Champix

[xrt]

After going back to smoking, now I am a "duel user". Snus and Cigarettes.
I just started with Martial Arts and I need to kick the addiction.

Willpower or Allen Carrs book don't do it for me.
So my doctor prescribed me Champix.

Any one else have any experience with these pills? What have you heard or do you have a own personal experience with these?

I start on monday by the way.

[Roo]

It's a drug that alters your brain chemistry, plain and simple. It changes the way you think. It's also marketed as an antidepressant under the name Wellbutrin. And while extremely rare, side effects include suicidal/homicidal thoughts. It's a drug I would never consider taking, not because I'm worried I might commit murder, but because a chemical that is capable of such radical mental changes is not on my agenda for positive lifestyle changes. Good luck with your decision.

Edit: The drug I refer to is marketed in the USA as Chantix, with a "T". I do believe it is the same thing, but I don't feel like looking it up.

[Ainkor]

Here is a warning listed at this website: http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_drug...4615&page_no=2

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

changes in behaviour
changes in mood
depression
thinking about harming self or others

Life can suck enough without potentially pushing yourself over the edge to make some drug company investor even more rich.

Here is a bit more info about it: http://whyquit.com/pr/101406.html

On September 29, 2006, Pfizer issued a press release announcing European Commission approval of Champix, its new quit smoking pill. It boasts that "after one year, approximately one-in-five patients who received the 12-week course of varenicline [Champix] remained smoke-free."

What we do not know is whether Champix's modest 1 in 5 success rate is attributable to the effects of Champix, to the 16 clinical counseling sessions participants received, to the use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) following 12 weeks of Champix use, or to the fact that more than 1,000 hard to treat smokers who would likely have generated substantially higher failure rates were denied participation. What we do know is that Pfizer's clinical Champix studies were not blind as claimed.


Here is another site link that basically says that over 90% of people who have quit, quit cold turkey: http://whyquit.com/pr/123106.html

So there you have it. IMO, either man up and decide to quit or keep smoking!

BTW, as a full disclaimer, I smoke and use snus. When I can't smoke, I snus. I only snused for a very long while but the fact of the matter is that I enjoy smoking. if I wanted to quit, I am sure I would do just fine. In fact, smoking again was a choice I made not out of addiction, I just enjoy smoking. I am completely addicted to nicotine and snusing would be a fine alternative full time though, if I chose to go that way.

[Ansel]

If you do decide to take it make sure you check in with your doctor and/or health professional on a regular basis.

[lxskllr]

Tobacco has had hundreds of years of testing, Champix? I'd just use snus, and drop the cigs, but that's me.

[Ansel]

Snus and e-cigs?

[pris]

Champix is a brand name for Varenicline and Wellbutrin is a brand name for Bupropion.

Never actually tried Bupropion but did try Varenicline briefly but that didn't seem to work for me as it didn't seem to quash my nicotine cravings. Could be I didn't persevere long enough though. But that was just my experience.

[c.nash]

Eff that, have these medicines produced by big pharmaceutical are just a bunch of bs. The side effects are usually worse than what the fuxking drug is treating. No way you'd get me on any of that shit.

[rickcharles606]

When it first hit the market, I tried it for about 3 months and I can honestly say those were the worst 3 months of my life...emotionally speaking. I'm a very optomistic and positive person for the most part, and always have hope that the future can and will be better. However, during the time that I was using Chantix/Champix I was a different human being, and can honestly say that I had thoughts that my family and the world would be a better place without me in it. Of course I never acted on those thoughts, but after a long talk with my wife I realized that it was the drug and stopped using it completely.

When your wife (who's been hounding you for years to stop smoking) asks you to stop taking the drug and start smoking again, something's really off. Since this time the manufacturer of this drug has been required to publish that the drug can cause suicidal thoughts, and there have been instances of people actually committing suicide. In my opinion any drug that can alter your brain chemistry in this way, should be taken off the market completely.

This is just another instance where big Pharma is winning the "harm reduction" race with ineffectual drugs that have horrible side effects. You can bet your ass that if there were to ever be a study that showed snus had a side effect such as "suicidal thoughts" there would be public outcry the likes of which we've never seen. It's ridiculous really. Again, I don't recommend Champix/Chantix at ALL. I'm with Ansel, jump on some extra Sterks and use an e-cig before using a drug that will alter your brain chemistry.

[xrt]

Thanks guys, Will take all this into consideration and report back tomorrow.

[Maher]

... When your wife (who's been hounding you for years to stop smoking) asks you to stop taking the drug and start smoking again, something's really off. ...

Can't agree more, the only thing that worked with me to stop smoking is Hypnosis, really, look for a certified hypnotist and try that, I did that here in BC paid 200$ and I remember after 15 days of not smoking telling my wife so now I can smoke again as the hypnosis paid for itself so far

Seriously, try Hypnosis and SNUS and stay away from prescription drugs, the harm done to the kidneys is very serious as well

good luck and stay strong

[Ansel]

Don't take the Champix!!!

[Snusify]

I was a long term hardened smoker and it took me about 3 weeks to let go of cigarettes after starting with snus. I had to use extra sterk snus initially but over time started using regular strength snus. Just keep trying you dont need any meds to quit smoking, get yourself some stronger snus.

[Frosted]

Champix is potentially dangerous. On the other hand I've heard some very good reports but also some very bad reports. It's a hammer to crack a nut type thing - it could work extremely well or it could turn out extremely badly.

Personally mate, I'd just go up to sterks and quit the cigs. I've been very happy since making that decision myself - as long as I'm not smoking I'm happy.
I quit immediately with snus and with absoloutely no side effects - but I used extra sterks....which is fine.

[GoVegan]

I tied Wellbutrin for a few weeks to try and quit smoking but I didn't notice anything except for that incredible craving for a smoke.