Generic name: varenicline [ ver-EN-e-kleen ]
Brand names: Chantix, Chantix Starter Pack, Chantix Continuing Month, Tyrvaya
Dosage form: oral tablet (0.5 mg; 0.5 mg-1 mg; 1 mg)
Drug class:Smoking cessation agents
What is varenicline?
Varenicline is a smoking cessation medicine. It is used together with behavior modification and counseling support to help you stop smoking.
Varenicline may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
When you stop smoking, you may have nicotine withdrawal symptoms with or without using medication such as varenicline. This includes feeling restless, depressed, angry, frustrated, or irritated.
Stop taking varenicline and call your doctor if you have if you feel depressed, agitated, hostile, aggressive, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Do not drink large amounts alcohol. Varenicline can increase the effects of alcohol or change the way you react to it.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use varenicline if you used it in the past and had:
a serious allergic reaction--trouble breathing, swelling in your face (lips, tongue, throat) or neck; or
a serious skin reaction--blisters in your mouth, peeling skin rash.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
depression or mental illness;
a seizure;
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
heart or blood vessel problems; or
if you drink alcohol...
