Chantix Side Effects
Generic name: varenicline
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 27, 2023.
Note: This document contains side effect information about varenicline. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Chantix.
Applies to varenicline: nasal spray. Other dosage forms:
Serious side effects of Chantix
Along with its needed effects, varenicline (the active ingredient contained in Chantix) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Other side effects of Chantix
Some side effects of varenicline may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Burning, redness, or swelling around or inside the nose
- cough
- sneezing
- sore throat
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to varenicline: nasal spray, oral tablet.
General
The most commonly reported side effects included nausea, headache, insomnia, and abnormal dreams.[Ref]
Psychiatric
Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (up to 19%), abnormal dreams (up to 13%), depressed mood disorders and disturbances (up to 11%), irritability (up to 11%)
Common (1% to 10%): Agitation, anxiety, depressed mood, depression, hostility, middle insomnia, nervousness, nightmare, restlessness, sleep disorder, tension
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Aggression, dissociation, hallucinations, libido decreased, libido increased, mood swings, panic reaction, suicidal ideation, thinking abnormal
Rare (less than 0.1%): Abnormal behavior, bradyphrenia, disorientation, dysphoria, euphoric mood, psychosis, somnambulism
Frequency not reported: Early morning awakening, initial insomnia, neuropsychiatric adverse events, suicidality
Postmarketing reports: Aggressive behavior, changes in behavior, changes in thinking, delusions, completed suicide, exacerbation of underlying psychiatric illness, homicidal ideation, nicotine withdrawal symptoms, panic, suicide, suicide attempt[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 40%), vomiting (up to 11%)
Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal discomfort, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, abdominal pain upper, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, flatulence, gastroenteritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, toothache
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Aphthous stomatitis, change of bowel habit, dysphagia, eructation, gastritis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, gingival pain, hematochezia, mouth ulceration
Rare (less than 0.1%): Abnormal feces, acute pancreatitis, enterocolitis, esophagitis, gallbladder disorder, gastric ulcer, hematemesis, intestinal obstruction, tongue coated[Ref]
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 19%)
Common (1% to 10%): Disturbance in attention, dizziness, dysgeusia, lethargy, somnolence
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Amnesia, convulsion, hypoesthesia, hypogeusia, migraine, parosmia, seizure, syncope, tremor, vertigo
Rare (less than 0.1%): Balance disorder, cerebrovascular accident, coordination abnormal, circadian rhythm sleep disorder, dysarthria, hypertonia, mental impairment, multiple sclerosis, nystagmus, psychomotor hyperactivity, psychomotor skills impaired, restless legs syndrome, scotoma, sensory disturbance, transient ischemic attack, VIIth nerve paralysis, visual field defect
Frequency not reported: Transient loss of consciousness
Postmarketing reports: Blackouts, hemorrhagic cerebrovascular event, ischemic cerebrovascular event, loss of consciousness[Ref]
Respiratory
Very common (10% or more): Nasopharyngitis (up to 11%)
Common (1% to 10%): Bronchitis, cough, dyspnea, oropharyngeal pain, respiratory disorders, rhinorrhea, upper respiratory tract disorder, upper respiratory tract infection
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Allergic rhinitis, asthma, dysphonia, epistaxis, respiratory tract congestion, sinus congestion, throat irritation, upper- airway cough syndrome, upper respiratory tract inflammation
Rare (less than 0.1%): Laryngeal pain, pleurisy, pulmonary embolism, snoring[Ref]
Local
Very common (10% or more): Application site pruritus (up to 11%)[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Common (1% to 10%): Angina pectoris, chest pain, hospitalization for angina pectoris, hypertension, need for coronary revascularization, new diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease (PVD)/admission for a PVD procedure, nonfatal myocardial infarction, peripheral edema
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blood pressure increased, chest discomfort, ECG abnormal, edema, heart rate increased, hospitalization for angina pectoris, hot flush, myocardial infarction, palpitations, tachycardia
Rare (less than 0.1%): Acute coronary syndrome, arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, cardiac flutter, cor pulmonale, coronary artery disease, electrocardiogram ST segment depression, electrocardiogram T wave amplitude decreased, thrombosis, ventricular extrasystoles
Frequency not reported: Cardiovascular events[Ref]
Metabolic
Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia, decreased appetite, increased appetite, weight increased
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia
Rare (less than 0.1%): Blood calcium decreased, C-reactive protein increased, hyperlipidemia, hypokalemia, polydipsia[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, back pain, myalgia, pain in extremity
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): arthritis, muscle cramp, muscle spasms, musculoskeletal chest pain, musculoskeletal pain
Rare (less than 0.1%): costochondritis, joint stiffness, muscle enzyme increased, myositis, osteoporosis[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, fatigue, malaise
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chills, pyrexia, tinnitus
Rare (less than 0.1%): Cyst, deafness, feeling cold, Meniere's disease
Frequency not reported: Accidental injury, interaction with alcohol[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, rash
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Acne, dry skin, eczema, erythema, hyperhidrosis, night sweats, urticaria
Rare (less than 0.1%): Erythema multiforme, photosensitivity, psoriasis, severe cutaneous reactions, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Frequency not reported: Serious skin reactions[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Menstrual disorder
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Erectile dysfunction, menorrhagia, nocturia, pollakiuria, polyuria, urine abnormality
Rare (less than 0.1%): Glycosuria, semen analysis abnormal, sexual dysfunction, urethral syndrome, urinary retention, vaginal discharge[Ref]
Immunologic
Common (1% to 10%): Influenza
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fungal infection, influenza like illness, viral infection[Ref]
Hepatic
Common (1% to 10%): Liver function test abnormal[Ref]
Ocular
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Conjunctivitis, eye pain, eye irritation, vision blurred, visual disturbance
Rare (less than 0.1%): Blindness transient, cataract subcapsular, dry eye, lacrimation increased, mydriasis, myopia, night blindness, ocular vascular disorder, photophobia, scleral discoloration, vitreous floaters[Ref]
Hematologic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anemia, lymphadenopathy
Rare (less than 0.1%): Leukocytosis, platelet count decreased, splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia[Ref]
Endocrine
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Thyroid gland disorders[Ref]
Renal
Rare (less than 0.1%): Acute renal failure, nephrolithiasis, urine analysis abnormal[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Rare (less than 0.1%): Angioedema
Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reactions[Ref]
Frequently asked questions
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References
1. Product Information. Chantix (varenicline). Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals Group. 2006.
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.