Champix 1 mg (Tablet)

Indications

• Aid to smoking cessation treatment

Pharmacology

• Binds with high affinity to α4β2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
• Stimulates receptor-mediated activity with lower level than nicotine
• Blocks nicotine's activation of α4β2 receptors
• Highly selective and binds more potently to α4β2 receptors than other common nicotinic receptors
• Binds moderately to the 5-HT3 receptor

Dosage

• Recommended dose is 1 mg twice daily following a 1-week titration
• Treatment for 12 weeks, with an additional course recommended for successful quitters
• Consider gradual approach for quitting smoking with Varenicline
• Encourage patients to attempt quitting sooner if they feel ready
• Consider temporary or permanent dose reduction for intolerability due to adverse events

Administration

• Oral administration
• Should be taken after eating
• Should be taken with a full glass of water

Interaction

• May increase intoxicating effects of alcohol

Contraindications

• Known hypersensitivity to varenicline or any of the product's excipients

Side Effects

• Nasopharyngitis
• Bronchitis
• Sinusitis
• Abnormal dreams
• Insomnia
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Dysgeusia
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Rash
• Pruritus
• Arthralgia
• Myalgia
• Fatigue
• Abnormal liver function test

Pregnancy & Lactation

• Category C for use in pregnancy
• Varenicline may be excreted in human breast milk

Precautions & Warnings

• Discontinue use if there are changes in behavior or thinking, agitation, depressed mood, and other adverse effects
• Consider concomitant use in patients attempting to quit smoking
• Consider patients' history of seizures or other conditions that potentially lower seizure threshold
• Monitor patients with history of psychiatric illness
• Monitor for hypersensitivity reactions and severe cutaneous reactions

Therapeutic Class

• Drugs used in substance dependence

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