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FAQs

What is CHAMPIX®?

CHAMPIX® is a prescription medicine to help adults stop smoking. CHAMPIX® helps reduce the urge to smoke.

How is CHAMPIX® different from other smoking cessation products?

CHAMPIX® doesn’t contain nicotine, but it targets the same receptors that nicotine does. Champix® is not addictive.

Who can take CHAMPIX®?

Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have kidney problems or undergo kidney dialysis. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of CHAMPIX® for you.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. CHAMPIX® has not been studied in pregnant women. It is not known if CHAMPIX® will harm your unborn baby. It is best to stop smoking before you get pregnant.
  • are breast-feeding. Although it was not studied, CHAMPIX® may pass into breast milk. You and your doctor should discuss alternative ways to feed your baby if you take CHAMPIX®.
  • have allergies to any other medicine, foods, preservatives or dyes.
  • have a history of mental illness.

 

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially, tell your doctor if you take:

  • insulin
  • asthma medicines
  • blood thinners 

 

When you stop smoking, there may be a change in how these and other medicines work for you.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them with you to show your doctor and pharmacist.

When you stop smoking your body will need time to adjust to the absence of nicotine. You may feel side effects from this.

What are the possible side effects of CHAMPIX®?
The most common side effects of CHAMPIX® include:

  • nausea
  • headache
  • isomnia
  • abnormal dreams

 

Tell your doctor about side effects that bother you or that do not go away. These are not all the side effects of CHAMPIX®. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How long should I take CHAMPIX®?

Most people will take CHAMPIX® for 12 weeks. If you have completely quit smoking by 12 weeks, ask your doctor if another 12 weeks of CHAMPIX® may help you stay cigarette-free. It's important to take CHAMPIX® as prescribed by your doctor.

What do I do if I miss a dose of CHAMPIX®?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to the time for your next dose, do not take the dose you have missed. Wait and just take your next regular dose.

What if I slip up while taking CHAMPIX®?

You may choose to smoke for the first week you are on CHAMPIX®. Make sure that you try and stop smoking on your Quit Date.  If you can not quit on your quit date or if you slip after you have quit, keep talking CHAMPIX® and try again. Some people need a few weeks for CHAMPIX® to work best.

Will my urge to smoke go away when I take CHAMPIX®?

You might still feel some urge to smoke. But it might be less than you'd have without CHAMPIX®. Remember, it's possible that you might slip up and smoke while taking CHAMPIX®. If you do, you can stay on CHAMPIX® and keep trying to quit.

 

About Liferewards

 

What is the LIFEREWARDS™ Support Plan?

LIFEREWARDS is the support programme developed to work with CHAMPIX®. LIFEREWARDS gives you ongoing support. It can help you learn to break your smoking routine.  As part of the programme you can receive regular e-mails and/or text messages providing advice and motivation. The LIFEREWARDS programme is only available to CHAMPIX® users and it is free of charge.

How can I sign up for LIFEREWARDS?

If you have prescription for CHAMPIX® and your CHAMPIX® starter pack, you can sign up for LIFEREWARDS. To sign up, go to www.liferewards.co.nz. Simply enter the batch number on the side of your starter pack and follow the enrolment process.  Importantly you will need regular access to the internet in order to fully benefit from the programme.

Why should I join LIFEREWARDS?

CHAMPIX® is proven to be effective, but it's not a magic pill. For most people, smoking is both a physical and behavioural addiction. That's why we also offer a support plan. CHAMPIX® can help reduce the cravings and withdrawal symptoms usually associated with quitting smoking and also the pleasure obtained from cigarettes leading to the urge to smoke. In general, medication used with additional support can give you a better chance of quitting smoking than doing it on your own.

 

 

CHAMPIX™ (varenicline tartrate) is a prescription medicine used to help adults 18 and over stop smoking. It can help to reduce the satisfaction you may get from smoking and the craving and withdrawal symptoms that happen while you give up smoking. It is a medicine that you need to pay for and normal doctor’s fees apply. Do not take this medicine if you are under 18 or have an allergy to the active or other tablet ingredients. Tell your doctor if you have ever had depression or other mental health problems, have kidney problems or get kidney dialysis, have a history of repeated fits or convulsions, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or, if you are breastfeeding. Some people have had changes in behaviour, mood or thinking including anxiety, psychosis, mood swings, depressed mood, agitation, aggression, hearing or sensing things that are not there, self-harm, thoughts of self-harm or harming others while they use CHAMPIX. If you or your family notice changes in your behaviour or mood that are not typical for you, stop taking CHAMPIX immediately and contact a health care professional. Some people can have allergic reactions to CHAMPIX. Some of these reactions can be life threatening and include swelling of the face, mouth and throat that can cause trouble breathing. Some people can have serious skin reactions while taking CHAMPIX. These include rash, swelling and redness of the skin that can become life threatening. Possible side effects with CHAMPIX include new or worse mental health problems, swelling or redness on parts of the face and body, nausea, headache, difficulty in sleeping, abnormal dreams, dizziness, constipation, flatulence, dry mouth and changes in taste. If you have side effects see your doctor. Always read the label and use strictly as directed. Contains varenicline 0.5mg & 1mg. Further medicine details available from your doctor or www.medsafe.govt.nz. Pfizer New Zealand LTD, Auckland.0800 736 363.