Champix is an oral tablet that’s prescribed to help you quit smoking. It contains the active ingredient, varenicline, a partial nicotine receptor agonist. It works by binding to nicotine receptors in the brain to reduce the rewarding feeling you get when you smoke cigarettes. It also relieves withdrawal symptoms and reduces cravings, making it more likely that you’ll quit for good.

Is Champix the same as varenicline?

Yes, Champix is the same as varenicline because it contains the active ingredient varenicline, which is also a generic medication. They are both available in the same dose and are taken in exactly the same way. The only difference between the two is their name, price, packaging and non-active ingredients.

The active ingredient in Champix, varenicline, works by binding to nicotine receptors in the brain to reduce cravings, relieve smoking withdrawal symptoms, and block the rewarding feelings you get from smoking a cigarette.

Varenicline does this by lowering the amount of dopamine, also known as the “feel-good hormone”, that’s released when you smoke. Usually, this dopamine release is what reinforces your smoking habit, encouraging you to continue. When you take Champix, you will not get the same feeling, making it easier to give up.

How effective is Champix for quitting smoking?

Research shows that Champix can help 44.4% of people quit smoking continuously for 4 weeks during weeks 9 to 12 of treatment, compared to 29.5% of people taking bupropion (another stop-smoking medication), and 17.7% given a placebo.

Research also shows that 44% of people continue to quit smoking from weeks 13 to 52 compared to 37% given a placebo.

Champix is a prescription-only medication, which means you will need a doctor’s approval to get it. You can request it from trusted and regulated online doctor services, or you may be able to get a generic form on the NHS.

Can I buy Champix online?

Yes, Champix is available online from reputable services, like Superdrug Online Doctor. To quit smoking with Champix and request treatment from us, this is how it works:

• fill in a brief questionnaire about your health and lifestyle
• order your preferred choice of treatment and make payment
• one of our doctors will review your order and questionnaire answers
• if your order is approved, your treatment will be posted directly to your address or made available for collection at a Superdrug Pharmacy
• if your order is not right for you, one of our doctors will contact you through your account with other suitable options

Our stop smoking service allows you to get the treatment you need to quit for good, without any face-to-face appointments. Free doctor advice is available through your patient account if you have any follow-up questions or need further support.

Can I buy Champix over the counter?

No, Champix is a prescription-only medication, so it cannot be bought over the counter. If you would prefer an over-the-counter quit smoking aid, nicotine replacement therapy, such as gum, patches, or inhalers, are available in most UK pharmacies and supermarkets without a prescription.

Can I get Champix on the NHS?

No, Champix is not available on the NHS. However, generic varenicline is. You will need to make an appointment with your doctor or a stop smoking clinician to find out if varenicline is available and if it’s suitable for you to take.

Like all medications, Champix can cause side effects, although not everyone will get them.

Very common side effects include:

• inflammation of the nose and throat
• strange dreams
• sleep issues
• headache
• feeling sick

Common side effects are:

• chest infection
• inflamed sinuses
• weight gain
• increased or reduced appetite
• sleepiness
• dizziness
• taste changes
• shortness of breath
• cough
• heartburn
• feeling sick
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• bloating
• stomach pain
• toothache
• indigestion
• flatulence
• dry mouth
• skin rash
• itching
• joint or muscle pain
• back pain
• chest pain
• tiredness

Uncommon side effects include:

• fungal or viral infection
• difficulty thinking
• restlessness
• mood swings
• depression
• anxiety
• hallucinations
• sex drive changes
• seizures
• tremors
• eye pain
• ringing in the ears
• rapid heart rate
• palpitations
• increased heart rate
• hot flush
• high blood pressure
• high blood sugar
• changes in behaviour

Rare side effects include:

• excessive thirst
• feeling unwell or unhappy
• stroke
• increased muscle tension
• speech issues
• irregular heartbeat
• throat pain
• stiff joints
• sleep walking

For a full list of side effects, you should read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication.

How long do Champix side effects last?

Most Champix side effects are mild and should improve or go away within the first few weeks of treatment.

What to do if you get Champix side effects

Most mild Champix side effects can be managed at home by:

• taking the tablets with a full glass of water
• getting some rest until you feel better
• drinking plenty of clear fluids to stay hydrated
• eating smaller, more frequent meals
• taking over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen

If you get any of the following serious side effects, you should stop taking varenicline, speak to a doctor, and call 999 in an emergency:

• seizures
• stroke
• heart attack
• suicidal thoughts
• psychosis
• changes in thinking and behaviour
• severe skin reactions
• allergic reactions (swelling of the face, mouth, or throat, and difficult breathing and/or swallowing)

Champix may not be suitable for everyone. Do not take Champix if you are allergic to varenicline or any of its other ingredients.

Before taking Champix, tell your doctor if you:

• have ever had seizures
• get changes in the way you think, like suicidal thoughts
• feel depressed or anxious
• have heart or blood vessel problems
• have a history of mental health issues

Champix and other medications

Before taking Champix, let your doctor know if you’re currently taking or plan to take any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications, including any other quit smoking therapies. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose of other medications you are taking, especially:

• theophylline
• warfarin
• insulin

If you have severe kidney disease, you must not take cimetidine at the same time as Champix.

Champix and pregnancy/breastfeeding

Ideally, you should avoid using Champix while pregnant. So, you should let your doctor know before taking it if you are or are planning to get pregnant.

Because the active ingredient in Champix can pass into breast milk, you should speak to your doctor before taking it if you’re breastfeeding.

If Champix is not right for you, there are several alternative quit smoking medications available. At Superdrug Online Doctor, we can provide:

• varenicline (generic Champix)
• Cytisine
• Zyban

Varenicline

Varenicline is the generic form of Champix. Both of them are available in the same strengths and are taken in exactly the same way. The main differences between Champix and varenicline are the branding and cost. Generic medications are generally less expensive than their branded versions.

They also contain different non-active ingredients which will not affect how the medication works, but you should check the ingredients to make sure you do not have any intolerances or allergies to them.

Cytisine

Cytisine is a prescription-only stop smoking tablet which contains the active ingredient, cytisine. It works by mimicking the effects of nicotine, making your brain think you’ve had a cigarette, and lowering the urge to smoke.

Compared to nicotine replacement therapy, cytisine effectively helped 40% of people quit smoking after 1 month.

Zyban

Zyban contains the active ingredient bupropion, an antidepressant that reduces withdrawal symptoms when you’re quitting smoking. Zyban is available as an oral tablet and can take up to 7 weeks to work completely.

Over-the-counter alternatives

Alternatives to prescription medications to help you quit smoking are over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs). NRTs come in different forms, strengths, and can be taken in different ways, such as through your mouth, nose, or on your skin.

You should not use NRTs alongside prescription quit smoking medications because they can make you feel sick.

Examples of NRTs include:

• patches – applied to your skin daily, slowly releasing nicotine
• gum – chew the gum, then rest it on the inside of your cheek to deliver nicotine
• lozenges – nicotine is delivered by sucking on the lozenge
• microtabs – small dissolvable tablets that can deliver nicotine via your mouth and throat
• inhaler – inhale nicotine through an inhaler, mimicking the hand-to-mouth habit, and works faster than gum and lozenges
• nasal spray – inhale through the lining of the nose, which mimics the same rush as smoking
• mouth spray – fast-acting spray delivering nicotine through the lining of the mouth

Some of these are more ‘slow-acting’ than others, which are ‘fast-acting’. For example, the mouth and nasal sprays are fast-acting, directly entering your bloodstream. Others, like the inhaler, mimic other addictive parts of smoking, such as hand-to-mouth, which is more slow-acting. You may choose to combine a fast-acting and a slow-acting NRT for your quit smoking journey to reduce both withdrawal and cravings.

We do not stock NRTs at Superdrug Online Doctor. If you think they may be more suitable for you, speak to a pharmacist.

Can I take a course of Champix more than once?

Yes, if your doctor feels that you may benefit from a further 12-week Champix course to help make sure you do not start smoking again. As you’re coming into the final few weeks of your treatment, speak to your doctor if you think you need more time on Champix to quit.

Is there withdrawal from Champix?

Sometimes people have similar symptoms to nicotine withdrawal when they stop taking Champix, such as irritability, agitation, difficulty sleeping, or an urge to start smoking again. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should speak to your doctor for advice.

Does Champix cause weight gain?

Yes, weight gain is listed as a common side effect of Champix. However, not everyone will experience this. Research indicates that it is a short-term side effect and typically mild, with the difference between weight gain in varenicline users and a control group after 12 weeks being -0.23kg.

However, note that when quitting smoking, you may find that your food cravings increase, especially because cigarettes can curb your hunger. If you have concerns about weight gain and cravings during this period, speak to your doctor.

Why was Champix discontinued?

Champix was temporarily discontinued in the UK from October 2021 due to a recall by its manufacturer, Pfizer, over high levels of the cancer-causing impurity ‘N-nitroso-varenicline’. This led to varenicline being withdrawn as a precaution.

Can I take Champix with other stop smoking aids?

No, you should avoid taking Champix with other stop smoking aids, including nicotine replacement therapy products like gum, patches, and inhalers, as it can increase the chance of side effects like feeling sick.

Can I take Champix with antidepressants?

It depends on your circumstances. If you are currently taking any type of antidepressant, you should speak to your doctor before starting Champix, as they can check whether the medication is suitable for you.