How Champix Works

How Champix Works

When cigarette smoke is inhaled, nicotine activates parts of the brain that cause a feeling of pleasure. Champix also activates the parts of the brain that cause a feeling of pleasure. The feeling of pleasure is less but importantly it lasts longer. This helps smooth out feelings of nicotine withdrawal.

Champix also blocks the effects of nicotine. So if you do have a smoke you may not enjoy it as much.

How The Programme Works

With Champix, you set a quit date but don’t have to stop smoking during the first 7 - 14 days.

1. Ease into the program with a starter pack.
2. In the first week take1 white tablet in the morning for 3 days. Then take 1 white tablet in the morning and one white tablet at night each day for 4 days.
3. From week two you take blue tablet once in the morning and once at night for the remainder of the course. Sometime in week 2, you stop smoking

Cold Turkey - Symptoms

What Happens When You Quit

Nicotine withdrawal can last 10 weeks or more. Common symptoms include The nagging desire to smoke, feeling anxious, a little angry or depressed, difficulty concentrating and irritability.

How Champix Helps

Champix takes a dual action approach. It not only helps you manage withdrawal symptoms, but can also help you not want to smoke in the first place.

Side Effects Of Champix

Nausea

Nausea affects around 30% of people and is typically mild and will often improve over time.

How To Deal With Nausea

• Begin the Champix programme with the starter pack to reduce the chance of nausea.
• Take Champix with food and water.
• With strong nausea talk to your Doctor or Pharmacist

Difficulty Sleeping

Around 14% of people had difficulty sleeping or abnormal dreams.

Why 12 Weeks

Why Does Champix Run for 12 Weeks?

It can take over 10 weeks for some nicotine withdrawal symptoms to subside. The Champix Programme is specifically designed to help you during this time.

Do I Need To Stay On Champix The Entire 12 Weeks?

If you’re feeling good after a month or so, it’s easy to think you’ve broken nicotine’s grip. Keep in mind withdrawal symptoms and cravings can reappear any time, especially within 10 weeks. That’s why it’s important to stay on Champix the entire 12 weeks.

Funding

Champix is fully funded for many smokers. Conditions apply.
Normal Doctor consultation and Pharmacy fees apply.

Am I Eligible For Funding?

To qualify for fully funded Champix the main conditions you’ll need to meet are…..

• Be over 18 and not pregnant.
• Have seriously attempted to quit smoking one of two ways before.
• Have tried with patches or gums at least twice, with the second attempt involving detailed advice on how to use them.
• Have tried and failed with medications like Zyban or Norpress.

Why It’s Important To Start Champix As Soon As You Can.

Once you’ve got your first prescription, don’t wait. You have a short window before your scripts and the funding expire. If you delay your start, you might find the course only partially funded

How to support those who stop smoking

When you’ve watched someone smoke for a number of years, you might feel just as encouraged as they do when they decide to quit. Which is great, because a smoker can use someone in their corner to help them through the ups and downs.

For people trying to quit, occasional mood swings and a bit of frustration can come with the territory. After all quitting is a challenge both mentally and physically, and it doesn’t happen overnight. It can take a while for all the benefits to become apparent.

Just be as supportive as you can. Try not to sound like a stuck record – the person quitting is well aware why they have to stop. In fact, you might not have to say much at all, it’s probably more a case of listening than anything else.

You could help by helping keep their mind off smoking. For example, people often find their sense of taste comes back when they quit, so why not cook something up and see if they notice the difference.

Maybe get them out doing something active that really gets the heart-rate going and reminds them of the fitness benefits of quitting. The aim is to help them get through the day without a cigarette and feel good about it at the same time. That way it’s easier to go another day… and another.

If a slip-up happens and they have a cigarette, don’t lose heart. They’ll probably be feeling worse about it than you. Just remember that most smokers try to quit several times before they actually manage it. The key is to be supportive either way.