Varenicline

Varenicline – Varenicline 1/0.5 mg – 1 mg

Miscellaneous medicines

Autonomic drugs > miscellaneous autonomic drugs> nicotinic receptor partial agonist

Coated tablet

It is a partial agonist of the neuronal α4β2 nicotinic receptor that inhibits the stimulation of the nicotine in mesolimbic dopamine system, which is associated with nicotine addiction. It also binds to the 5HT3 receptor (the relevance of this connection has not been investigated) with moderate affinity. Varenicline also stimulates the activity of dopamine though its level of stimulation is much lower than that of nicotine, reducing the desire and occurring withdrawal symptoms.

Complementary treatment for smoking cessation.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding or trying to get pregnant, be sure to inform your doctor.

If you are under 18 years of age, inform your doctor.

Be sure to inform your doctor if you have a history of or suffer from any mental disorders or depression.

If you have cardiovascular and nephropathy, inform your doctor.

If you have a history of hysteria, inform your doctor.

If you are taking any other medicine (prescription or non-prescription, supplement or herbal), provide your doctor with a list of all the items you are taking.

Inform the doctor of any history of drug allergies.

This medicine has been prescribed for you to quit smoking, so refrain from using it in similar cases or recommending it to others.

No information has been reported.

Category X interactions to avoid:

No significant interference has been identified.

Reducing the effects of medicines by varenicline:

No significant interference has been identified.

Reducing the effects of varenicline by medicines:

No significant interference has been identified.

Increasing the effects of drugs by Varenicline:

Alcohol (ethyl), nicotine

Increasing the effects of varenicline by medicines:

Erdatinib, histamine H2 receptor antagonists, quinolones, Tafnoquine, trimethoprim

Interference with meal:

Has not been reported.

Severe psychological reactions including depression, suicidal thoughts and suicide have been reported.

Alcohol consumption increases the risk of psychological reactions.

Before prescribing this drug, the risks of severe psychological reactions should be compared with the short-term and long-term benefits of quitting for each patient.

Hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema and rare cases of severe skin reactions including Steven Johnson syndrome and erythema multiforme have been reported.

It can increase the risk of cardiovascular events such as angina, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, the need for coronary revascularization, new PVD or the need for its treatment.

Dose-related nausea may occur.

It can cause drowsiness that impairs physical or mental ability.

In case of kidney failure, it should be taken with caution and dose adjustment is required.

The safety and efficacy of Varenicline with the simultaneous use of other quitting drugs have not been investigated. Adverse effects have been reported when taken concurrently with nicotine replacement therapies.

History of severe allergy or skin reactions to Varenicline.

All medicines have possible unwanted side effects along with the therapeutic effect, although not all of these side effects can be seen in the same person. However, if any of them occurred, consult your doctor.

If you feel a headache or any other pain, take enough fluids and consult your pharmacist to choose the right painkiller. If the pain persists or exacerbates, inform the doctor.

Nausea or upset stomach and indigestion may occur while taking this medicine. The possibility of these side effects can be reduced by consuming light meals and taking the medicine afterwards.

If you feel drowsy and dizzy, avoid driving and working with tools that require more caution while the effect of the medicine remains.

In case of sleep disorder or abnormal dreams, avoid taking the last dose of medicine near to your bedtime.

You can relieve the feeling of xerostomia (dry mouth) caused by varenicline by consuming gum or sugar-free candies.

In case of severe fever or pharyngitis (sore throat), change in appetite, weight gain, change in the taste of the meal in the mouth, dyspnea (shortness of breath), cough and itchy skin spots, be sure to consult a doctor.

If you feel depressed and have uncomfortable restlessness and traumatic thoughts, be sure to inform the doctor so that he can stop the medicine properly.

Common side effects (>10%):

Central nervous system: headache, insomnia, disturbed sleep, irritability, suicidal thoughts, depression

Gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting

Relatively common side effects (1-10%):

Cardiovascular: angina pectoris, chest pain, peripheral edema, heart attack

Central nervous system: anxiety, weariness, agitation, sleep disorders, tension, drowsiness, aggressive behavior, lethargy, nightmare

Skin: skin rash

Gastrointestinal: bloating, constipation, dysgeusia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, xerostomia (dry mouth), indigestion, increased appetite, anorexia, decreased appetite, reflux

Respiratory: upper respiratory tract infection, dyspnea (shortness of breath), rhinorrhea (runny nose)

Be sure to remain under the doctor’s supervision while taking varenicline and note that this drug is only part of your withdrawal plan. In order to quit successfully, you need accurate and regular advice and counseling. Make sure that your therapist is fully aware of all the medications you are taking other than this medicine. Since quitting can cause changes in the metabolism of other medicines in your body, you may need to change the dosage of your other routine medications after quitting smoking.

After accomplishing the treatment period, the doctor may advise you to gradually reduce the amount of varenicline for a few weeks and then stop it. This is to complete the period of quitting smoking since it has been observed that some patients start smoking again after sudden elimination of varenicline. Moreover, sudden withdrawal may cause symptoms similar to quitting symptoms such as depression or restlessness and sleep disturbance. Although this happens to an insignificant number of people, you can reduce its possibility by gradually decreasing the amount you take, based on your doctor’s prescription.

Take the medicine with your meal and drink a full glass of water to reduce digestive side effects.

Varenicline intake is generally set up as follows:

For the first three days, one tablet of 500 micrograms per day / days 4 to 7, one tablet (0.5mg) in the morning, one tablet in the evening / from day 8 onwards, one tablet of 1 mg twice a day

The full course of taking varenicline is 12 weeks, which according to the doctor’s opinion may be extended for more than 12 weeks, if you succeed in quitting.

This medicine does not interfere with meal and can be taken at your convenience. However, it is suggested to consume it regularly at certain times of the day. This prevents missing one dose and makes the desired results appear as quickly as possible.

Swallow the medicine completely with a glass of water and avoid chewing or crushing it.

If you forget to take a dose, take the medicine as soon as you remember unless you are approaching the next dose. In this case, do not take the missed dose and take the following doses as usual.

Keep the medicine at a temperature below 30 degrees centigrade and in the original packaging. Keep the medicine out of the reach of children. Avoid taking expired medicines.

Each package contains 11 coated tablets of 0.5 mg + 14 coated tablets of 1 mg (varenicline 0.5 mg/1).

Each package contains 56 coated tablets of 1 mg (varenicline 1 mg).