Quit Smoking With Champix

Get your Champix treatment* online in a few simple steps, without having to see your doctor. Our virtual care service connects you to highly trained clinicians who can assess your health needs and safely prescribe your treatment.

* Includes Free Private Prescription & Consultation
Champix 0.5mg-1mg medication pack
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MEDICAL INFORMATION

Champix Key Facts

Dr Itesham SabriGreen tick
Medically reviewed by Ihtesham Sabri
Written by

History
October 14, 2025 (Current Version)
September 10, 2025
Written by
Medically Reviewed by
August 8, 2025
Written by
Medically Reviewed by

Report suspected side effects or adverse reactions to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) using the Yellow Card Reporting system that covers medicines, vaccines, e-cigarettes and medical device incidents.

Learn more about reporting side effects in the UK

The FDA's medical product safety reporting program for health professionals, patients and consumers.

Learn more about reporting side effects in the US

Other known brand names

Chantix (USA)

About Champix

Champix contains the active ingredient varenicline and is used to help adults stop smoking. It works by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and by blocking the rewarding effects of nicotine. Champix is a prescription-only medication and is typically used as part of a multi-disciplinary comprehensive smoking cessation program.

NowPatient offers Champix as a treatment for smoking cessation following an online consultation with a prescriber.

Key facts about Champix

  • Used to help adults stop smoking by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms
  • Common side effects include nausea, insomnia, and vivid dreams
  • Should not be taken with nicotine replacement therapies unless under medical advice sought
  • Works by binding to nicotine receptors in the brain to reduce the satisfaction gained from smoking

Who is Champix suitable for?

Champix is suitable for adult patients (18 and over) who want to quit smoking and have been assessed by a clinician as appropriate candidates for this type of treatment.

Who is Champix not suitable for?

Champix may not be suitable for you if you:

  • Have a history of mental health conditions, including depression or suicidal thoughts or intent
  • Have severe kidney disease (a dose adjustment may be necessary)
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Are allergic to varenicline or any of the ingredients in Champix

Always speak with a NowPatient prescribing clinician to ensure this treatment is appropriate for you.

How and where to get Champix

You can buy Champix safely and securely through NowPatient. Start a free online consultation today. If you qualify for treatment, you’ll only pay for the medication. Your prescription will be delivered to your home or office by our licensed pharmacy.

Our service is certified, safe and clinically effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with a prescribing clinician for the stop smoking service, you can discuss if Champix is a suitable treatment option for you.

At the end of your consultation, the clinician will decide if Champix is suitable for you, involving you of course in the decision. If approved, you’ll receive a prescription which can then be ordered and delivered directly to your chosen address.

Dosage and strength for Champix for smoking cessation

Champix is available in 0.5 mg and 1 mg film-coated tablets.

A typical dosing schedule is:

  • Days 1 to 3: 0.5 mg once daily
  • Days 4 to 7: 0.5 mg twice daily
  • Day 8 onward: 1 mg twice daily for 11 weeks

Treatment generally lasts 12 weeks, with the option to continue for another 12 weeks to maintain abstinence if successful.

What happens if you use too much Champix?

Taking more than the prescribed dose will not help you quit smoking faster and may increase the risk of side effects. Overdose can cause nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms. If you take too much, seek medical advice immediately.

What are the side effects of Champix?

Common side effects include:

  • Nausea
  • Vivid dreams or difficulty sleeping
  • Headache
  • Nasopharyngitis
  • Increased weight, decreased appetite, increased appetite

More serious side effects include:

  • Mood changes or depression
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Seizures
  • Allergic reactions (e.g., swelling of the face, mouth, or throat)
  • Breathing difficulties

If you experience any serious side effects, contact NHS 111 urgently.

If you suspect a severe allergic reaction, call emergency services on 999 immediately:

  • Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
  • You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
  • Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
  • Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
  • You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
  • Someone faints and cannot be woken up

Always report adverse effects to the MHRA Yellow Card reporting system. You can read more about this here: How and where do I report side effects of my medication?

Information about using Champix with other medications

Champix may interact with:

  • Alcohol (can increase the risk of mood changes or aggressive behaviour please note)
  • Other smoking cessation treatments (e.g., nicotine patches or gum)
  • Medications for mental health conditions

Tell your prescribing clinician about all other medications you’re using to avoid potential interactions.

Why might Champix not work for smoking cessation?

Champix may not work if:

  • You don’t take it regularly as prescribed
  • The dose is not right for you
  • You experience intolerable side effects
  • Psychological or behavioural triggers are not addressed

Support through counselling, behavioral therapy and talking therapies can help improve success rates.

Can Champix be used long term?

Champix is typically used for 12 weeks. If you successfully quit smoking, your clinician may recommend continuing treatment for another 12 weeks to help prevent relapse. Long-term use beyond this should only be done under medical supervision.

How to store Champix

  • Keep Champix out of the sight and reach of children
  • Store at room temperature below 30°C
  • Do not use after the expiry date printed on the pack
  • Do not dispose of Champix in household waste. Return any unused medication to your pharmacist to help protect the environment

Is there a herbal Champix?

No. There is no herbal version of Champix. Any product claiming to be a “herbal Champix” is likely counterfeit and potentially unsafe.

Should I avoid any particular food or drink when using Champix?

There are no specific food restrictions while taking Champix. However, avoid excessive alcohol, as it may increase the risk of mood changes or behavioural side effects.

What lifestyle changes can I make to help with quitting smoking?

To improve your chances of success:

  • Avoid known smoking triggers
  • Stay hydrated and eat regular meals
  • Exercise regularly to reduce stress
  • Use behavioural support, counselling & CBT via talking therapies.
  • Set a quit date and tell friends or family for accountability

Alternatives to Champix

Other treatments for quitting smoking include:

  • Nicotine Replacement Therapy (patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers)
  • Bupropion (Zyban)
  • Behavioral support or stop smoking clinics

Medical Disclaimer

NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.

The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.

Service Guide

Everything You Need to Know About Getting Treated Privately With Champix

What does the Get Treated Privately service for Champix do?

The Get Treated Privately service is a private prescribing service which is designed for adults aged 18 years and over, who are experiencing health issues and who would like to receive a fast-track assessment and if applicable, a treatment plan from a qualified prescribing clinician. Treatments for Champix are dispensed and delivered to your home or workplace from our regulated online pharmacy.

Is this a safe Champix prescribing service?

Yes. Our formulary of medications prescribed and conditions treated are controlled, governed, and continuously risk-assessed by our Medical Director, Dr Ihtesham Sabri. Unlike other prescribing services which operate using faceless questionnaires, our Champix prescribing service is conducted through remote video consultations, also known as synchronous consultations. This builds patient safety and prescribing appropriateness into our service, ensuring our prescribing clinicians can be satisfied with who and what they are treating. There is no guarantee of supply of medications, and any prescriptions supplied are at the sole discretion of our clinician prescriber. There is no charge for the Champix consultation.

What is a prescribing clinician and is it safe for me to use them on the NowPatient platform?

Our prescribing clinicians are board-certified pharmacists, nurses, or doctors who can also prescribe any medicine for any medical condition, subject to accepted accreditation and good clinical practice. They are all registered with their respective regulatory bodies. For example, a pharmacist independent prescriber is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Each prescribing clinician undergoes an extensive background check including a disclosure and barring service check (DBS). In addition, they undergo a rigorous license verification process. When you book an appointment with our prescribing clinicians you will see their full name, license number, and any specialized credentials they have.

Is the service available worldwide?

Yes, you can get treated privately for Champix worldwide.

Do I need to pay for this service?

Yes. This is a private service. You do not need to pay for the consultation. You only pay for the cost of the Champix you are prescribed.

How do I book a consultation?

Once you have logged into your account, you will need to navigate to the Get Treated Privately service card which is located as a service item on the dashboard.

Using the action button on the service card, you can select one of the following – ‘Search Treatments’ or ‘Search Conditions’. From here you can search for Champix.

Depending on the search type and the product/condition that you would like to get treated, you will be taken to a consultation booking screen. Follow the simple steps to complete your booking. During the booking confirmation, you will be able to select a date and time that is convenient for you, along with the preferred language and gender of the prescribing clinician you wish to choose. You will then see a list of all available expert clinicians who are trained to assess the medication or condition chosen. Once you have confirmed your booking, you will see a summary of the appointment including preliminary information about the consultation. At this point, you will also be able to add a reminder to your calendar. Always ensure your account health profile is up to date before any consultation. This ensures that our clinicians have the most up-to-date information about your current health status and anything that may influence their prescribing decisions. You will receive a push notification, SMS notification and email reminding you of your consultation, 30 minutes before the virtual consultation is due to start.

Depending on certain medications which require our clinicians to have your up-to-date blood pressure readings, you may be required to submit a virtual blood pressure check, using your smartphone or device. We will provide you with full instructions, when this is required.

What happens during the remote video consultation?

During the consultation, the clinician will ask you a series of questions that will allow the clinician to assess your condition and potential treatment options including Champix. At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if Champix is a safe and suitable option for you.

If it is, the clinician will discuss the treatment option, so that you can jointly agree on the treatment plan. Once you have jointly agreed on a treatment plan, the clinician will issue a prescription for Champix which will be available in your Cart at the end of the consultation.

Also, with your consent, the clinician may wish to inform your doctor of the treatment that was prescribed. We recommend that you agree to this since your doctor is responsible for your overall care and they should have a record of this consultation and medication prescribed. In addition, our clinician may take the opportunity to advise you on your overall health including advice on healthy living or stop smoking.

What happens at the end of the Champix consultation?

At the end of the consultation, you will receive a notification which will summarise the outcome. It will also advise you if any referrals were made to your doctor, along with any other advice that was given to you by the clinician.

If a referral letter was issued to your doctor, you will be able to view a copy of this in the ‘Documents’ section of the dashboard.

If you were prescribed a treatment, it will now be available in your Cart.

When you go to your Cart, you will be able to select the treatment, checkout and make payment. Once the checkout is complete, your prescription order will be sent to our regulated online pharmacy for processing.

What if the prescriber does not prescribe Champix?

We operate a safe prescribing service. This means that our prescribing clinicians always exercise their clinical judgment when prescribing . Unfortunately, we do not operate a self select service where you can choose a medication and simply buy. If the clinician that sees you does not prescribe anything, then you will not be charged.

Will I get status updates for my Champix order?

Yes. When your Champix prescription is approved, and after you have checked out and paid for your order, we will keep you fully updated with the status of your order. Every time the status of your order changes, you will be notified immediately. These notifications will appear in the ‘Notification Feed’ section on the dashboard.

How will my Champix be delivered?

All orders are shipped in discreet and unmarked packaging. This means it is suitable for delivery wherever you require (home, work, or a neighbour).

For thermo-sensitive orders (e.g. Insulin or weight loss injections) we use cold chain-validated packaging. Your parcel will normally receive an estimated delivery window from the courier on the day of delivery.

For your protection and safety, your first order can only be delivered to the address that is registered with NowPatient. Future orders can be delivered to any other address, for example, your workplace.

Do you ship cold-chain or temperature sensitive products?

Yes. We use a specialist courier service for all thermo-sensitive deliveries. This is to ensure that cold chain integrity is always maintained and thus the product quality, safety and efficacy.

Learn more about how we handle the delivery of temperature sensitive products.

Where do you deliver?

We currently deliver to all postcodes/zipcodes worldwide. Some postcodes in rural areas may have a slightly longer delivery time.

When will my order arrive?

We aim to ship all orders placed Monday – Friday before 3pm on the same day. Orders placed outside these times will be shipped the next working day. All deliveries are shipped by Royal Mail, which delivers Monday through Saturday in the UK. For deliveries outside of the UK, please check with your national postal service for accurate delivery days.

Our delivery options have the following delivery times:

  • UK – Royal Mail Tracked 24 & Signed for Delivery – Next day delivery
  • Europe – Royal Mail Tracked – Typical delivery of 3-5 working days
  • Worldwide – Royal Mail – Typical delivery of 5-7 working days. If a tracked option is available for your country via Royal Mail, this service will be applied.

What should I do if my order has not arrived?

Delivery is normally made promptly after your dispatch notification is received. You can check the tracking details of your Champix order in the ‘Notification Feed’ section of the dashboard, at any point after dispatch.

Unfortunately, packages can sometimes get lost in the delivery system. If after 10 days you have not received your delivery, please contact us and we will do all we can to resolve the problem.

Can you prescribe GLP-1 weight loss injections?

Yes. However, with GLP-1 weight loss medications, the license requires that there are support resources put in place as part of the plan including coaching for a healthy lifestyle, exercise, and diet. Our clinicians will discuss this with you, if you are prescribed this type of treatment.

You can learn more on our Weight Loss Programs feature page.

What’s included with my order?

If you are ordering prescription medication, your order will contain your medication only.

If you are ordering weight loss injections, your order will contain:

  • Your prescription of pre-filled weight loss injection pens
  • Needles
  • Sharps bin for safe disposal of needles (if ordered as part of the bundle)

Can I reorder my medication, if I have already been prescribed a course?

Yes. However, as a responsible prescribing service, we do not issue more than one monthly cycle of medication at a time.

This means that, if you would like to reorder, you will need to rebook a consultation.

This is important, because it allows our clinicians to keep track on the progress of your treatment plan and ensure that the medication remains safe and effective for you.

What is the earliest I can reorder my medication or treatment?

14 days after you have received your first monthly supply of Champix, we will send you a notification to advise you that you are eligible to reorder your medication. To ensure that we are able to safely prescribe Champix for the next supply, you will need to rebook a consultation.

This ensures that our clinician can check in on your treatment plan and ensure it is working as intended and continues to be safe, suitable and appropriate for you.

How do I reorder my Champix?

When you are eligible to reorder your next Champix prescription, we will send you a notification reminder. This notification reminder will request that you book a consultation with a NowPatient Clinician.

You should book a suitable time and date for the consultation.

At the end of the consultation, the clinician may advise you to either

  • Stop the treatment
  • Stay on the current dose of Champix
  • Increase the dose of Champix

If our clinician deems it safe for you to continue with Champix, the prescription will be added to your cart, from where you can checkout.

Delivery will be made in line with our delivery timescales.

As a responsible prescribing service, we will always monitor your Champix treatment plan to ensure that it remains safe, effective and suitable for you.

How do I reorder weight loss medication?

Our weight loss programs are built to closely monitor treatment progress and safety. Please refer to the Weight Loss Programs Service Guide that explains how you can reorder or step edit your dose.