Champix

Champix is a drug used for addiction (nicotine dependence).

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Indications Champix

The main indication for the use of Champix is nicotine addiction.

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Release form

Champix is available as film-coated tablets.

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Pharmacodynamics

The active substance of Champix - varenicline binds to α4β2-neuronal acetylcholine receptors, where it acts as a nicotine antagonist.

In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that nicotine competes for the same human α4β2 nAChR binding site as varenicline. It may block nicotine's ability to activate α4β2 receptors and the mechanism underlying the reinforcement of the reflex. Thus, the addictive effect of nicotine is reduced.

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Pharmacokinetics

Maximum plasma concentration is reached after 4 hours. 92% is excreted in urine unchanged, and less than 10% as metabolites.

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Dosing and administration

From the first day of treatment to the third - 0.5 g once a day, days 4-7 - 0.5 g 2 times a day, from the 8th day until the end - 1 g 2 times a day. The course of treatment is 12 weeks.

Use with other smoking cessation aids

Bupropion: Varenicline (1 mg twice daily) did not alter the pharmacokinetics of bupropion at a therapeutic dose.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT): a statistically significant reduction in mean systolic blood pressure (on average by 2.6 mmHg) was observed, which was measured on the last day of intake. Cases of nausea, vomiting and dyspepsia were observed more often with combination therapy.

Alcohol: There is insufficient data on the use of Champix with alcohol.

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Use Champix during pregnancy

There are no sufficient studies on the use of Champix during pregnancy. It is used if the benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of Champix are the following diseases: epilepsy, hypersensitivity, nervous and mental illnesses that are accompanied by insomnia and depression, aggressiveness, irritability.

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Side effects Champix

Champix has the following list of side effects: insomnia, anger, difficulty concentrating, increased appetite, nausea, panic, mood swings, dysarthria, fungal infections, hypertension, lethargy, decreased libido, increased libido, drowsiness, tremor, myopia, cough, hoarseness, airway obstruction, rhinorrhea, bronchitis, abdominal pain, stomatitis, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, vomiting, abnormal stool, nausea, anorexia, acne, night sweats, chest pain, asthenia, hunger, decreased appetite.

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Overdose

There are no reports of overdose with Champix.

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Interactions with other drugs

When co-administered with OCT2 inhibitors, the dose does not need to be adjusted. Since the metabolism of varenicline is less than 10% of its clearance, active substances that affect the cytochrome P450 system do not alter the pharmacokinetics of varenicline.

In vitro studies have shown that varenicline at therapeutic concentrations does not inhibit human renal transport proteins. Therefore, an effect of varenicline on urinary excretion is unlikely.

Metformin: Varenicline (1 mg twice daily) did not affect the pharmacokinetics of metformin (500 mg twice daily). Metformin did not affect the pharmacokinetics of varenicline.

Cimetidine: Co-administration of Champix and cimetidine (300 mg 4 times daily) with varenicline (2 mg single dose) increased the systemic exposure of varenicline by 29%.

Digoxin: Varenicline (1 mg twice daily) does not alter the pharmacokinetics of digoxin at a therapeutic dose of 0.25 mg daily.

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Storage conditions

Champix should be stored at a temperature of 15–30°C.

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Special instructions

There have been studies that have shown that Europeans start smoking earlier than African Americans. Here you can see 10-year-old children with a cigarette. People with a genetic predisposition quit smoking longer and later than those who do not have it. And it all starts with people just messing around in companies. In the company of friends, people can smoke a pack and a half in an evening, without thinking about the consequences, about the fact that over time they will not be able to live without a cigarette. A cigarette in the mouth replaces a mother's breast and pacifier for an adult, it seems to calm them down. Especially for teenagers. They live today. Oncology and premature death are abstract for them, they are not afraid of anything and think that their health will be with them forever. Often the reason that people start smoking is a feeling of inner loneliness, uselessness to other people, especially among teenagers. Often people start smoking in adulthood because they believe that they have lived their lives in vain and have not realized their potential.

And then comes the day when you can hardly sit through a meeting or a movie. You become addicted. You smoke after every class at university, during your entire lunch break. Then comes the day when you want to smoke in bed and you fall asleep with a cigarette… The consequences are easy to imagine. Your loved ones may not know that you smoke, you hide from them and feel an oppressive sense of guilt.

Statistics show that the share of smoking men in Ukraine is 70%, and women - 20%. Every third patient with lung cancer and asthma is a smoker. Colon cancer is also caused by alcohol and cigarettes. Nicotine causes brain pathologies.

Every fourth Ukrainian after 18 smokes. Out of 10 smokers, 6 people try to quit, understanding the harm of smoking.

Women who smoke have a significantly increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. It can cause a rupture of the fallopian tube and the death of the woman.

You may be motivated to quit smoking by setting a good example for your children. Think about them. In any case, to get rid of smoking you will need a strong will, train it. Realize the essence, the reason for your addiction. Understand that your brain focuses on tobacco as something good. How to make the brain understand that tobacco is the enemy of your health and turn off the pleasure center itself?

You can try this method: go outside, light a cigarette and plug your nose. Inhale the smoke only through your mouth. "Chew" the harmful air in your mouth, imagine that it has reached your brain. After you have no more strength, spit out the nasty air soaked with tobacco and start inhaling clean air. Repeat the procedure for 10 days in a row, make yourself disgusted with tobacco.

It is better to quit smoking abruptly when the stress level in your life is minimal, for example, during maternity leave or vacation. The hardest part is the first 48 hours without a cigarette. Mint lozenges are an excellent substitute for cigarettes. Gradually reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke per day.

Nicotine inhalers and patches are now widely used. They protect a person from withdrawal symptoms. The course of treatment is about 12 weeks.

There are also aversives. They help to quit smoking by causing an aversion to the taste of tobacco. Rinsing with a 0.1% (light pink) solution of potassium permanganate or a solution of eucalyptus oil helps. Rinsing the mouth with these preparations makes the taste of tobacco smoke unpleasant. Rinsing should be done every four hours for 8-10 days.

Psychotherapy helps to enter the state of "desire to quit". Hypnosis therapy and coding are used. Hypnotherapy takes place in three stages: preparatory, the stage of conversation with the patient and the materialization of suggestions.

Cognitive psychotherapy – is aimed at understanding the reasons that motivate smoking. The doctor, together with the smoker, analyzes situations in which you want to smoke and develops tactics for how to avoid such situations. If you smoke after eating, go for a walk instead of taking a smoke break, replace coffee and a cigarette in the morning with juice for a week, and smooth out family conflicts.

It is essential to remove cigarettes, ashtrays and lighters from sight. Do not allow any of your guests to smoke in your apartment.

For drug therapy, you can use Champix in combination with special inhalers, patches, and chewing gum with nicotine.

Change your environment. When you feel like smoking, take a deep breath, count to 10, and exhale. The desire to put a cigarette in your mouth will weaken.

There is no need to be afraid of trying to quit smoking. Many have gone through this. A cigarette is most likely a ritual for you, a means to relax, calm down, cigarettes accompany your conversations with colleagues during lunch breaks. What other "pluses" do you see in smoking? Believe me, it is a misconception that cigarettes help you relax! An addicted person can never be relaxed! Look at those who smoke. None of them smile - it seems like they are carrying bricks. Anyone can quit. The length of smoking is not important. Smokers create problems for themselves and contribute to the disapproval of others. Smoking is not in fashion now.

Some people quit gradually, others quit right away. Find a friend who is trying to overcome the craving for tobacco just like you. Talk to each other when things get tough. Pamper yourselves. In a month, use the money you saved to go to the cinema and a cafe. In six months, buy yourself what you dreamed of. In a year, go on a trip with your family or loved one.

You can spend time in the company of those who lead a healthy lifestyle. Do sports together. Very soon you will notice that smoking interferes with muscle growth and will be additionally motivated to quit this bad habit. The process of quitting smoking should not take you more than 3 months, otherwise you risk stretching it out for your whole life.

You've probably heard of Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking. He's a long-time ex-smoker. His method helps you overcome the fear that comes with trying to quit.

V.G. Zhdanov's method is aimed at psychologically attacking people who smoke. They are told about the colossal harm of tobacco to the body, and are shown photos that are truly terrifying.

Timur Mamedov is the author of a method for quitting smoking, which is based on the belief that a person associates certain everyday actions with smoking, turning it into a ritual.

Your brain has the potential to heal itself. Acupuncture has been developed on this basis. It uses the finest needles. Impact on biologically active points helps the body to give up tobacco, a persistent aversion to it arises. Anxiety goes away. Acupuncture is completely painless. Quitting smoking is quite possible in 1-2 months. Your cough will go away and your sense of smell will improve, your performance will increase and the likelihood of getting lung cancer will decrease.

The above methods to quit smoking will help you if your desire is very strong.

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Shelf life

The shelf life of Champix is 2 years.

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