Varenicline (Chantix) for Quitting Smoking

Some of the common side effects include:

• Nausea and, in rare cases, vomiting.
• Vivid, strange, or unusual dreams.
• Constipation.
• Feeling sleepy.

Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you or someone around you notices that you:

• Feel anxious or nervous.
• Feel upset, tense, or edgy.
• Feel depressed or angry.
• Feel different, with unusual emotions.
• Behave in ways that are not typical for you.
• Have suicidal thoughts or actions.

Before you take varenicline, be sure to tell your doctor if you have ever had a mental illness.

FDA warning. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that varenicline (Chantix) may be linked with a small, increased risk of heart problems (including heart attack) in people who have heart disease.

The FDA also warns that people who are taking varenicline (Chantix) and who experience any serious or Reference unusual changes in mood or behavior or who feel like hurting themselves or someone else should stop taking the medicine and call a doctor right away.

Friends or family members who notice these changes in behavior in someone who is taking varenicline (Chantix) for smoking cessation should tell the person their concerns and advise him or her to stop taking the drug and to call a doctor right away.

Varenicline is not addictive. Tell your doctor about side effects that bother you or that do not go away.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

© 1995-2011, Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.