Chantix : Complete Information

Chantix? What's it??

Chantix is a name to reckon with in the quit smoking drug category in a rather short period of time. After Zyban was introduced some ten years ago as an anti smoking drug, no drugs have been approved so far, till Chantix hit the headlines. Chantix has been introduced at a perfectly right time, when the figures and statistics of nicotine (smoking) related deaths as per the WHO reports have alarmed the medical world.

Chantix (Varenicline) is a trademark drug of Pfizer Inc. that just got the approval of the FDA on May 11, 2006 as a treatment for anti smoking in adults. Chantix is a quit smoking drug with a potential far greater than the other drugs in its category in relieving smokers from the unhealthy vice of smoking. With an approach different from other drugs in the quit smoking category, Chantix would help you to gradually give up smoking without going through any of those nerve-wrecking withdrawal symptoms. Chantix treatment is very effective if you make an educated approach.

Chantix has Varenicline (as the tartrate salt) as its main component, which is a white to off white and slightly yellow solid powder soluble in water. Chantix is a tablet meant for oral administration which is supplied in 0.5 mg and 1 mg capsular biconvex. The 0.5 mg tablet has CHX 0.5 written on one side and Pfizer on the other and is white to off white in color, while the 1 mg tablet has CHX 1.0 on one side and Pfizer on the other and has a light blue color



Chantix Precautions

Keep the following reminders in mind before you take Chantix:

* Chantix is strictly for adults above 18 years
* Chantix may be harmful to the older adults
* Chantix may be avoided if you are allergic to the ingredients

Chantix may not be suitable for certain physical or medical conditions. Consult your doctor if you plan to take Chantix under the following conditions:

* Breastfeeding. You may need to devise an alternative model to feed the baby as Chantix may get to the baby through breast milk
* Pregnant. There are chances of Chantix affecting the unborn baby
* Kidney problems. You may need to alter the Chantix dose.

Chantix may interact with chemicals present in other drugs. So, consult your healthcare provider before taking Chantix, if you are using (have used in the recent past) any of the following drugs or medicines:

* Medicines for asthma
* Diabetes medicaments like Insulin
* Vitamin
* Herbal medicines
* Blood Thinners

Always keep a record of the use of the above drugs if you are taking Chantix, as you may need to change the dose when you complete the Chantix prescription.


Chantix Dosage & Usage

You may need to know the following dosage information before taking Chantix:

* Chantix is supplied in doses of 0.5 mg (white) and 1 mg (blue) tablets
* You may start with an initial Chantix dose of 0.5 mg once a day
* You may increase the Chantix dose to 0.5 mg twice daily after 3 days
* Chantix dosage is increased to 1 mg twice daily after 7 days
* Chantix is generally taken with a glass of water after food
* Don't skip doses and double dose for missed Chantix dose

Chantix effect may vary from individual to individual, so it would be a right move to take Chantix under a doctor's supervision. However keep in mind that,

* Chantix dosage given above may not be right for everyone
* Chantix treatment may take around 12 weeks
* You may talk to your doctor if you can abstain from nicotine in the given time frame
* You can be totally smoke free, if you continue another 12 weeks of treatment after the successful completion of the initial 12 weeks course

To have a successful Chantix treatment as a part of your campaign to quit smoking, you need to set aside a "Quit Date" to put your thoughts into action. It is best to start a Chantix prescription, a week before the quit date.


Chantix Side-effects

Chantix is considered to be a quit smoking drug with a great level of efficacy in the medical circles. The long and substantial clinical trials undertaken by the medical scientists at Pfizer have proved that Chantix is indicated for the treatment of adults to quit smoking. In the trials involving 2000 smokers, who have smoked more than 21 cigarettes daily in the last 25 years, Chantix has successfully proved its efficacy. Chantix is found to be at least 4 times more effective than the most popular drugs in the quit smoking category. Chantix has no match among the smoking cessation drugs at present.

At times, certain contraindications and side effect may occur when you take Chantix. Some of the commonly occurring side effects are:

* Nausea
* Sleep disorder
* Gas
* sleeplessness
* Constipation
* Headache
* Loss of taste

Side effects of Chantix with no adverse health implications that are not mentioned above may occur infrequently or rarely. But talk to your physician if they occur repeatedly and become bothersome.

Thank you : pfizer