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Varenicline is a prescription-only medication used to help people stop smoking. It’s usually taken as part of a structured stop smoking programme with support from your clinician. Varenicline works by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms, while also making smoking feel less satisfying if you do have a cigarette during treatment. It’s generally well-tolerated and offers one of the highest quit rates among smoking cessation treatments available today.
You can buy Varenicline tablets online from Prescription Doctor. Fill out our brief online medical questionnaire and one of our clinicians will review your information to determine if the treatment is right for you. Provided your order is approved before 3pm on a weekday, we’ll dispatch the medication via next-day delivery in plain packaging.
At Prescription Doctor, we offer Varenicline tablets at the following prices:
Description | Quantity | Dosage (mg) | Price |
---|---|---|---|
2-week starter pack | 25 Tablets | 0.5 / 1 | £44.99 |
2-week starter pack & 2-week maintenance pack | 25 Tablets (starter) 28 Tablets (maintenance) | 0.5 / 1 | £89.98 |
2-week low-dose maintenance pack | 28 Tablets | 0.5 | £44.99 |
4-week low-dose maintenance pack | 56 Tablets | 0.5 | £79.99 |
6-week low-dose maintenance pack | 84 Tablets | 0.5 | £109.00 |
8-week low-dose maintenance pack | 112 Tablets | 0.5 | £139.99 |
2-week maintenance pack | 28 Tablets | 1 | £44.99 |
4-week maintenance pack | 56 Tablets | 1 | £79.99 |
6-week maintenance pack | 84 Tablets | 1 | £109.00 |
8-week maintenance pack | 112 Tablets | 1 | £139.99 |
Varenicline is a smoking cessation medicine that comes in tablet form. Containing the active ingredient varenicline, it helps you quit by acting on the nicotine receptors in your brain. The treatment partially activates these receptors to reduce cravings and withdrawal, while also blocking nicotine from binding fully if you smoke, thereby making cigarettes less rewarding.
Originally sold under the brand name Champix (which has the same active ingredient), Varenicline tablets are available as a generic prescription-only treatment in the UK. It's widely considered one of the most effective stop-smoking medications, suitable for people who are motivated to quit but want extra support to handle cravings and break the habit.
In the UK, you can buy Varenicline tablets from reputable online services such as Prescription Doctor, or from pharmacies and potentially even the NHS. Regardless of where you purchase them from, you will need approval from a doctor or clinician before commencing treatment. This is to determine whether the medication is suitable for you.
Yes, you can buy Varenicline online from Prescription Doctor via our consultation service. Here’s how it works:
If you decide to buy Varenicline online, be sure to check that your supplier is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council and holds a license to supply medication. This ensures that you only receive genuine, high-quality treatments.
No, Varenicline is classed as a prescription-only medication in the UK, so it cannot be bought over the counter. Instead, you’ll need a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional before obtaining it. This typically occurs after reviewing your medical history to assess your suitability for the treatment.
Yes, Varenicline may be available on the NHS through your GP or local stop smoking service, depending on local prescribing policies. You will need to make an appointment with your doctor or a prescribing stop-smoking clinician beforehand, so they can assess whether the medication is right for you.
Varenicline helps with smoking cessation by partially binding to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the brain, thereby reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms you might experience when trying to quit with willpower alone. Nicotine is the addictive substance found in cigarettes, so reducing its impact is key to breaking the habit.
Varenicline works in two main ways:
When you smoke a cigarette, nicotine attaches to your brain receptors and releases dopamine, also known as the ‘happy chemical’. This provides you with a sense of reward, which is the reason why you have the urge to continue smoking. By partially binding to these same receptors, Varenicline lowers the amount of dopamine released, thereby making the action of smoking less satisfying. This helps you break the psychological association between smoking and pleasure, reducing the urge to have another cigarette.
Varenicline partially stimulates the nicotine receptors in the brain (which is what classifies it as a nicotinic partial agonist) and mimics the dopamine-releasing effect of nicotine. While perhaps not at the same levels as having an actual cigarette, this reduced release of the happy hormone lessens the impact of cravings. It also helps relieve some of the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms you feel when quitting smoking, such as irritability and anxiety.
This dual-action effect can significantly boost your chances of success when compared to going it alone without using smoking cessation aids.
Clinical trials have shown that Varenicline tablets are a highly effective smoking cessation method. In one large study, around 44% of people taking Varenicline successfully quit smoking after 12 weeks, compared to 30% with bupropion (another stop smoking tablet), and 18% taking a placebo.
Another large-scale study analysed data from 27 trials involving over 12,000 participants. Varenicline was confirmed to more than double the chances of quitting compared to placebo, and is more effective than single forms of nicotine replacement therapy or bupropion.
Varenicline not only helps people quit but also improves long-term abstinence rates. At 52 weeks, 23% of Varenicline users remained smoke-free (compared to 15% for bupropion and 10% for placebo).
Varenicline typically starts working within the first week of treatment. Most people notice their cravings for cigarettes begin to reduce during this time, which is why your clinician will ask you to start taking Varenicline 1–2 weeks before your planned quit date.
During the first 7–14 days, you’ll continue smoking as usual while the Varenicline dose increases gradually. Many people find that cigarettes start to taste less satisfying by the end of the first week. By the time you reach your quit date (usually day 8 onwards), both your cravings and the psychological reward from smoking should be significantly weakened.
However, quitting smoking is different for everyone. Some users feel a strong benefit within a few days, while others take the full two weeks to notice reduced cravings and withdrawal.
Varenicline is suitable for adults aged 18 and over who smoke and are motivated to quit. It may not be right for you if you:
Always discuss your full medical history with your prescriber to ensure Varenicline tablets are safe for you.
It’s recommended to take Varenicline tablets with food and a glass of water. This helps reduce nausea, the most common side effect when starting treatment. You must swallow the pill whole, taking care not to chew or break it.
Varenicline treatment typically begins while you are still smoking; however, you should plan to quit around 7-14 days after you start taking the medication. As such, you will need to decide on a cessation date during your second week of treatment. If you cannot commit to quitting smoking within this first two-week period, you can choose your own date within the first 5 weeks and write this down on the medication package as a reminder.
Varenicline tablets are available in two dosages: a white pill containing 0.5 mg of varenicline and a blue pill containing 1 mg of varenicline. You’ll usually begin with a starter pack that contains both 0.5 mg and 1 mg, helping you gradually build up to your maintenance dose.
Once you’re on your stable dose (usually 1 mg twice daily), you will continue with maintenance packs for the remainder of your treatment. Our clinicians will advise you on your full treatment schedule. This typically lasts for 12 weeks; however, this could be extended by a further 12 weeks if you require additional support to quit smoking.
The typical Varenicline dosage schedule is as follows:
Week | Treatment days | Recommended dosage |
---|---|---|
1 | 1 to 3 | 0.5mg per day (1 white tablet) |
4 to 7 | 0.5mg twice a day (1 white tablet in the morning and 1 white tablet in the evening) | |
2 | 8 to 14 | 1mg twice a day (1 blue tablet in the morning and 1 blue tablet in the evening) |
3 to 12 | 15+ | 1mg twice a day (1 blue tablet in the morning and 1 blue tablet in the evening) |
Varenicline tablets should be taken once per day for the first three days of treatment. This is upped to two daily from day 4 onwards. It’s recommended to take the smoking cessation treatment at the same time each day (usually in the morning and evening), so you may find it helpful to set an alarm to remind you of your schedule.
If you miss a dose of Varenicline, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Don’t double up to make up for a missed dose. Missing an occasional dose shouldn’t affect progress, but taking Varenicline consistently gives you the best chance of staying on track.
Taking too much Varenicline may increase your risk of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, headache and stomach pain. If you’ve taken more than the prescribed amount, seek medical advice as soon as possible. Always follow the dosing plan exactly as your clinician recommends.
Like all medicines, Varenicline can cause side effects. Some are caused by the medication itself, but others may be related to your body adjusting to life without nicotine. For example, symptoms such as irritability, increased appetite or mood changes are common when quitting smoking and may not be caused by Varenicline alone; they’re often part of nicotine withdrawal.
Possible Varenicline side effects include:
Common (affects 1 in 100 to 1 in 10 people) | Uncommon (affects 1 in 1000 to 1 in 100 people) | Rare (seek immediate help) |
---|---|---|
Headaches Nausea Insomnia Abnormal dreams | Changes in taste Sleepiness Increased appetite | Mood swings Suicidal thoughts Seizures |
The above is not an exhaustive list; please refer to the Patient Information Leaflet included with your medication for more information about the side effects of Varenicline.
Varenicline side effects are typically mild and can usually be treated at home. They will typically subside within the first few weeks as your body adjusts to the medication. If symptoms persist or worsen, it’s essential to consult your doctor or healthcare provider for guidance.
Taking Varenicline with food and a full glass of water can reduce nausea. Having plain foods like rice or toast can help if you’re struggling to eat. If you experience vivid dreams, taking your evening dose earlier in the day may help alleviate them. For headaches, it’s possible to take over-the-counter medication such as paracetamol to ease the pain.
Experiencing flu-like symptoms, like a sore throat, congestion, and coughing, can be a common side effect of Varenicline. These can be overcome simply by resting and will usually subside over time as your body gets used to becoming free from nicotine.
While rare, some users report changes in mood, feeling down or experiencing depression. Keep track of your mood and discuss your feelings with family or friends. If you develop a depressed mood or suicidal thoughts, stop taking Varenicline and seek medical help immediately.
No. Although Varenicline and Champix contain the same active ingredient, the former is a generic medication, while the latter is a branded product. They support smoking cessation in the same way and have the same dosage schedule; however, they have different inactive ingredients.
Generic versions of medications are often more affordable, as they typically don’t require the same research and development phases that branded products do.
Not usually. Varenicline isn’t known to cause direct weight loss. However, because it helps you quit smoking, your taste and appetite may change. Some people find that food tastes better, and they may gain weight as a result of quitting. Others might eat less because they no longer associate smoking with meals or snacks.
Although Varenicline is an effective smoking cessation treatment, it is not suitable for everyone. You should avoid the medication if you are under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding, have certain mental health conditions, suffer from heart problems ar experience seizures, or are allergic to the ingredients. You should also not take it alongside other stop-smoking aids.
It’s important to consult a doctor or one of our clinicians before taking Varenicline tablets. This is to determine whether the medication is suitable for your circumstances.
It’s possible that Varenicline will impact the effectiveness of other medications, or vice versa. It’s therefore important to let your prescriber know if you’re taking the following treatments:
As a general rule, you should always inform your prescriber if you are taking any other medications, no matter if they’re prescription-only, available over the counter, or herbal remedies.
No. Varenicline is not recommended during pregnancy. Talk to your GP or midwife about alternative stop smoking methods that are safe in pregnancy. Quitting smoking at any stage of pregnancy improves your baby’s health and reduces the risk of complications, so seeking support is always worthwhile.
It’s not recommended to take Varenicline tablets while breastfeeding. Although it hasn’t been studied, varenicline may pass into breast milk, so it’s best to consider alternative smoking cessation methods. Discuss this with your GP or midwife.
There is no information to suggest that Varenicline directly interacts with alcohol in a negative manner; however, some people have reported increased drunkenness or unusual behaviour when taking both substances. It’s therefore best to limit your alcohol intake when taking Varenicline tablets, especially if you notice any mood or behaviour changes.
Varenicline may be associated with episodes of sleepiness, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. It’s recommended that you avoid driving, operating complex machinery, or any other potentially hazardous activity until you have a clear understanding of whether the medication affects your ability to perform them.
Yes, Varenicline isn’t the only quit-smoking aid available. At Prescription Doctor, we also offer the following smoking cessation treatments as alternatives to Varenicline:
Varenicline Resources & References
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