Varenicline is a tablet that can help you quit smoking. Although it does not contain nicotine, the active ingredient, varenicline, binds to the same receptors in the brain as nicotine, reducing that rewarding feeling you get when you smoke a cigarette. This in turn minimises cravings and withdrawal symptoms, helping you to quit smoking.

Varenicline works in the same way as Champix which is no longer available. Varenicline is a prescription-only medication, so you will need a doctor’s approval to get it.

Varenicline binds to the nicotine receptors in the brain, reducing the cravings and withdrawal symptoms you might experience when you give up smoking.

By binding to these receptors, a smaller amount of dopamine is released, the same rewarding chemical smoking releases to reinforce the habit, helping you to quit more easily. This means when you smoke while taking it, you won’t get the same satisfying feeling as before. It’s advised to quit smoking between days 7 and 14 of treatment.

How effective is varenicline?

Varenicline can help 44.4% of people quit smoking within the first 4 weeks of treatment compared to 29.5% taking bupropion and 17.7% using a placebo.

A further trial found 70% of people abstained from smoking when taking varenicline between weeks 13 and 24 compared to almost 50% given a placebo.

Varenicline tablets are available online from trusted online services like Superdrug Online Doctor or they may be available on the NHS. In both cases, you will need a prescription from a doctor to obtain them.

Can I buy varenicline online?

Yes, you can buy varenicline tablets online. You can request varenicline from Superdrug Online Doctor.

1. Fill out a brief health and lifestyle questionnaire.
2. Order your preferred treatment and make payment.
3. One of our doctors will review your order and questionnaire answers.
4. If approved, your treatment will be posted to your address or made available for collection at your local Superdrug Pharmacy.
5. If your order is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with other treatment options.

Can I buy varenicline over the counter?

No, varenicline is a prescription-only medication so you will need a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional to get it.

Can I get varenicline on the NHS?

Varenicline is available on the NHS, but you’ll need to make an appointment with your doctor or a prescribing stop smoking clinician first, so they can assess your suitability.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• increased weight
• decreased appetite
• increased appetite
• chest infection
• inflammation of the sinuses
• dizziness
• sleepiness
• changes to the way things taste
• cough
• shortness of breath
• heartburn
• vomiting (being sick)
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• feeling bloated
• abdominal pain
• toothache
• indigestion
• flatulence
• dry mouth
• itching
• skin rash
• muscle ache
• joint pain
• back pain
• chest pain

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• viral infection
• fungal infection
• difficulty thinking
• feeling of panic
• restlessness
• depression
• mood swings
• anxiety
• hallucinations
• changes to sex drive
• seizures
• feeling sluggish
• tremors
• less sensitive to touch
• eye pain
• conjunctivitis
• ringing in the ears
• rapid heart pain
• angina
• palpitations
• increase in heart rate
• increase in blood pressure
• hot flushes
• inflammation in the sinuses, nose, and throat
• congestion in the nose, throat, and chest
• hoarseness
• hay fever
• throat irritation
• congested sinuses
• runny nose
• excess mucus from the nose causing coughing
• irritated stomach
• blood in the stools
• change of bowel habits
• belching
• mouth ulcers
• pain in the gums
• acne
• increased sweating, night sweats
• chest wall pain
• muscle spasms
• abnormally frequent urination
• urination by night
• increase in the menstrual flow
• chest discomfort, flu-like illness, fever
• feeling weak or unwell
• high blood sugar
• heart attack
• having suicidal thoughts
• changes to behaviour

Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1000 people)

• slow thinking
• excess thirst
• feeling unhappy or unwell
• increase in tension in the muscles
• difficulty with speech, with coordination
• deduced sense of taste
• altered sleep pattern
• disturbed vision
• discolouration to the eyeball
• dilated pupils, sensitivity to light
• watery eyes, shortsightedness
• irregular heartbeat, or heart rhythm
• throat pain
• snoring
• increase in urine volume and frequency
• glucose in urine
• vaginal discharge
• changes in sexual ability
• cyst
• feeling cold
• diabetes
• sleepwalking
• unable to think and judge clearly
• abnormal behaviour
• severe skin reactions
• serious allergic reactions

As with all medication, varenicline may cause side effects, however, not everyone will experience them. For an up-to-date list of potential side effects, you should read the patient information leaflet that is supplied with your medication.

How long do varenicline side effects last?

Most varenicline side effects are mild and should improve or resolve within the first few weeks of treatment.

What to do if you get varenicline side effects

If you experience mild varenicline side effects there are several things you can do to help manage them at home:

• feeling sick (nausea) – take varenicline with a full glass of water, get some rest, and stay hydrated. You may need to discuss reducing your dose with your doctor.
• headaches – you can manage these with over-the-counter painkillers and by drinking plenty of fluid throughout the day.

If you’re worried about side effects, talk to your doctor.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking varenicline and call 999 or get someone to take you to A&E:

• seizure
• stroke
• heart attack
• suicidal thoughts
• changes in judgement, thinking, or behaviour
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, gums, throat, or body
• breathing difficulty/wheezing
• develop a rash or your skin starts to peel or blister

You should not use varenicline if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.

You should talk to your doctor or health care professional before taking varenicline if you:

• have experienced seizures
• experience changes to your thinking like suicidal thoughts
• feel depressed or anxious
• have a history of mental health problems
• have cardiovascular problems

Varenicline and other medicines

Before taking varenicline, let your doctor know if you are taking any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications.

You should avoid taking cimetidine, a medication used for gastric issues at the same time as varenicline if you have severe kidney disease.

Your doctor may need to adjust your dose of the following medications while taking varenicline:

• theophylline
• warfarin
• insulin

Varenicline in pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, you should speak to your doctor or a healthcare professional for advice before taking varenicline.

Varenicline and driving

Varenicline can cause dizziness, sleepiness, or a loss of consciousness. You should assess how varenicline affects you before driving or operating machinery.

Varenicline is not the only quit smoking medication available. As Superdrug Online Doctor, we offer the following:

• Zyban
• Cytisine

Zyban

Zyban contains the active ingredient bupropion, a type of antidepressant which has been found to help people give up smoking. How it helps is not entirely known but similar to varenicline, bupropion reduces nicotine withdrawal symptoms, making it easier to quit.

Cytisine

Cytisine is a daily oral tablet that works by mimicking the effects of nicotine by attaching to nicotine receptors in the brain, reducing the urge to smoke. Research shows that cytisine increases the chances of quitting smoking by more than two-fold compared to a placebo.

Medication is not the only resource available to quit smoking. Other services include:

• smoking support groups
• nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
• e-cigarettes and vapes

Is varenicline safe?

Varenicline is considered to be a safe and effective quit smoking medication. However, you should speak to your doctor if you have any existing health conditions, such as heart disease, before taking varenicline as it may not be suitable for you.

What happens if you smoke when taking varenicline?

Varenicline treatment is intended to start when you are still smoking. It works by competing with nicotine to bind to its receptors in the brain, helping you to quit. You will need to set a quit date for between 7 and 14 days of your varenicline treatment. If that isn’t possible for you, you should reduce the amount you smoke during the first 12 weeks of treatment and quit by the end.

Does varenicline cause weight gain?

Weight gain is a common side effect of varenicline. However, not everyone will experience it and research shows weight gain is modest, not long-term, and is no different to the weight gained during placebo treatment. Quitting smoking can also lead to an increase in appetite, so this could also be a side effect of quitting rather than the medication.

Is varenicline the same as Champix?

Almost. Varenicline and Champix are the same medication, except Champix is a branded medication whereas varenicline is the generic version. Champix is no longer available but varenicline contains the same active ingredient, in the same dosage, and works in exactly the same way. The difference is the inactive ingredients contained in the treatments.

Can I take a course of varenicline more than once?

Yes, if you do not succeed in quitting smoking or return to smoking you can use another course of varenicline. After 12 weeks of treatment, your doctor may prescribe a further 12-week course to help you continue quitting.