Details

Varenicline is a smoking cessation medicine. It is used together with behaviour modification and counselling support to help you stop smoking. To make sure varenicline is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have a history of depression or mental illness kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis) heart disease, circulation problems or if you drink alcohol. Do not drink large amounts alcohol. Varenicline can increase the effects of alcohol or change the way you react to it. Varenicline is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Typical Uses

Varenicline helps you stop smoking. To increase your chance of success, use this medication with a stop-smoking program that includes education, support, and counselling. Quitting smoking lowers your risk of heart and lung disease, as well as cancer. Varenicline works by blocking nicotine's effects in the brain that make you want to smoke.

Side Effects

Common varenicline side effects may include a seizure (convulsions) shortness of breath sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, leg pain when you walk chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, vomiting, sweating the first sign of any blistering type of skin rash, no matter how mild or severe skin reaction-fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Drug Interactions

• Varenicline+nicotine- Using nicotine together with varenicline can cause an increase in side effects. Contact your doctor if you experience nausea, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and fatigue. You may need a dose adjustment or special test if you use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs.
• Varenicline+dolutegravir- Dolutegravir may increase the blood levels and effects of varenicline. You may need a dose adjustment if you have been receiving varenicline and are starting treatment with dolutegravir. Likewise, if you have been receiving both medications, the dose of varenicline may need to be adjusted if dolutegravir is discontinued.
• Varenicline+vandetanib- Vandetanib may increase the blood levels and effects of varenicline. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.
• Varenicline+ranolazine- Ranolazine may increase the blood levels and effects of varenicline. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.

Mechanism of action

Varenicline belongs to a group of medicines called nicotinic receptor partial agonists. It works by blocking the effect of nicotine (which are experienced upon smoking) on the brain.

Pregnancy Category : C