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Champix
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Champix is a drug that is used in addiction (nicotine dependence).
[1]
Indications Champix
The main indication for the use of Champix is nicotine addiction.
[2]
Pharmacodynamics
The active ingredient Champix-varenicline binds to α4β2-neuronal acetylcholine receptors, where it acts as a nicotine antagonist.
Studies in vitro and in vivo have shown that nicotine competes for the same binding site of the human α4β2 nAChR as varenicline. It can block the ability of nicotine to activate the receptors α4β2 and the mechanism underlying the fixation of the reflex. Thus, the effect of addiction to nicotine is reduced.
[7]
Pharmacokinetics
The maximum concentration in plasma is 4 hours later. 92% is seen in the urine unchanged, and less than 10% - in the form of metabolites.
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Dosing and administration
From the first day of treatment, the third - 0.5 g once a day, days 4-7 - 0.5 g 2 times a day, from 8 days to the end - 1 g 2 times a day. The course of treatment - 12 weeks.
Use with other means to stop smoking
Bupropion: Varenicline (1 mg 2 times a day) did not alter the pharmacokinetics of bupropion in a therapeutic dose.
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT): a statistically significant decrease in the average systolic pressure (in the middle by 2.6 mm Hg) was noted, which was measured on the last day of admission. Cases of nausea, vomiting and dyspepsia with combined therapies were observed more often.
Alcohol: There is insufficient evidence of the use of Champix with alcohol.
[11]
Use Champix during pregnancy
Sufficient studies of the use of Champix during pregnancy are not available. Applicable if the benefit exceeds the potential risk to the fetus.
Contraindications
Contraindications for the use of Champix are the following diseases: epilepsy, increased sensitiveness, nervous and mental diseases, which are accompanied by insomnia and depression, aggressiveness, irritability.
[9]
Side effects Champix
Champix has the following list of side effects: insomnia, anger, impaired concentration, increased appetite, nausea, panic, mood swings, dysarthria, fungal infections, hypertension, lethargy, decreased libido, increased libido, drowsiness, tremor, myopia, cough, hoarseness, obstruction of the respiratory tract, rhinorrhea, bronchitis, abdominal pain, stomatitis, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, vomiting, abnormal feces, nausea, anorexia, acne, night sweats, chest pain, asthenia, hunger, decreased appetite.
[10]
Overdose
Cases of overdose with Champix are not described.
[12]
Interactions with other drugs
When taking with OCT2 inhibitors at the same time, you do not need to change the dose. Since the metabolism of varenicline is less than 10% of its clearance, the active substances affecting the cytochrome P450 system do not change the pharmacokinetics of varenicline.
In in vitro studies, it was demonstrated that varenicline in therapeutic concentrations does not inhibit human kidney transport proteins. Therefore, the effect of varenicline on the drugs that are excreted in the urine is unlikely.
Metformin: Varenicline (1 mg 2 times a day) does not affect the pharmacokinetics of metformin (500 mg twice daily). Metformin does not affect the pharmacokinetics of varenicline.
Cimetidine: Simultaneous administration of Champix and cimetidine (300 mg 4 times a day) with varenicline (2 mg single dose) increased the system exposure of Varenicline by 29%.
Digoxin: varenicline (1 mg 2 times a day) does not change the pharmacokinetics of digoxin in a therapeutic dose of 0.25 mg per day.
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Storage conditions
Special instructions
Studies have been conducted that showed that Europeans before smoking start smoking. We can see 10-year-old children with a cigarette. People with a genetic predisposition quit smoking longer and later those who do not. And it all starts with the fact that people just play around in companies. In the company of friends for the evening people can smoke a half packs, without thinking about the consequences, that in time they will not be able to without a cigarette. Cigarette in the mouth replaces the adult mother's breast and nipple, as if soothing. Especially adolescents. They live today. Oncology and premature death are abstract for them, they are not afraid of anything and think that their health is forever with them. Often the reason that people start to smoke, is a feeling of inner loneliness, unnecessary to other people, especially among adolescents. Often people start to smoke at adulthood, because they believe that they lived their lives in vain and did not realize their potential.
And then comes the day when it's hard for you to sit out until the end of a meeting or a session in a movie theater. You become addicted. You smoke after every couple at the university, the whole lunch break. The day comes when you want to smoke in bed and you fall asleep with a cigarette ... The consequences are very easy to imagine. Your loved ones may not know that you are smoking, you are hiding from them and experiencing a depressing sense of guilt.
Statistics say that the share of smoking men in Ukraine is 70%, and that of women is 20%. Every third patient with lung cancer and asthma is a smoker. Bowel cancer is also caused by alcohol and cigarettes. Nicotine causes the pathology of the brain.
Smokes every 4 Ukrainian after 18 years. Of the 10 smokers, 6 people tend to quit, understanding the harm of smoking.
Smoking women have a significantly increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. It can provoke rupture of the fallopian tube and the death of a woman.
You can be motivated to stop smoking by giving a good example to children. Think about them. In any case, to get rid of smoking you will need strong will, train it. Realize the essence, the cause of your dependence. Understand that your brain focuses on tobacco, as on something good. How to make the brain understand that tobacco is the enemy of your health and has turned off the pleasure center?
You can try this method: go out into the fresh air, light a cigarette and plug your nose. Breathe in smoke only with your mouth. "Chew" the harmful air in your mouth, imagine that it reached your brain. After the forces are not enough, spit out the nasty air, soaked in tobacco, and start breathing in clean. Repeat the procedure for 10 consecutive days, induce aversion to tobacco.
It is better to quit smoking quickly when the level of stress in your life is minimal, for example, in a decree or during a vacation. The most difficult is the first 48 hours without a cigarette. Perfectly replace the cigarette with mint candies. Gradually reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke per day.
Nicotine inhalers and patches are now widely used. They protect the person from the symptoms of withdrawal syndrome. The course of treatment is about 12 weeks.
There are also aversive funds. They help stop smoking, causing disgust for the taste of tobacco. Helps rinse with a 0.1% (slightly pink) solution of potassium permanganate or a solution of eucalyptus oil. Rinsing the mouth with these drugs makes the taste of tobacco smoke unpleasant. Rinse should be every four hours 8-10 days.
Psychotherapy helps to enter the state of "desire to quit." Apply hypnosis therapy and coding. 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 causes of smoking. The doctor together with the smoker analyzes situations in which one wants to smoke and develops tactics, how such situations can be avoided. If you smoke after a meal, go for a walk instead of a break, for a week, replace the coffee and cigarette with juice in the morning, smooth out family conflicts.
It is necessary to remove cigarettes and ashtrays, lighters from the field of view. Do not let any of the guests smoke in your apartment.
For medicinal therapy, you can use Champix in combination with special inhalers, patches, chewing gum with nicotine.
Change the situation. When you want to smoke, take a deep breath, count to 10 and exhale. The desire to take a cigarette into your mouth will weaken.
Do not feel afraid of trying to quit. Many have gone through this. Cigarette is, most likely, for you a ritual, a means to relax, calm down, cigarettes accompany your conversations with co-workers at lunch time. What other "pluses" do you see in smoking? Believe me, it is a delusion that cigarettes help to relax! A dependent person can not be relaxed at all! Look at those who smoke. None of them are smiling - it seems that they are dragging bricks. Everyone can give up. Smoking experience is not important. Smokers create problems for themselves and promote disapproval of people around them. Smoking is not in vogue now.
Someone throws gradually, and someone immediately. Find yourself a friend who, just like you, seeks to overcome the craving for tobacco. Talk to each other when it's hard. Pamper yourself. In a month you can go to the cinema and cafe for money saved. In six months, buy yourself what you dreamed of. After a year, go with your family or loved ones on a trip.
You can spend time in the company of those who lead a healthy lifestyle. Go in for sports all together. Very soon you will notice that smoking interferes with the growth of muscles and will be additionally motivated to give up this bad habit. The process of refusal to quit smoking should not take you more than 3 months, otherwise you risk stretching it for life.
You've probably heard about Allen Carr's "Easy Way to Quit Smoking." He is a former smoker with experience. His technique helps to cope with the fear that occurs in a smoker trying to quit.
The method of V.G. Zhdanova - directed to the psychological attack of people who smoke. They are told about the colossal harm of tobacco for the body, they show photos that really terrify.
Timur Mammadov is the author of the method of parting with a cigarette, based on the belief that a person connects certain daily activities with smoking, turning it into a ritual.
Your brain has the potential for self-healing. On this basis the method of acupuncture is developed. For him, the thinnest needles are used. Exposure to biologically active points helps the body to abandon tobacco, it develops strong disgust. The anxiety goes away. Acupuncture is completely painless. Quit smoking is quite real for 1-2 months. You will have a cough and improve your sense of smell, increase your efficiency and reduce the likelihood of developing lung cancer.
The above ways to quit smoking, if your desire is very strong, will help you.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Champix" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.