Chantix
Rating: 
First clarification - Chantix is not Zyban. It is a new pharmaceutical offering by Pfizer.
Right off the mark we’ll give it a higher rating than Zyban because it comes with the offering of a support system. Not surprisingly, it is used in virtually the same manner as Zyban, however the interesting thing we found with Chantix is that the effects it claims are very similar to the herb Lobelia used in our top rated programs - and without the need for a prescription.
We rate Chantix - and Zyban as well - at the top of our pharmaceutical recommendations, but again, why take a pharmaceutical with its inherent side effects when an all natural herb that does the same thing, is available. According to Pfizer’s website, the most common side effects events associated with Chantix are nausea, sleep disturbance, constipation, flatulence, and vomiting. It is noted that these are not the only side effects encountered but we could not find where the additional effects were disclosed, which is a little worrying.
Pros:
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Not nicotine based
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Easy to use
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Provides support
Cons:
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Need a prescription in most cases
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Can have serious side effects
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No guarantees
Visit their site for more details
They do post their side effects now, and they can be nasty. I believe its only in a small percentage of people using Chantix but there are reports of people feeling suicidal, having hallucinations, extreme depression, etc…
Yikes….
Sorry, don\’t know what else to say!
Thanks for the update.
Chris
This is a horrible drug. It shouldn’t be recommended to anyone ever. The severe side effects almost ruined my life and I was too confused to know what was going on. I didn’t know when I was awake or asleep.. luckily for me I had a loved one around who got me off it. I took the medicine for one month.
I have to agree with you Deidre. Unfortunately we still hear more bad than good about this product.
We hope that the information that we provide helps people find alternatives.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Chris
This drug has helped me from smoking, and, I’ve tried them all. Those long time smokers you see on tv are for real. Myself, almost forty years a smoker.
My side effects weren’t like other posts. At first, they helped me sleep longer than my normal restless six hours. Then, after 2 months, it changed to insomnia, cant sleep long at all. My doctor was a big help, listening to my cravings when I was about to give it up, NOW, it’s been 7 weeks without a smoke, drag, patch, nothing. I still sleep like crap, but, I have sleep apnea and restless legs and also being treated by the same doc. I have an appointment next week for my insomnia problem.
This was my third or fourth time trying to quit with chantix. I had none of the above side bad effects, I guess I was lucky. Good luck to all you folks trying to quit, hope you dont have any bad side effects.
Hi Ed,
Glad you are doing well and hope your sleep patterns get better. Glad you didn\’t have any side effects, but also sad to hear that it took 3 or 4 times to quit using this product. I hope it sticks this time.
How long overall did it take you to quit using Chantix between the first time you took it til now?
Chris
I quit smoking April 19, 2007 using Chantix.
On March 31, 2007, my 60th birthday, I told all of my children and grandchildren I was giving them a present this year. I had decided to quit smoking and I asked my husband to fill my perscription for Chantix for my Birthday present, since the starter kit was expensive for us and about what one would spend for a nice 60th BD gift.
Now to go back a little I had been a smoker for 35 years and recently 3 packs a day! My mother passed because of Emphysema a few years before my 60th birthday and just before my 60th birthday I went to the doctor for my yearly physical, at which time I had a chest Xray. When I received a letter in the mail a few days after my doctor appointment, the tears welled up and I couldn’t even speak, I was stunned with the words, “Early Stage Emphysema” that was all it took.
I went back to the doctor and told her I needed help, I didn’t want to die like my mother gasping for breath, but, I had tried to quit many times during my life and could not quit. The doctor replied “I have the pill for you”. She said she had perscribed it for her husband because he was having problems quitting and it helped him. So I said I would try it.
I told my husband I was serious and of course he had no faith that I would but agreed to purshase the pills for my birthday present. He now says it was the best present he ever bought for me!
In any event I quit after 9 day’s which turned out to be April 19th. Which would have been my Mom’s birthday and I haven’t looked back since.
Right after I quit my son-in-law from Cnanda told my daughter, by God if your Mom can quit so can I. He called me to ask about Chantix and I gave him all the info I had, he went to his Canadian doctor who in turn told him it was new to Canada and he would gladly write the perscription for him. So just a few weeks after I quit my son-in-law was also a quitter using Chantix.
Just wanted you to know that there are probably more people out here that have quit on Chantix and have not announced it!
Regards
Beverly Hill
Hi Beverly,
So glad to hear that you quit before the situation got any worse. Also, very happy that your son followed in your footsteps as well.
Good on you.
All the best,
Chris
I’ve been a pack a day + smoker for 9 years now, and have cycled through quitting and going back to it a number of times. Trying Chantix was the biggest mistake of all of these attempts. The physical side effects were pretty manageable, but the psychological side of it was intensely unpleasant. Within the first few weeks I felt like I was an observer in my own body, totally disconnected from my surroundings, and after that the rapid-cycling bipolar symptoms started and then got severe, along with the nightmares and depression. It took me a month to cycle off of it, and even then the withdrawal symptoms were severe. In my opinion and from my experience, this drug is dangerous and inadequately tested for the spectrum of application it’s being used for. Try everything and anything else first!
Thanks for your input Blake. It is good to have all points of view.
Chris
I experienced an anger problem when I first started taking Chantix, but I could clearly still see right from wrong, so I acted apropreatly to every day norm and got over it. I do not condone alot of perscription drug use but Chantix helped me quit smoking and as far as I am concerned at this time it was the only way I could go.
Hi Tony,
Thanks for your input. I am sure it will help others make a decision.
Chris
I’m a FAN!!
I am a 53-year-old woman who smoked for nearly 35 years and would probably still be smoking if not for Chantix. I tried hypnosis, gum, the patch and cold turkey but could not get past the daily/constant desire to want a smoke over the long haul.
I have now been smoke-free for 15 months, and am very thankful that I rarely feel like I want a smoke (maybe every few months it will cross my mind). I can even be around people who smoke and it doesn’t bother me.
I think Chantix is a wonderful tool, but must be approached with complete doctor supervision. Personally, I did feel the mood swings, had weird vivid (but not bad) dreams, slept restlessly and, worst of all, had acid reflux every time I ate anything.
You start on it with 1/2 dose the first week, but they don’t instruct you to come off it gradually, although my doctor did have me reduce the dosage for a week before completely eliminating it.
I see there are some issues with this approach, but, as with most medicines, with an understanding of the possible side effects, a commited family that has your back, and a diligent doctor, I believe most people can have success with this product.
Today I can say the side effects were worth it, and I have a lot more $$ in my pocket!
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for sharing your experience. I am sure it will help others make the decision to quit as well.
Chris
Hi! My name is David and I smoked for 37 years. I tried all ways of putting the nasty things down with no success. I tried everything including hypnosis. My doctor gave me a prescription for chantex and I took it to my pharmacy. I couldn’t afford the co pay, so I put it off. Three months later I got the oppertunity to get them for free through my girlfriends work. Well, needless to say I was very sceptical. But I tried. I continued smoking for two weeks while taking them. Thae one day I asked myself what I was doing. That was the day I put the ciggs down and never looked back. I never thought it possible. Never thought I could drink my morning coffee without a “few” cigs.
Now it has been seven months, don’t even have an urge,Am around smokers all the time and still don’t miss it. I had no side effects from the drug at all. I have sleeping prob;ems and restless leggs, But I’m figuring this is from not having these chemicals in my system.
THANK YOU CHANTEX
Hey David,
Congratulations. Ah, the Chantix battle. Side effects and successes.
The important thing is that it worked for you! I am all for any product that produces results. Just like them to be as painless as possible.
Again, congratulations and thanks for your comments.
Chris
I smoked for about 30 years without ever attempting to quit. Finally, I felt committed to try and developed a plan that included a two week vacation (to change my routine and habits) and Chantix. I chose Chantix because of its advertised ability to reduce/eliminate the positive effects of nicotine. I began taking Chantix two weeks before leaving on vacation and during this time smoked all I wanted. I went from a pack and a half to about 1/2 pack during those two weeks without trying. I threw the cigarettes away went I left for vacation and have not smoked since. That was 3 years ago.
Since this was my only attempt at stopping, I don’t really know Chantix’s importance in my stop smoking plan. My only noticable side affect was vivid/bizarre dreams. I took the drug for about 3 months as I didn’t know the degree Chantix was contributing to my continued rehabilitation.
Reading the negative reviews of this drug is somewhat perplexing. It would seem that Chantix’s effect on different individuals is extremely variable which is unusual. I wonder if I would choose the same stop smoking plan today.
Hi Bob,
Thanks for your comments. Will certainly help others I am sure.
Chris
I just took my first Chantix pill today. After reading the reviews…i am getting really nervous about taking tomorrow’s pill. I am wondering if the people that get were thoughts are the ones who already have depression.
Chantix…a lifesaver… As with all drugs, I am sure there are side effects and everyone
reacts differently to every drug. I tried everything possible to quit. I just could not do it. My mom died at age 52 and my aunt and uncle at ages 52 and 56 due to heart disease. I am 53 and following in their footsteps with the high blood pressure and
high cholesterol. I knew I just had to quit. Chantix is the only way that I could quit…
Finally NO MORE CRAVING those nasty cigarettes (except on rare occasions). I am glad that I didn’t have any of those bad side effects. My son is now starting on his starter pack of Chantix this week. What a great mothers day present for me!
Glad it worked for you Shelly. Give your son all the help he needs and he will get there too.
Chris
Hi. Just started taking Chantix about 9 days ago. So far, I feel like I have been fine. I have not smoked a cig since I started taking it, and the urge gets less each day. I do get nauseous, but take it with a meal and it seems better. A few weird dreams, but nothing horrible. So far, so good.
Lisa
Good for you Lisa.
Keep it up. We are all rootin\’ for you!
Chris
Hi!! Well, I looked up “chantix and nausea” and found this website. Glad I did. I’m one of those people who tried the patch (great dreams but still smoked), Welbutrin (made me feel like I was on the end of a bad drug bings…after 3 days, pharmacist told me to stop taking it)…fianlly, Chantix. First week, no problems. Second week, still smoked…maybe a cig a day, out of habit not out of really wanting one. However, I started to get angry becuz I was smoking & getting absolutely NO SATISFACTION!! Starting of week 3, the stomach thing hit me. I don’t like feeling nauseated at all!! However, the good outcome of that is the THOT of going out to smoke totally repulses me!! And the dreams! HOLY MOLY!! Nothing scarey but bizarre…that’s the only word to describe them. So, I did learn something reading the above posts…& that is before I run out of pills, I should maybe half them so that I can wean myself off them…hope Chantix works for y’all. I have no complaints for real..it does what it says.
Chantix helped me stop using tobacco.None of the side effects listed on previous post.The first thing for this drug to work is the urge and need to stop using tobacco.People can make all of the excuses they want ,but need to wake up and realize its you not the drug that is the problem.
Yes, you have to want to quit. There is NO magic pill.
Chris
I agree with Donnie…You have to WANT to quit. If you don’t really want to quit…
some people (not all people) canand might develop all kinds of symptoms (excuses) to stop the Chantix/patch/Wellbutrin, etc. and go back to smoking. I know…I have done it myself before.
I firmly believe that anyone can quit … given the right motivation. Good luck to everyone!
I have been taking Chantix for 9 days now, side effects have been minimal, I made the mistake of taking it on an empty stomach once and was nauseous. However I am still smoking, maybe not as much but still it seems to be the habit. I’ve been smoking for 20 years and wonder if I’m naive to think that this is a “miracle drug”. Most people I have talked to that had success quitting with Chantix describe that they just forgot to smoke or lit one up and put it out not wanting it.
Wish me luck, I really want this to work, your success stories make me hopeful!
We all wish you the best of luck Catherine.
Chris
I’m on my 3rd week with Chantix. Best product so far. Have had some side effects like gas. I just take a gas x each time. As long as I eat before I take it, I don’t have the nausea. I do have the vivid dreams, but I like them. Some are pretty silly, like last night I dreamed I was using my work IM to talk to people. Real people I work with. Carried on just like a normal day. Felt so real. I did have one scary dream where I started to forget everyone I knew.
I had tried everything to quit. The patch worked great too actually but I think the chantix is better. Maybe I’m just older. I also like their website and the calls every night.
Just wanted to throw my recommend out there. Saw this before I got Chantix from my Dr and that’s why I picked it. Oh ya, when I went to my Dr, she had a free starter kit coupon and a $30 coupon. So the whole supply was free because my insurance picked up the cost for the next 2 months and the $30 coupon payed the co-pay. Can’t beat that!
Good luck to you all!
Good on you Anne. Let us know back on how you make out.
I am on day 13 of Chantix. My quit date was the 26th of July which I managed to quite on this date but I woke up on the 27th and just felt like I wanted a few puffs so I did but didn’t really need it. On Tuesday night the 29th I did screw up and have 3 smokes I could have done with out but I wanted one so I smoked them. It is now the 28th and I have not smoked one today so my thoughts are the cravings are definatley going away compared to when I was not on chantix and smoking some times 2.5 packs a day mostly on weekends when we were drinking. I think if you are a heavy smoker you need to give Chantix a little more then a week to set your quit date. I may still have a few cigs in the next few days but I am going to win the battle with the assistance of Chantix. As far as side effects I have had some crazy dreams and a little issues with stomach cramps or pain but hopefully in the near future they will be gone and the thoughts of what I might have if I don’t quit smoking. Good luck to all the people taking Chantix and if you have had bad expirences consult your doctor for some assistance.
Sounds like you are struggling a bit. Don’t let excuses rule you. Get a handle on them before you end up smoking as much as before.
I am on day 12 of chantix, and I have to say, this drug works!! I have had a couple of cigarettes, but more out of habit, and they taste disgusting. This drug has also helped cut other urges, such as alcohol intake tremendously!!! There are some side effects-nausea, vomiting (just once) and the dreams…not bad dreams, but vivid!! I have slept better though the last 2 weeks than I have in months!!
As for the pyschological issues-I have not had any, and I have in the past suffered from depression and anxiety. I am hoping that this doesnt happen to me…The only real complaint is the nausea, and it is better if taken on a full stomach.
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’S TIME TO GIVE THE BAD HABBIT UP COMPLETLY.
Hi Tina,
It sounds like you are struggling a bit, but keep sticking with it. Actually stopping is the hard part. You’ve done that, so stay with it. It will get easier. Whatever you do, don’t even consider having a cigarette or you will be back to square one. Stay strong.
Chris
Hi everyone,
I suppose I can post here instead of updating my facebook about my chantix experiences–how cool!
I am on my 8th day of chantix (first day of taking the blue pills from the 2nd week pack) and feeling a bit nauseous b/c I had a half of a croissant and just had a colonic on Saturday for the first time ( sorry to share TMI) so my digestive system has been a little dicey lately along with trying a raw food diet to folloup can flare up the tract–speaking of a shock to the stomach thank g-d for gas-x lol! I have read a few perplexing reviews about the extremeties of side effects and I’ll be honest its scary because I do tend to be moody, angry and anxiety ridden but have never been officially diagnosed with any mental health problems but living in NYC will definitely contribute to that very factor!
I have been having some strange dreams not bad but definitely very detailed and almost real that its surreal but I try to get rid of that estranged feeling in the am when I wakeup by meditating/praying which seems to help. Wuestion to those who have taken chantix for the second week– did you experience other additional side effects? I am just a little nervous but I havent smoked for 8 days which is incredible I am 32 and have been smoking on and off since I was 20 so I hope and wish this will be a good journey and best of luck to everyone!