It has already passed almost 2 years since the date of approval of Chantix – the first medication from Pfizer, specifically designed to treat smoking. Since then the perception of Chantix by experts and wide publicity has changed from fascination, admiration and treating it as a real anti-smoking wonder drug to more sound judgment and evaluation of the real risks and benefits of Chantix.

 

Now it has become obvious that the way towards cigarettes-free living with Chantix is not deprived of some hidden threats and potentially dangerous medical adverse reactions. That is why in order to get the most of Chantix therapy, the primary objective of a patient next to making a firm decision to quit smoking is not only getting a prescription from his doctor, but also being very accurate about proper use of this medication.

 

So, once the key decision to end up with smoking is made, it is time to set a quitting date – a day when you smoke the last cigarette and say “farewell” to smoking hopefully forever.

 

It is important to note that you would better set a quitting date in advance, because taking Chantix should be started 7 days before the quitting date. The first three days you should take one white tablet (0.5 mg) of Chantix every day, and during the next four days you should take two white tablets of Chantix (one in the morning and one in the evening). Such “introductory course” is necessary for your organism to get used to Chantix therapy. By the way, you may continue smoking during this period up to the quitting date.

 

After the quitting date smoking becomes a taboo, and you should do your best to concentrate on achieving your smoke-free goal. After the quitting date Chantix should be taken twice a day (one pill in the morning and one in the evening). It is important to take blue tablets of Chantix during this main course of treatment.

 

Unlike white pills, blue Chantix tablets contain 1.0 mg of active ingredient to help your organism overcome withdrawal symptoms and neutralize the effect of nicotine in case you could not resist the temptation to take a cigarette. While you are on Chantix, cigarettes do not produce the satisfying feelings in your brains, because nicotine receptors are blocked by the medication.

 

In fact, slipping up to smoking during the treatment period does not mean a patient is not able to quit smoking, or the medication does not work – it just means that addiction is a real and very powerful enemy, which is not so easy to overwhelm. Just be patient, strong, persistent, - and follow your plan.

 

Usually, it takes 12 weeks for most of the patients to quit smoking with the help of Chantix. If you have completely quit smoking by this period, it is better to consult your doctor whether it might be helpful for you to continue taking Chantix in order to stabilize the effects of therapy.

 

In order to maximize the benefits of Chantix and minimize side effects risks, you should stick to the regimen of taking pills at the same time every day. Besides, in order to minimize nausea, you may find it helpful to take Chantix after meals and with a full glass of water (it helps to avoid constipation as one of the side effects). If you missed a dose, try to take it as soon as you remember; however, if it is close to the time of your next dose – just wait and take the next tablet as scheduled.

 

Some people may experience increase in hunger when on Chantix. Do not panic and do not change your eating habits abruptly, just try to stick to a healthy diet and metabolism will get normalized soon.

 

Finally, you should keep in mind that Chantix works physically to help you quit smoking, but psychological support is also of great importance for achieving the goal. Here your family and friends may be of great help, supporting you psychologically. Besides, you may be interested in using online supporting service from Pfizer, called GETQUIT, where you can get additional support and motivation, identify smoking risks and find activitiesalternative to smoking.

 

Nick