Champix 0.5mg/1mg 2 Week Treatment Initiation Pack

Champix (varenicline) is a prescription-only medication specifically designed to help people quit smoking. It is the most effective single-agent smoking cessation medication available, approximately tripling quit rates compared to willpower alone (around 25–35% of users remain smoke-free at 12 months). Champix works as a partial agonist at alpha-4 beta-2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain — it provides a low level of stimulation to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms while simultaneously blocking nicotine from binding if you do smoke, reducing the rewarding effect of cigarettes. Through the NHS Quit Smoking service, pharmacists can supply Champix to support your quit attempt.

Champix follows a dose escalation schedule: Days 1–3: 0.5 mg once daily. Days 4–7: 0.5 mg twice daily. Day 8 onwards (your quit date): 1 mg twice daily. The total course is usually 12 weeks. Set your quit date for day 8–14 of treatment — this allows the medication to reach effective levels before you stop smoking. Take Champix after meals with a full glass of water to reduce nausea. If you successfully quit, your prescriber may extend treatment for a further 12 weeks to reduce relapse risk.

The Champix initiation pack contains the tablets you need for the first two weeks of treatment. It includes 0.5 mg tablets (white) for the first week and 1 mg tablets (blue) for the second week, all pre-organised in a blister pack with clear day-by-day instructions. This makes the dose escalation period straightforward. After the initiation pack, you continue with 1 mg twice daily using standard Champix 1 mg tablet packs for the remaining 10 weeks.

Champix availability has been affected by a global recall in 2021 due to NDMA (nitrosamine) impurity concerns, and supply has been limited since then. However, generic varenicline and alternative formulations are being reintroduced. Check with your pharmacist or the NHS Quit Smoking service for current availability. When available, Champix/varenicline can be supplied through NHS smoking cessation services including community pharmacy.

Very common: nausea (affects around 30% of users — the most common side effect, usually mild to moderate and improves over time). Common: insomnia, abnormal or vivid dreams, headache, dizziness, taste disturbance, increased appetite, dry mouth, and flatulence. Taking Champix after food and with water significantly reduces nausea. If nausea is severe, the dose can be temporarily reduced to 0.5 mg twice daily. Most side effects diminish over the first few weeks of treatment.

Champix can be used alongside NRT (nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, etc.) if needed, although this combination should be supervised by a healthcare professional. Some studies suggest the combination may improve quit rates further. However, combining Champix with NRT may increase the risk of nausea and other side effects. Discuss with your pharmacist or prescriber whether combination therapy is appropriate for you.

Champix should be used with caution in patients with a history of psychiatric illness (depression, anxiety, psychosis), as there have been reports of mood changes and suicidal thoughts, although large studies have not confirmed a causal link. It should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Dose reduction is needed in severe kidney impairment. Tell your pharmacist about your full medical history and any medications before starting Champix.