Buy Varenicline Tablets Online With Quick Meds

Varenicline is a prescription treatment available to help you quit smoking. It can be requested on prescription from Quick Meds.

Previously known as the branded Champix, varenlcine is a medicine used for smoking cessation. It is used by adults who struggle to quit smoking and for those who have struggled to stop with nicotine replacement such as gum and patches.

Varenicline does not contain nicotine.

The challenge people face when they decide to quit smoking is with nicotine cravings. Nicotine is an addictive substance found in cigarette tobacco. Varenicline can help by reducing nicotine cravings and helps with withdrawal symptoms when you stop smoking. These symptoms can include an urge to smoke again, feeling depressed or irritable, and difficulty sleeping.

Varenicline Tablets At A Glance

Varenicline is a medication used to help people quit smoking. It works in the brain to reduce the cravings caused by nicotine addiction, help with withdrawal symptoms once you stop and reduce the pleasure associated with smoking.

A 12 week course of the tablets, when used alongside behavioural support and a quit plan is the best course for success. When used correctly, Varenicline offers an increased chance of quitting successfully compared to nicotine replacement or placebo treatment.

What Are Varenicline Tablets?

What Is Varenicline?

Varenicline is a stop smoking medicine that comes as tablets taken by mouth. It does not contain nicotine and is licensed for use in adults only.

It is a generic version of the medicine previously sold under the brand Champix in the UK.

How Do Varenicline Tablets Help You Stop Smoking?

Varenicline works by binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain. In doing so, it blocks nicotine from binding, which helps to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. At the same time, it reduces the pleasurable effect of smoking, making cigarettes less enjoyable and easier to resist.

Those taking varenicline can therefore benefit from treatment as it reduces the urge to smoke. This can be optimised through behavioural support to adjust your lifestyle habits.

Who Are Varenicline Tablets For?

Who Can Take Varenicline?

Varenicline is indicated to help stop smoking tobacco. The aim of the treatment is to set a target quit date following which you do not smoke.

The treatment is not suitable for non-smokers, occasional-smokers or people who only vape.

Who Should Not Take Varenicline?

Varenicline is not suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, tell your doctor before starting to take varenicline if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to varenicline or any of the ingredients in it

• have kidney problems

• have ever had problems with your heart

• are pregnant or breastfeeding

• have ever had a seizure or fit

• are under 18 year old

Varenicline can worsen some conditions. These include:

• depression and other mental health conditions

• sleep problems such as insomnia

• abnormal dreams

This is not common but if you do suffer with these, speak to your healthcare provider before taking Varenicline.

A medically qualified prescriber will assess the suitability of each patient based on the online questionnaire and medical history.

Cautions and Extra Checks

Anyone with a history of depression, mental health problems, seizures or cardiovascular disease may need extra checks before taking Varenicline.

For safety it is important to list all current medicines, including over the counter medicines and herbal products, during the consultation & questionnaire.

How To Take Varenicline Tablets

Setting Your Quit Date

Treatment begins by setting your quit date - this is the date after which you will not smoke another cigarette. You would then start taking the tablets 1 to 2 weeks before the planned date, to allow the medicine to build up in your blood stream.

When choosing a date, choose a day within the next 2 weeks that is not overly stressful. Create a quit plan around this date, removing all smoking-related items, temptations and removing yourself from environments that would lead to you smoking.

Some individuals may need to reduce smoking gradually before stopping completely.

Usual Dosing Schedule

Varenicline is available as 0.5 mg and 1 mg tablets. The dose schedule is as follows:

• Take ONE 0.5 mg tablet ONCE daily for 3 days, followed by

• ONE 0.5 mg tablet TWICE daily for 4 days, followed by

• ONE 1 mg tablet TWICE daily for the remaining 11 weeks.

When taken twice daily, you should take it once in the morning and once in the evening, with or without food. The tablets should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water.

It is important to complete the full 12-week course, even if you have already quit smoking. Completing the course can increase the chance of stopping for good.

The tablets are available in two pack forms:

1. A starter pack - which contains both 0.5 mg and 1 mg tablets sufficient to titrate up to the maintenance dose.

2. A continuation pack - contains either 0.5 mg tablets only or 1 mg tablets only.

If you can't tolerate the 1mg tablet, you can use the lower-dose 0.5mg continuation pack instead

To prevent relapse into smoking the 'continuation pack' can be re-issued to ensure adherence to the smoking cessation plan. Thus, the stop smoking treatment can be continued.

Missed Doses, Stopping Treatment and Relapse

If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's less than 3 hours before your next dose is due. In this case, leave out the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Never take 2 doses at the same time and never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

Ideally do not stop taking varenicline abruptly. please consultant with a clinician first.

If you were to restart smoking after the stop-date, contact a clinician to discuss further. it may be advisable to reduce smoking and try and stop again, whilst continuing treatment.

How Effective Are Varenicline Tablets?

Evidence For Varenicline In Stopping Smoking

According to the NHS, Varenicline is the most effective medicine for helping people stop smoking.

Studies also back the Varenicline NHS findings, such as a 2013 study comparing the effectiveness of NRT (Nicotine-replacement-therapy) and Varenicline. The research suggests that Varenicline is superior to other stop-smoking methods. Another study reports that up to 45.5% of people stopped smoking with Varenicline treatment compared to 33% of those using NRT

Varenicline has been shown in clinical trials to increase the chances of quitting compared with placebo, and often compared with some NRT products.

By using Varenicline it can help support a smoking cessation plan as it reduces the urge to smoke and the rewarding effect of cigarettes, making it easier to stay smoke free.

Varenicline And Long Term Health Benefits

There are many benefits through stopping smoking. Such benefits include: better blood circulation, reduced cholesterol, better lung & breathing function and mental health improvement.

It has also been shown to directly reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as; stroke and heart attack. This also includes; lung conditions and lung cancers.

Further benefits include financial benefits and prevention of passive smoking effects on family & friends.

Side Effects And Safety Information

Common Side Effects Of Varenicline

Stopping smoking with or without treatment can lead to undesirable effects, such as withdrawal symptoms. These include depression, nausea, irritability, frustration, anxiety or weight gain.

The most common side effects associated with the treatment include nausea, headache, difficulty sleeping, cough or sore throat, abnormal dreams and changes in appetite or taste.

Other common side effects include dry mouth, dizziness, constipation, diarrhoea or drowsiness.

For most people, these symptoms are mild and settle on their own by the second week of taking the medication.

Serious Side Effects And When To Seek Help

Serious side effects are rare but can happen. These include

• An allergic reaction - including swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue and severe skin reactions

• Symptoms of a psychiatric disorder - such as depressed mood, behavioural changes, suicidal thoughts

If you have pre-existing cardiovascular problems, you may be at an increased risk of a heart attack, stroke or other circulation problems.

If you experience any of these, you should stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention by calling 999.

Interactions, Alcohol And Driving

Varenicline can interact with some other medicines. For this reason all regular medicines should be disclosed in the consultation to ensure safety as a priority.

Some who take varenicline may report feeling more affected by alcohol. If this is the case, alcohol consumption should be reduced within sensible limits of under 14 units per week or as low as possible.

Patient's must be aware that possible effects of dizziness or sleepiness can affect the ability to drive or operate machinery and if this occurs this should be avoided.

Pregnancy, Breastfeeding And Fertility

Varenicline is not recommended if you’re pregnant. This is because there is little safety information on its use in pregnancy. NRT products, such as nicotine patches and gum, can be used during pregnancy.

Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, some birth defects, premature birth, low birth weight, and some pregnancy complications. If you smoke, then it's important to get help to try to stop. Speak to your doctor, community midwife or pharmacist who will be able to help you.

Varenicline is not recommended if you’re breastfeeding. This is because it’s thought to pass to your baby through breast milk.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding, you should contact your GP.

Varenicline Versus Other Stop Smoking Treatments

Varenicline Compared With Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Studies also back the NHS findings, such as a 2013 study comparing the effectiveness of NRT and Varenicline. The research suggests that Varenicline tablets are superior to other stop-smoking methods. Another study reports that up to 45.5% of people stopped smoking with Varenicline treatment compared to 33% of those using NRT.

Thus, Varenicline can be more effective than some forms of NRT for many people, but individual results vary.

Varenicline And Other Prescription Options

There are other forms of smoking cessation medications available such as; cytisine or bupropion. please discuss with your GP for further advice regarding these.

Quick Meds currently only offers Varenicline as its prescription stop smoking treatment.

How Varenicline Tablets From Quick Meds Work

Online Consultation And Prescription

Ordering Varenicline from Quick Meds requires an online questionnaire which asks about your medical and smoking history and an I.D check

A UK registered prescriber will review your answers to decide if Varenicline is safe and suitable.

It may be that not everyone will be suitable for varenicline and that sometimes alternative advice & guidance will be given. This is to ensure patient safety as a priority.

Pharmacy Checks, Packing And Delivery

Once approved, orders are packaged appropriately to allow for discreet delivery to most UK based addresses, offering delivery as soon as by the next working day.

All reorders for follow up courses will be reviewed for clinical safety & appropriateness. These may require reviews and all orders will need a new questionnaire to be completed.

Clinical Standards And Regulation

As a GPhC-registered pharmacy, at Quick Meds we are held to GPhC and MHRA standards, ensuring all prescriptions issued are by qualified prescribers and all advise provided is evidence based.

All information on this page is based on trusted sources such as; NHS, NICE UK, SPC-UK, official patient information leaflets. However, it does not replace personalised medical advice.

Varenicline Tablets Patient Information Leaflet

Every pack of tablets includes a patient information leaflet with full instructions and safety information.

It is essential to read this leaflet carefully before starting treatment and keep it for reference.