| WHAT
IS CHANTIX? |
| Chantix
is a medical breakthrough and the first new ANTI-SMOKING prescription
approved by the FDA in almost a decade. Chantix (varenicline)
was developed by Pfizer after years of research and 6 clinical studies
in over 3,500 smokers. |
| HOW
DOES CHANTIX WORK? |
Chantix
contains the active ingredient varenicline and is based on groundbreaking
science. Quitting smoking is difficult because it is a physiological
addiction. When smokers inhale from a cigarette, nicotine binds to
the nicotinic receptors in the brain which activates the reward pathway
stimulating the pleasure center in the brain. These effects dissipate
quickly setting up a cycle of craving another cigarette. Chantix
is UNIQUE because it specifically binds to the nicotine receptors and blocks
nicotine's effect in the brain and helps break the smoking addiction in
two ways:
-
Chantix
partially activates the nicotinic receptors in the brain, and it
provides some nicotine effects reducing the severity of the smoker's craving
and the withdrawal symptoms.
-
In addition
Chantix blocks the ability of the nicotine to activate the brain receptors,
If a person smokes a cigarette while on Chantix, the sense of satisfaction
associated with smoking is diminished
|
| WILL
CHANTIX WORK FOR ME? HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO ZYBAN? |
| Chantix
is effective in helping motivated smokers to quit. The effectiveness
of Chantix was proven in 6 clinical trials in over 3,500 chronic cigarette
smokers. Almost 44% of Chantix patients were able to break
the smoking habit. Chantix works directly on the nicotine receptors
in the brain, while Zyban is actually the antidepressant Wellbutrin (bupropion)
and it acts on dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine to create less of
an urge to smoke. In clinical studies Chantix is almost twice as
effective as Zyban in helping to quit the smoking habit. |
| HOW
LONG DO I HAVE TO TAKE CHANTIX? |
The
approved Chantix treatment course is twelve weeks. If you successfully
quit smoking during this 12 week period , an additional twelve-week regimen
is prescribed to insure long-term success. Chantix
comes in white 0.5mg tablets and blue 1mg tablets which are prescribed
consecutively during the twelve week course.
-
Take Chantix
for an initial 12 week treatment program during which time you QUIT smoking
-
If you successfully
quit smoking during the first 12 weeks, a second 12 week course of treatment
with Chantix is recommended to insure long-term success!
|
|
WHEN & HOW DO
I TAKE CHANTIX?
|
-
First select
a QUIT DATE. Begin taking Chantix 7 days before the quit date you
selected. You can continue to smoke during this week while the Chantix
level builds up in your body.
-
Try to STOP
smoking on your quit date. If you slip up, keep taking the Chantix
and try again. Some smokers need a couple of weeks for Chantix to
work the best.
-
Always take
Chantix after eating with a full 8 oz glass of water.
-
Chantix comes
in 0.5 mg white tables and 1mg blue tablets. Start with the white
tablet first
-
Day 1 - 3:
Take one 0.5 mg white tablet each day
-
Day 4 - 7:
Take one 0.5mg white tablet twice a day, one in the morning and one
in the evening
-
Day 8 - end
of treatment: Take one 1mg blue tablet twice a day, one in the morning
and one in the evening
-
Chantix should
be taken for the full 12-week course. If you successfully quit smoking
during this time, you should continue with another 12 week course to increase
the likelihood of long-term success.
-
If you do not
succeed in stopping smoking during the 12 weeks of initial therapy, do
not keep continuing to take a 12 week course. You should wait until
factors contributing to the failed attempt have been identified and addressed
and then make another attempt with Chantix.
-
If you successfully
quit and later have a relapse, you can try again to quit smoking with a
12-week Chantix regimen
|
| WHAT
IF I MISS A DOSE? |
| If you
miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to the
time for your next dose, just wait and take your next regular dose. |
| WHAT
ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF CHANTIX? |
| Chantix
is generally well tolerated. Nausea is the most common side effect
experienced initially by about 30% of patients.
Other side
effects:
Rare side
effects:
respiratory, cardiac disorders, blood and lymphatic disorders
Please
note: With or without treatment, you most likely will experience
some nicotine withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking.
Stop taking
Chantix and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an
allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, closing of the throat,
swelling of the lips, tongue or face. There is always the potential
for a rare life-threatening side effect. Always seek immediate emergency
medical attention if you experience severe symptoms of any nature. |
| CAN
I COMBINE CHANTIX WITH ZYBAN OR NICOTINE PATCHES ETC? |
NO!
Although there are no known drug interactions with Chantix, the safety
of combining Chantix with other smoking cessation therapies such as Zyban
(bupropion) or other over the counter smoking cessation methods such as
the nicotine patch have NOT been thoroughly studies. Preliminary
studies have shown an increase in side effects when combining nicotine
patches with Chantix.
DO NOT
COMBINE CHANTIX WITH ANY OTHER FORM OF STOP SMOKING THERAPY OTHER THAN
COUNSELING! |
| WHAT
IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ABOUT CHANTIX?? |
Chantix is
for adults age 18 and older
Chantix active
ingredient: varenicline
Chantix inactive
ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate,
croscarmellose sodium, colloidal silicon dioxide, and magnesium
Even though
Chantix has not been shown to have any known drug interactions, smoking
cessation can have significant effects on the effectiveness of medication
such as INSULIN, ASTHMA MEDICATION AND BLOOD THINNERS - WARFARIN AND COUMADIN.
If you are
on INSULIN, ASTHMA MEDICATION OR BLOOD THINNERS - you need DIRECT
physician monitoring and adjustments to your medication. Failure
of direct physician monitoring can have serious to fatal consequences.
Store Chantix
at room temperature
ALWAYS
KEEP CHANTIX AND ALL MEDICATIONS OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
|
WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE
CHANTIX?
WHAT ARE THE CONTRAINDICATIONS
FOR CHANTIX?
|
-
Children under
age 18 should NOT take Chantix
-
Do NOT take
Chantix if you are allergic to any of the active or inactive ingredients
listed above.
-
Do NOT take
Chantix if you have kidney problems, kidney disease or are on dialysis.
-
Do NOT take
Chantix if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
-
Do NOT take
Chantix unless you are under DIRECT physician supervision and monitoring
if you are taking INSULIN, ASTHMA MEDICATION OR BLOOD THINNERS SUCH AS
COUMADIN OR WARFARIN.
|
| CONTRAINDICATIONS:
In order to proceed to the medical consultation, you must proceed to the
next page and read the contraindications and verify that you do not have
any of the contraindications and understand that any pregnant or potentially
pregnant woman or women who are breast feeding should NOT take Chantix.
Under NO
circumstance is any child under the age of 18 to take Chantix. |
|
|
Questions
and Answers