How Does Chantix Work for Smoking Cessation?
Key takeaways:
Chantix (varenicline) is a prescription medication that can help you quit smoking. It works by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms while making smoking less enjoyable.
Chantix may take a week or longer to start working. So it’s recommended to start taking it at least 1 week before your planned quit date.
Most people take Chantix for at least 12 weeks. If you successfully quit smoking after this period, your prescriber may recommend an additional 12 weeks of treatment to help you stay smoke-free.
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Table of contents
Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your health. Although it can be challenging, there are many resources available to help. Chantix (varenicline) is a first-choice medication option for people who want to quit smoking.
So how does Chantix work? And how quickly will you feel the effects? In this article, pharmacists answer these questions and more.
Brand-name Chantix was discontinued in 2021. But generic versions (varenicline) are still available. Since the name Chantix is well-known, we’ll continue using it throughout this article.
1. How does Chantix work?
Chantix helps you quit smoking by reducing nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It also makes smoking cigarettes less satisfying. Chantix does this by partially stimulating the same receptors (binding sites) in the brain that nicotine targets, and by blocking nicotine from fully activating them.
When you smoke, nicotine binds to receptors in the brain and triggers the release of dopamine, a chemical that creates feelings of pleasure. This dopamine surge reinforces the urge to smoke. Over time, your brain becomes dependent on this effect, and going without nicotine can cause withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, hunger, or trouble focusing.
Chantix works in two ways:
It partially activates nicotine receptors, releasing enough dopamine to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings but without the full rewarding effect of smoking.
It also blocks nicotine from attaching to those receptors. So if you smoke while taking Chantix, the experience is less enjoyable. This helps reduce the desire to keep smoking.
By combining both actions, Chantix makes it easier to quit smoking by managing cravings and removing much of the reward associated with smoking.
2. How long does Chantix take to work?
Chantix can take a week or longer to start reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. That’s why it’s recommended to start taking it at least 1 week before your quit date. Some research suggests that starting Chantix more than 1 week before your quit date may help you gradually reduce smoking leading up to it.
After each dose, Chantix is fully absorbed in the body within a few hours. Steady levels are reached after about 4 days of consistent use. Some people may notice benefits sooner, but it can take several days to a week or longer to feel the full effects.
What’s it like to take Chantix? Learn how one woman credits Chantix for her success with quitting smoking.
Chantix side effects: If you’re having vivid or strange dreams with Chantix, you’re not alone. Learn more about possible Chantix side effects and how to manage them.
Is varenicline safe? Here, pharmacists discuss several key considerations about the risks of taking Chantix.
Why was brand-name Chantix recalled? Read about the 2021 Chantix recall and other options to help you quit smoking.
To get the most benefit, it’s best to take Chantix every day as prescribed, even if you’ve already started reducing how much you smoke. Consistent use increases your chances of quitting successfully.
If you end up smoking while taking Chantix, don’t get discouraged. Talk to your prescriber about continuing Chantix. It’s considered more effective than quitting “cold turkey” and often works better than some other medication options, such as sustained-release bupropion (previously Zyban). If needed, your prescriber may suggest adding a nicotine replacement product, such as gum or lozenges, to help with cravings.
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, so keep working at it. Consider joining a smoking cessation program or working with a trained expert to increase your chances of success.
3. How long does Chantix last in the body?
After your last Chantix dose, most of the medication is cleared from your body within about 5 days. This is because Chantix has a half-life of approximately 24 hours, meaning that it takes about 1 day for your body to eliminate half of the medication.
Despite its long half-life, you’ll usually take Chantix twice a day. This is because dividing the total daily dose into two smaller doses helps reduce side effects such as nausea. Chantix is also more effective when taken twice a day.
4. How long do you need to take Chantix?
Chantix is FDA approved for a standard course of 12 weeks (3 months). If you successfully quit smoking after this period, your prescriber may recommend an additional 12 weeks of treatment (for a total of 24 weeks or 6 months) to help you stay smoke-free.
While some research suggests that longer-term use may be helpful for certain people, Chantix is only approved for up to 24 weeks of use. In certain cases, your prescriber may consider having you take Chantix for longer based on your progress and needs.
If you haven’t quit after the initial 12 weeks, your prescriber can help you identify and address barriers to quitting and may suggest another attempt to quit smoking.
The bottom line
Chantix (varenicline) is medication that helps people quit smoking by both reducing cravings and making cigarettes less satisfying. It can take a week or longer for Chantix to start working.
Most people take Chantix for at least 12 weeks (3 months). Those who quit successfully may continue taking it for another 12 weeks to help them stay smoke-free. For best results, take Chantix twice daily as prescribed.
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References
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Choi, H. K., et al. (2021). The current state of tobacco cessation treatment. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine.
Ebbert, J. O., et al. (2010). Varenicline for smoking cessation: Efficacy, safety, and treatment recommendations. Patient Preference and Adherence.
Hajek, P., et al. (2011). Use of varenicline for 4 weeks before quitting smoking: Decrease in ad lib smoking and increase in smoking cessation rates. JAMA Internal Medicine.
Itani, T., et al. (2019). Long-term effectiveness and safety of varenicline and nicotine replacement therapy in people with neurodevelopmental disorders: A prospective cohort study. Scientific Reports.
Livingstone-Banks, J., et al. (2023). Nicotine receptor partial agonists for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Nides, M., et al. (2006). Smoking cessation with varenicline, a selective α4β2 nicotinic receptor partial agonist: Results from a 7-week, randomized, placebo- and bupropion-controlled trial with 1-year follow-up. JAMA Internal Medicine.
Sansores, R. H., et al. (2016). Use of varenicline for more than 12 months for smoking cessation in heavy chronic obstructive pulmonary disease smokers unmotivated to quit: A pilot study. Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease.
Tonstad, S., et al. (2020). Varenicline: Mode of action, efficacy, safety and accumulated experience salient for clinical populations. Current Medical Research and Opinion.
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