stopped for a month right off the bat. I stopped taking my meds early as I thought I was 'cured.' Mistake. I didn't really want another cig until I went drinking. Even then, the urge was not too much, but I just made a bad decision while drunk and thought I missed it. I really didn't and got back and finished my supply of Chantix. For me, the only side effect was dreams, very, very weird and crazy dreams. It worked for me."

• Anonymous
• January 24, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "I've been a smoker for over 10 years now and also a heavy drinker (borderline alcoholic). I've tried every way possible to quit with no success until Chantix. It's only been a week, but I have zero interest in smoking. I have had a few side effects: I'm extremely nauseous if I don't eat beforehand, weird dreams, slight irritability/anxiety, constipation, and a good amount of loss of concentration (forgetting to complete simple daily tasks at work). However, I feel overall great, the withdrawal is so minimal, the thought of smoking makes me sick, and a plus is I have zero interest in drinking either! One BIG suggestion is this medication really, really works wonders, but you have to want it and make the change."

• Don...
• April 7, 2009

For Smoking Cessation "I'm 23 hours into my 15th day of being smoke-free. I've been on Chantix since March 18, 2009. I did continue to smoke the first 7 days, but only like 2 or 3 cigarettes a day. On my D-Day, I quit and haven't looked back. My family is so proud of me, but as weird as this might sound, I'm proud of myself. And to think, before I started the green pack *starter pack*, I went online and the reviews I read scared the crap out of me, and I almost didn't start. I'm so happy I did. I've had some crazy, vivid dreams. I started looking forward to them. I've also had some really bad gas episodes. Besides that, I've had no more side effects."

• 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."

• Gel...
• March 23, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "Got to give it a 10 as it achieves the wanted result, rating it on side effects would be nil, which would be unfair and not constructive to a survey. My 3rd attempt on Champix, the 1st two attempts failed due to my own silly fault, being bored and having an overwhelming desire to be naughty. So this time I'm keeping busy and find it a lot easier. Side effects are all well documented and trust me I have the lot. Stools the size of Manchester alternating with a spontaneous tsunami and dreams so vivid I could write a novel each morning, being only a couple of a whole list of effects. Nothing I was not expecting or that can't be endured for the sake of being smoke-free after 45 years. Good luck to all on Champix."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "At 31 years of age and a smoker since I was 13, I didn't think there was hope for me. The habit slowly caught up to me, and I found myself a pack-a-day smoker for over the last 10 years. Smoking when I was happy, sad, or angry, it was a constant companion for so long, and I honestly thought I'd die of COPD on oxygen, begging for that last smoke. Chantix truly changed all of that. It completely eliminated the physical craving, leaving the rest up to me. How bad do I want it? I'm over a week deep. This is the longest I've gone in 17 years without a smoke. I owe my life to Chantix. I had some initial nausea and wild dreams, irritable...but I'm smoke-free. I can beat this. YOU can beat this. Good luck!"

• rep...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "This is my 3rd time taking Chantix. The 1st time I took it for 3 months and quit smoking for 3.5 years. I experienced the dreams but no other side effects. The 2nd time I took it for 1 month and quit smoking for 6 months. I still had the dreams but had nausea also. This time I've been on it for 4 weeks, smoke-free for 3 weeks. I'm having the dreams and had nausea for only the 2nd and 3rd week, but in the 2nd week, I started experiencing more side effects. I started feeling tired, lazy, bummed, and in a bit of a depressive state. In the 3rd week, I became paranoid and obsessive with racing thoughts. It's hard to focus, and now in the 4th week, I question if I'm hallucinating or dreaming. No thoughts of suicide. I quit taking it today and hope to stay smoke-free."

• Chu...
• December 28, 2013

For Smoking Cessation "I started taking Chantix on Oct 6, 2013. On Oct 13, 2013, I had my last smoke. I did not even have a craving for one. I had the occasional dreams, nothing bad, just multiple ones per night. I went three weeks taking 1 mg in the am and 1 mg in the pm. Then I went to just 1 mg in the morning. No more dreams. Also, if you don't eat enough, you will get an upset tummy. I ordered another starter pack just to lower the dose before I totally quit. On Dec 19, 2013, I went to 0.5 mg in the am, and on Dec 21, I stopped totally. It has been one week with nothing, feels good. Thought about it through the whole process, but I believe I am done with the nasty addiction. My side effects were dreams, anger, moodiness, but all good. Good luck to me and all who give it a try."

• Kan...
• January 11, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I would highly recommend this medication for smoking cessation. It was my saving grace to quitting smoking. I had bad dreams the first two nights when I was taking it in the AM and in the evening. I switched the second dose to after lunch, and the bad dreams stopped. No other side effects. Absolutely the best medication ever to help you quit smoking."

• Mad...
• May 17, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "20 a day for 26 years. Tried e-cigs, patches, gum, even Allen Carr. Champix felt like my last chance, and damn, it worked for me! Yes to nausea (even with food) and vivid dreams, but no mood swings or irrational behavior (so far), and I actually have a long history of depression and anxiety, so I was really expecting that. I quit smoking on day 13 of the meds. Partly 'cause you HAVE to make that choice and partly 'cause it was just horrid to smoke. I can't even stand the smell now. A few cravings, but easy to get over them. It's only day 18, but I do feel really confident this is it for me now. Champix might not be for everyone, but if you really have tried everything else, then why not?"

• Sai...
• August 21, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "Well, I'm on day 5 of no smoking, truly amazed how I have gone from 20 a day for 30 years to nothing. I get the odd craving, but sips of water work to banish them. I'm into week 3 of taking tablets, and the only side effect is vivid dreams. I have tried to quit before, but Champix is the best, effortless, not even missing my morning fag with my coffee. If you're thinking of taking these tablets, I'd say go for it. Time for an update, almost week 3 of no smoking, had lots of cravings, but stuck with it and came out okay. Water really helps, small sips, or get a jigsaw to keep the hands busy. Even my non-smoking husband is impressed, he's heard so many times that I'm going to quit but have failed every time apart from now and a healthier bank account."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "I have been a smoker for 27 years and have tried to quit a few times before without success. I'm now 4 weeks into taking Champix, and I haven't smoked since day 11. I had a few cravings at the start, now I don't even think about it at all, even when I'm around smokers. I now hate the smell on my clothes after. The only side effect I've had is the weird dreams and lack of sleep, but I would rather that than smoke again. I am hoping to cut the tablets back down soon. Anyone thinking of trying to quit, I definitely recommend these."

• P58...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 5, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "Constant ringing in ears. Crazy dreams, some are nightmares. Tongue is dry and has a metallic taste. Thirty minutes after the morning pill, stomach ache, nausea, extreme sweat. At night, lots of sweat. Hard to go to sleep. Lots of unhappiness and irritation. Good news, quit smoking on day 4. I am 22 days later and not one cigarette."

• Joh...
• December 2, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "I smoked for 20 years. I tried everything, Zyban, patches, gum, hypnosis, vaping, etc. I had no problem making it a few days, and a few times I even lasted a month, but I could never make it stick. I thought I could never quit. Chantix worked. Don't get me wrong, the side effects are awful. I had horrible, vivid nightmares. It also gave me painful stomach cramps and made me nauseous within the first 30 minutes of taking them (I found that taking the pills with a glass of milk helped). I'm glad I stuck with it though. I ended up taking the pills for about 3 months. Stopped smoking about 1 week in. It has now been almost 2 years smoke-free. I still have the occasional craving (maybe once a week), but they pass within a few minutes."

• Nun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "Champix was very effective to stop me from smoking! After six days, I suddenly woke up, and for the first time in 30 years, I didn't feel like having a smoke. So I didn't and haven't for over three months now. I read many reviews before starting to take it and was kind of dreading the side effects, but decided to take it anyway. Took it for 2.5 months. I only noticed very vivid dreams (not bad nightmares) that even amused me, but made me wake up 2 or 3 times a night, so it was a bit tiring. Besides that, for the first two weeks, I had trouble remembering words and felt a bit disconnected. It was only after I stopped taking it that I realized I had been very depressed, had 2 car accidents in 2 months (first in 25 years of driving). Worth it!"

• cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2013

For Smoking Cessation "I was a pack-a-day smoker for over 30 years and have tried to quit several times. The cravings were just too much to get over. I had finally gotten to the point where I thought smoking was such a disgusting and expensive habit... I just wish I could quit! My doctor prescribed Chantix for me one day, and I let the prescription sit on my desk at home for 2 weeks before I started taking it. I figured it wouldn't help, but considering I spent $200 for it, I thought I would at least try it. By the 3rd day, I hardly had any cravings at all. I even tried to smoke a cigarette but snuffed it out. It just didn't taste the same! I have had NO side effects except some crazy dreams... but honestly, I kinda like it! Love this medicine!"

• Y2K...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I had a heart attack and a stent put in, in March of this year. I HAD to quit, as I also work in the medical field. I had smoked for over 35 years, and I rather loved it, but I KNEW I had to quit. My own child bet against me that I couldn't do it. He lost. CHANTIX worked like a miracle... I quit completely after 3 weeks, and it's been over 4 months now, and I can say I never want to smoke again. Just the smell or the non-smell of tobacco is wonderful. I loved my Chantix experience, and the only side effects I noticed were weird dreams... And some of them were not too bad... Thank you for my life back without smoking... :)"

• Jay...
• January 27, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I'm on day 1 of my Champix. Bit nervous and apprehensive... but I'm going to go with it and will make sure I eat before and drink plenty. I'm not looking forward to any bad dreams though, but I will still go with the flow. Good luck to all of you, and it would be great to hear your feedback...x"

• Bra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "This is the 2nd time I've taken Chantix. I have learned a few things to watch for this time. First, you MUST EAT when you take the medication. If you don't eat, you will get sick. Second, the dreams are so strange. They aren't scary, but they are vivid and odd. This medication has worked well for me. Stay on the medicine the full 90 days. I quit smoking at day 10 both times. Do remember that this drug doesn't work the same for everyone, so be careful."

• Bon...
• January 20, 2021

For Smoking Cessation "Chantix has been a surprise to me. I quit at about the third week. Just didn't feel like smoking and didn't care about it anymore. Weird. And awesome! I took Chantix for 2 months, the last two weeks I only took the morning dose. Just quit the pills completely a few days ago. I have smoked forever and never thought I would stop. I have 5 weeks under my belt, and I know I will never smoke again. I had no major side effects. Dreams were a little vivid, mild nausea with the morning pill sometimes. My advice: eat and drink a full glass of water when you take the medication. Most of the time it didn't bother me, and if it did, it only lasted 15 minutes. My other advice: don't drink alcohol and/or take recreational drugs with this medication. Also, alcohol lowers your willpower. So just commit to a few months of no alcohol to change the rest of your life!"

• Tim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2013

For Smoking Cessation "36-year-old male when I quit. Started when I was 14. I was smoking two packs a day. I would definitely recommend this to anyone. Worst thing for me was the dreams. Over two years without a cigarette and much happier. I took it for 6 weeks."