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What is Chantix (varenicline) ?

How does Chantix work?

Chantix

• Firstly, it reduces the smoker's craving
  for nicotine by binding to nicotine receptors
  in the brain and reduces the symptoms of
  withdrawal.
• Secondly, it reduces the satisfaction
  a smoker receives when smoking a
  cigarette.

• a 0.5 mg capsular biconvex, white to off-white, film-coated tablet debossed with "Pfizer" on one side and "CHX 0.5" on the other side and
• a 1 mg capsular biconvex, light blue film-coated tablets debossed with "Pfizer" on one side and "CHX 1.0" on the other side.

Who Should Not Take Chantix (varenicline) ?

Co-administration of an OCT2 inhibitor, cimetidine (300 mg QID), with varenicline (2 mg single dose) to 12 smokers increased the systemic exposure of varenicline by 29% (90% CI: 21.5%, 36.9%) due to a reduction in varenicline renal clearance.

Creatinine is measured from the urine or the blood. Creatinine is a natural occuring waste product produced in the body. Creatinine is purged from the body by the kidneys. Clinically, creatinine clearance is a useful measure for estimating the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of the kidneys, which is used to evaluate renal (or kidney) function.

BURNING UPON URINATION AND BLOOD IN URINE

I have been on chantix since may 28th. I have not smoked since June 3rd, 2007. I swear by this stuff, and believe it definitely "helps" for those who want to quit. I also realize that it is NOT for everyone. My concern is that I went to the doctor because the past few days I have been experiencing urinating issues. I would urinate, and then feel like I had to urinate again, 2 minutes later! Then this morning, it was accomponied by burning. I have had 2 moderate pains (2 seperate occasions) the past month, with what I would describe as pains in my right lower back, or kidney area. As I said, I went to the doctor thinking it was a bladder infection, and after a urine examine, it was determined that I had a blood in my urine! Wow, shocker! He prescribed Cipro and I am to return in a week to retest. I am 36, smoked for 15 years, but otherwise, I would consider myself healthy. I also had a prostate exam during this visit, to make sure that I wasnt having any issues there. Have there been any other complaints like this, that you know of? -BPS

Kidney stones

A question from a reader regarding Chantix use:

My father is thinking about using Chantix. He has lost one kidney to cancer a few years back. He is 73 years old. He has also had prostate cancer. He is doing well now but will the Chantix pose any danger to his remaining kidney? Thank you.

• Polyuria (excessive urination).

• Nephrolithiasis (kidney stones),
• Nocturia (frequent urination at night time),
• Urine abnormality,
• Urethral syndrome (symptoms of urinary tract infection, without any evidence of bacterial or viral infection).

• Renal failure acute,
• Urinary retention (incomplete emptying of the bladder).

• Chest pain,
• Influenza like illness,
• Edema (swelling),
• Thirst.

• Chest discomfort,
• Chills,
• Pyrexia (high temperature).

• Thyroid gland disorders.

• Pancreatitis acute (inflammation of the pancreas).

• Tinnitus (sensation of ringing in ear),
• Vertigo (sensation of dizziness).

• Deafness,
• Menieres disease (inner ear disorder).

• Angina pectoris (chest pain),
• Arrhythmia (irregular heart beats),
• Bradycardia (slow heart beat),
• Ventricular extrasystoles (extra heart beats),
• Myocardial infarction (MI) (heart attack),
• Palpitations (sensation of rapid heart beats),
• Tachycardia (fast heart beat).

• Atrial fibrillation (disorder of blood pumping in the heart),
• Cardiac flutter (abnormal heart beats),
• Coronary artery disease (narrowing of the arteries feeding the heart),
• Cor pulmonale (disorder of circulation in the lungs),
• Acute coronary syndrome (disorder involving circulation to the heart).

• Anemia (low blood count),
• Lymphadenopathy(enlargement of lymph nodes).

• Leukocytosis (increased white blood count),
• Thrombocytopenia (decreased platelet count),
• Splenomegaly (enlargement of spleen).

• Hot flush (hot flashes),
• Hypertension (high blood pressure).

• Hypotensionn (low blood pressure),
• Peripheral ischemia (poor circulation),
• Thrombosis (blood clot formation).

• Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).

• Acne,
• Dermatitis (skin inflammation),
• Dry skin,
• Eczema (dry skin disorder),
• Erythema (skin redness),
• Psoriasis (irritated skin disorder),
• Urticaria (itchy skin condition).

• Photosensitivity reaction.

• Epistaxis (nose bleeds),
• Respiratory disorders.

• Asthma.

• Pleurisy (inflammation of pleura or tissue covering of the lung),
• Pulmonary embolism (abnormal clots showering lungs).

• Menstrual disorder (abnormal menses).

• Erectile dysfunction (ED).

• Sexual dysfunction.

I just happened upon your website while searching for effects of Chantix.

I too have taken this drug.

I had extreme side effects from it from gastrointestinal to psychiatric disorders.
At first I was extremely tired. I felt like I was in some kind of fog or something.
I also had horrible headaches and body aches. (I was still smoking)
The longer I took the drug, the more agitated and crazy I felt.

Menstruation has also stopped since taking Chantix. Prior to Chantix I was like clockwork, every 26 days. My last period was in August. This is October. I am 46 years of age and will be 47 in November. I realize that I am at an age that menopause could possibly be starting, however I was always very normal in that department.

While on Chantix I also experience extreme hot flashes. I felt as though I may explode at times and I would sweat profusely. It took approximately 3 weeks of being off of Chantix for the hot flashes to go away. At approximately the same time my depression and anxiety has also gone away. I’m feeling much more in focus since off of it. I almost ended my marriage towards the end of Chantix. I was that depressed and anxious. I believe that people are not warned in advance of the things this medication can do to them.

It is seen as some kind of magic cure to quit smoking. Yes, it did help me quit smoking until I stopped taking it. I am smoking again.

Immediately upon stopping Chantix I went to visit my Dr. I told her all of my side effects and I even told her I thought I was going crazy. I cried while in her office as I had been spending most of my time crying. She prescribed me an antidepressant and never said anything about the Chantix. I felt as though my concerns regarding this medication were being ignored. I never got the prescription for the antidepressant filled. I just waited and hoped for the best as the Chantix got out of my system.

I am fine now but I wish others would really check out the side effects listed prior to taking this medication. -TN

• Anxiety,
• Depression,
• Emotional disorder,
• Irritability,
• Restlessness.

• Aggression,
• Agitation,
• Disorientation,
• Dissociation,
• Libido decreased,
• Mood swings,
• Abnormal Thinking.

• Bradyphrenia (slowing of thought processes),
• Euphoric mood (happy),
• Hallucination,
• Psychotic disorder,
• Suicidal ideation (thoughts about suicide).

Let's see.. mountain climbing with my dead grandmothyer, mother and sister, being at Lindsay Lohan's Mansion and her asking me for sex, getting picked up on a work customer's personal Greyhound bus to go to his haunted house where I was then locked in the basement, and other strange vivid things not recollected long after waking up. -S

I've had flesh eating bacteria, transmission fluid in an old vacuum (huh?) burnt a hole through my parents floor 10 feet deep, that i was covered with termites, uncontrollable laughter from my husband telling me he cheated on me..strange things. Sometimes I actually look forward to them though! -Anon

• Disturbance in attention (attention disorder),
• Dizziness,
• Sensory disturbance.

• Amnesia (memory loss),
• Migraine,
• Parosmia (disorder of sense of smell),
• Psychomotor hyperactivity (inability to be still),
• Restless legs syndrome (uncontrollable urges to move the lower limbs),
• Syncope (fainting),
• Tremor.

• Balance disorder,
• Cerebrovascular accident (stroke),
• Convulsion,
• Dysarthria (motor speech disorder),
• Facial palsy (paralysis of facial muscles),
• Mental impairment,
• Multiple sclerosis,
• Nystagmus (involuntary eye movements),
• Psychomotor skills impaired,
• Transient ischemic attack (mini stroke),
• Visual field defect (partial vision loss).

I took Chantix last December of 06, for about 3 months. Side Effects: Extreme paranoya, confusion, nausea, while taking 2mg per day. Solution: I decreased the dosage to 1mg per day. Result: I stopped smoking for good. It took a while longer, but it worked with no further complications. PS: I also read the instructions very carefully and adhered to them. -C

• Arthralgia (joint pain),
• Back pain,
• Muscle cramp,
• Musculoskeletal pain,
• Myalgia (muscle pain).

• Arthritis,
• Osteoporosis.

• Myositis (muscle inflammation).

• Diabetes mellitus,
• Hyperlipidemia (high lipid levels in blood),
• Hypokalemia (low potassium levels in blood).

• Hyperkalemia (high potassium levels in blood),
• Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).

• Abnormal liver function test,
• Increased weight.

• Abnormal Electrocardiogram (EKG),
• Increased Muscle enzymes,
• Abnormal Urine analysis (UA).

• *How Does Chantix Work? Common Side Effects?*
• *Chantix Testimonials*
• *The Easy Way to Stop Smoking: Join the Millions Who Have Become Nonsmokers Using the Easyway Method*

Join the Millions Who Have Become Nonsmokers Using the Easyway Method (Audio CD).

This publications contains the opinions and ideas of its author(s). It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subjects addressed. It is written with the understanding that the author(s) is (are) not engaged in rendering medical, health, or any other kind of professional service(s). The reader should consult his or her medical, health or other competent professional before adopting any of the suggestions. The author(s) specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this site.