Champix Alternatives: A Comprehensive Comparison
Champix is an extremely effective smoking cessation medication that’s designed to help you kick the habit in just 12 weeks. The treatment was recalled from global markets in 2021 when regulators found an impurity in the drug. However, it returned to the UK in 2025 following improvements to the manufacturing process.
During this period of unavailability, several Champix alternatives sought to fill the void left by the medication’s withdrawal. But are they any good, and why should you consider them now that Champix is back on the market?
Here, we’ll explore the most popular alternatives to Champix and see how they compare. This enables you to make an informed decision about which medication may be more suitable for your circumstances.
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Is There an Alternative to Champix?
Yes, there are several alternatives to Champix available in the UK: Varenicline, Cytisine, and Zyban (also known as bupropion). Varenicline is the closest alternative to Champix, given that it contains the same active ingredient. It was approved for use in 2024, following Champix’s withdrawal. All three are clinically proven to be effective anti-smoking medications.
Other popular stop-smoking products include nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) and vapes or e-cigarettes. These products deliver nicotine without the hundreds of harmful chemicals found in tobacco smoke, which can help to dampen nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Many people successfully quit smoking using these methods, but they won’t break your nicotine dependence. Furthermore, while vapes are considered much healthier than cigarettes, their long-term use may increase your risk of vascular disease. Therefore, the best way to quit smoking and end a nicotine addiction may be with an anti-smoking medication.
Champix Alternatives Head to Head
Choosing the right smoking cessation medication takes careful consideration. Knowing the potential benefits, risks, and side effects of each drug will allow you to make informed decisions about your treatment plan and boost your chances of success. Here, we’ll discuss the efficacy and side effects of Zyban, Varenicline, and Cytisine, and how they compare to Champix.
Zyban vs Champix
Clinical trials have demonstrated that both Zyban (bupropion) and Champix (varenicline) can help people to quit smoking. Both medications reduce nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier for people to avoid smoking in the early stages after quitting.
One meta-analysis comparing their efficacy found that varenicline was superior to Zyban for smoking cessation. In one study, 24% of varenicline users had remained smoke-free after 12 weeks of treatment, compared to 18% of Zyban users. Long-term follow-up studies also found that varenicline treatment produced a better quit rate than Zyban.
Other studies have demonstrated that the length of treatment may be a factor in the varying success rates of these two medications. People who use these medications for at least 45 days are most likely to quit smoking. However, around one-third of people discontinue treatment because of side effects, and this is more common among those using Zyban.
One study found that 8.6% of varenicline users stopped treatment because of side effects, compared with 15.2% of those on Zyban. The most commonly reported side effect of varenicline was nausea. This symptom was typically mild to moderate and reduced over time, leading only a few people to stop taking the medication. Insomnia was the most frequent side effect of Zyban, and this is one of the most common reasons for discontinuation.
Varenicline comes in two doses: 0.5 mg and 1.0 mg. You’ll start with 0.5 mg once or twice a day for the first week of treatment, then increase the dose to 1.0 mg twice per day. You should continue to take 1.0 mg twice daily for the remainder of your treatment (12 weeks in total).
Zyban, which contains bupropion hydrochloride as its active ingredient, comes in 150 mg pills. Your clinician will probably advise that you take one tablet a day for the first 3 days of treatment, before increasing the dose to two a day. You will continue this dosing schedule for 12 weeks, which is the typical length of treatment with Zyban.
Zyban
- Suppresses cravings
- Nicotine-free
- Available from a UK-registered pharmacy
Varenicline vs Champix
Generic varenicline is pharmacologically identical to Champix and has all the same benefits for smoking cessation. It works by blocking the effects of nicotine on the brain, which makes smoking less appealing and helps to dampen cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Multiple studies have found that varenicline is an effective anti-smoking tool, with one reporting that 19.2% of varenicline users were smoke-free after 1 year of treatment compared with 7.2% of those on a placebo.
Varenicline is generally considered safe, but 9.2% of participants in this study discontinued treatment due to side effects. The most commonly reported symptom was nausea, affecting 29.5% of patients. Other side effects included vomiting, insomnia, and abnormal dreams.
Unsurprisingly, varenicline side effects are associated with higher rates of treatment discontinuation, which is linked to lower rates of smoking cessation.
Varenicline Smoking Cessation
- Reduces cravings & withdrawal symptoms
- Blocks the rewarding effect of smoking
- Higher long-term quit rates
Cytisine vs Champix
Cytisine is a plant-derived medicine with similar anti-smoking properties to varenicline (the active ingredient in Champix). It works by attaching to nicotine receptors in the brain, reducing the urge to smoke and nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Cytisine only became available in the UK at the beginning of 2024, but has been a popular anti-smoking tool for decades in other European countries.
One meta-analysis involving 4,020 smokers found that people were 59% more likely to quit using Cytisine compared with a placebo. Other studies have reported that it may be more effective for smoking cessation than NRT, with more people claiming to be smoke-free after 6 months of Cytisine treatment than those using NRT.
However, Cytisine may not help people to quit smoking as effectively as varenicline does. One clinical trial found that varenicline produced a slightly higher quit rate than Cytisine, with 13.3% of those on varenicline remaining smoke-free after 6 months compared to 11.7% of Cytisine users.
One benefit of Cytisine over varenicline is that it has a much shorter treatment regimen. People using varenicline typically take the medication for 12 weeks, whereas Cytisine treatment takes just 25 days. Although these drugs produce similar side effects, people on Cytisine report fewer symptoms than those on varenicline and are, therefore, more likely to continue treatment.
Cytisine
- Natural origin
- Reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Short, structured treatment course
What is the Best Champix Alternative in the UK?
Varenicline is the closest alternative to Champix, as it contains the same active ingredient and is pharmacologically identical. However, it isn’t the only anti-smoking medication available in the UK. If you’re looking for another option, you could try Cytisine or bupropion instead.
Choosing the right product for your needs depends on various factors. All three medications have shown efficacy in helping people to quit smoking, but this isn’t the only thing to consider. You will also want to weigh up the cost, length of treatment plan, and potential side effects when making your decision.
Everyone’s health journey is unique, and guidance from a healthcare professional can help you plan your next steps. Speaking with a licensed clinician about anti-smoking medications can give you a better understanding of your options, so you can make informed decisions about your stop-smoking plan.
Kick the Habit With Prescription Doctor
If you’re thinking about stopping smoking, you’ll want to know that you have the support of specialists at your disposal. A team of knowledgeable experts that can guide you through the entire process. This is where Prescription Doctor comes in.
Since 2013, we’ve helped countless individuals just like you to go smoke-free and improve their overall quality of life. Our licensed clinicians are available to help you decide on the best medication for your circumstances, and will also regularly check in with you to monitor progress.
We have all three Champix alternatives in stock, alongside Champix itself, so you can be confident that you’ll be receiving highly effective medication whichever option you choose. We want to give you the best possible chances of success.
Our support network doesn’t just stop with the medication. We also have a wealth of information on our website about smoking cessation, including its impact on your body and a timeline of potential events. We even offer advice to social smokers who feel that it’s time to give up nicotine. Whatever you need, we’re here to help.
Ready to get started? Begin your stop smoking consultation with Prescription Doctor today.
Sources
- Wiley (2024): Impact of the disruption in supply of varenicline since 2021 on smoking cessation in England: A population study.
- NHS England (2024): NHS rolls out ‘stop-smoking’ pill to help tens of thousands quit.
- Cancer Research UK (2024): NHS England offers an improved stop-smoking pill to help people quit.
- NICE (2024): Tobacco: preventing uptake, promoting quitting and treating dependence.
- UK Government (2023): Stopping the start: our new plan to create a smokefree generation.
- NIH (2022): NIH-funded studies show damaging effects of vaping, smoking on blood vessels.
- MedlinePlus: Smoking cessation medications.
- NIH (2023): Efficacy of varenicline versus bupropion for smoking cessation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Tobacco Induced Diseases (2017): A comparison of the efficacy of varenicline and bupropion and an evaluation of the effect of the medications in the context of the smoking cessation programme.
- JAMA (2006): Varenicline, an α4β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Partial Agonist, vs Sustained-Release Bupropion and Placebo for Smoking Cessation.
- PubMed (2003): Adverse events with Zyban (buproprion).
- NHS: How and when to take varenicline.
- CDC: How to Use Bupropion SR.
- National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training (2021): Varenicline (Champix) supply disruption: update and guidance on alternatives for clients.
- National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training (2025): Varenicline.
- NHS: Quit smoking with nicotine-free medicines.
- PubMed (2014): Efficacy and Safety of Varenicline for Smoking Cessation in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease.
- Bentham Science (2016): Adverse Effects Cause Varenicline Discontinuation: A Meta-Analysis.
- NHS: Cytisine.
- National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training: Cytisinicline.
- PubMed (2018): Cytisine for smoking cessation.
- JAMA (2012): Effect of Cytisine vs Varenicline on Smoking Cessation.
- PubMed (2023): Cytisine Versus Varenicline for Smoking Cessation in a Primary Care Setting: A Randomized Non-inferiority Trial.
Authored By
Kate Latham
Medical Content WriterPublished on: 15/10/2025
Reviewed By
Mohamed Imran Lakhi
MPharm - Lead PharmacistReviewed on: 15/10/2025
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