Chantix

Chantix, the brand name for varenicline, is a prescription medication approved for smoking cessation in adults. It is not a nicotine replacement product. Varenicline works by acting on nicotinic receptors in the brain to reduce withdrawal symptoms and lessen the rewarding effects of tobacco, increasing the chances of quitting when combined with behavioral support.

Mechanism: Varenicline is a partial agonist at the α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. By providing modest receptor stimulation, it eases cravings while blocking nicotine from delivering its full reinforcement if a person smokes while taking the drug.

Dosing and administration: Treatment is typically started before or on the quit date. The standard titration is 0.5 mg once daily on days 1–3, 0.5 mg twice daily on days 4–7, and 1 mg twice daily from day 8 onward. It is generally taken after meals to minimize nausea. A usual course lasts 12 weeks; a second 12-week course may be considered for additional quitting benefit.

Efficacy: Randomized trials show Chantix increases abstinence rates compared with placebo and can be more effective than some other cessation aids, particularly when combined with counseling.

Safety and adverse effects: Common side effects include nausea, sleep disturbances such as insomnia and abnormal dreams, headache, constipation, and vomiting. Some people report altered taste. Neuropsychiatric events, including mood changes and, rarely, suicidality, have been reported; warnings exist in labeling and patients should be monitored for mood or behavior changes, especially if there is a psychiatric history. Renal impairment requires dose adjustments. Pregnancy category C; use during pregnancy should involve careful risk-benefit assessment.