Varenicline

Taking varenicline increases your chances of quitting smoking. It makes it 2 to 3 times more likely you'll be able to give up smoking long-term. It doesn't contain nicotine, which is important to some people.

In Aotearoa New Zealand varenicline is available as 0.5 mg and 1 mg tablets.  

• You'll be started off on a low dose which will be increased slowly. This decreases the chance you'll develop side effects such as nausea, and unusual dreams.
• Varenicline is usually started 1 to 2 weeks before your target quit date (the day you want to stop smoking).
• The total course is usually 12 weeks.

During the first week

• Take 0.5 mg once a day for 3 days.
• Then increase to 0.5 mg twice a day for 4 days.
• It's okay to smoke during this time. 

After the first week:

• Stop smoking on the quit date then take 1 mg twice a day for the rest of the 12 weeks.
• If you can't tolerate this dose, your healthcare provider may advise you to lower this to 0.5 mg twice a day.

Your healthcare provider may have prescribed you a different dose from this. Always take your varenicline exactly as your healthcare provider has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much varenicline to take, how often to take it, and any special instructions.

• Water: Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water.
• Food: You can take them with or without food.
• Timing:
  • If you're taking the tablets once a day, take your tablet either in the morning or the evening.
  • If you're taking your tablets twice a day, take 1 tablet in the morning and 1 tablet in the evening. Try and space your tablets 8 hours apart, eg, if you take your morning tablet at 10am, take your evening tablet after 6pm.
  • Evening doses: Don’t take your night-time dose too close to your bedtime
• Missed dose: If you forget to take your tablet, take it as soon as you remember that day. But if it's nearly time for your next tablet, just take the next tablet at the usual time. Don't take double the number of tablets.

Here are some things to know when you're taking varenicline. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.

• Other medicines: Varenicline can interact with some medicines, herbal supplements and rongoā Māori, so check with your healthcare provider before starting varenicline and before starting any new products.
• Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT): It’s not recommended to take varenicline at the same time as nicotine replacement therapy such as patches, gum and lozenges.
• Alcohol: Varenicline can make you feel drowsy or tired. Limit or avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine. Alcohol may increase these side-effects and the risk of mood changes.
• Driving: Be careful when driving or using tools until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Support: It’s more effective to take this medicine at the same time as taking part in a support programme for stopping smoking. Read more about support to help you quit smoking.
• Finish the course: Even if you’ve stopped smoking you should complete the full 12 week course of varenicline to lower the chance of you smoking again.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding: If you're planning a pregnancy or want to breastfeed talk to your healthcare provider. It’s recommended you finish the 12 week course of this medicine before becoming pregnant or starting to breastfeed.
• Pregnant: Talk to your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking varenicline.
• Second course of treatment: If you and your healthcare provider think you need it, you may be prescribed another 12 week course but there will be a cost involved as it’s not funded.

Like all medicines, varenicline can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine.

For more information on side effects see the Medsafe consumer information leaflets Varenicline Pfizer(external link).

Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.