Varenicline ratiopharm
This medicine helps adults quit smoking by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and can lessen the pleasure of smoking if you do smoke during treatment.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
1 mg
Active Ingredient
Varenicline citrate
Manufacturer
Teva B.V.
How to Use
Dosage
Days 1-3: Take one 0.5 mg white tablet once daily. Days 4-7: Take one 0.5 mg white tablet twice daily, morning and evening. Days 8-14: Take one 1 mg light blue tablet twice daily, morning and evening. From Day 15 onwards for the rest of the treatment (Weeks 3-12): Take one 1 mg light blue tablet twice daily, morning and evening.
Method
Take the tablets by mouth, swallowed whole with water, with or without food.
Important
The maximum daily dose is one 1 mg tablet twice daily (total 2 mg per day) after the initial titration period.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Inflammation of nose and throat
- •Unusual dreams
- •Trouble sleeping
- •Headache
- •Nausea
- •Bronchitis
- •Sinus infection
- •Weight gain
- •Decreased or increased appetite
- •Drowsiness
- •Dizziness
- •Altered taste
- •Shortness of breath
- •Cough
- •Heartburn
- •Vomiting
- •Constipation
- •Diarrhea
- •Feeling bloated
- •Stomach pain
- •Toothache
- •Indigestion
- •Gas
- •Dry mouth
- •Rash
- •Itching
- •Joint pain
- •Muscle pain
- •Back pain
- •Chest pain
- •Tiredness
RARE
- •Fungal infection
- •Viral infection
- •Panic attacks
- •Difficulty thinking
- •Restlessness
- •Mood changes
- •Depression
- •Anxiety
- •Hallucinations
- •Changes in sex drive
- •Seizures
- •Tremors
- •Feeling numb
- •Reduced sense of touch
- •Conjunctivitis
- •Eye pain
- •Ringing in the ears
- •Chest pain during exercise
- •Fast heartbeat or palpitations
- •Increased blood pressure
- •Hot flashes
- •Inflammation of nose, sinuses, throat
- •Stuffy nose, throat, chest
- •Hoarseness
- •Hay fever
- •Throat irritation
- •Excessive mucus from nose causing cough
- •Runny nose
- •Blood in stool
- •Stomach irritation
- •Changes in bowel habits
- •Burping
- •Mouth sores
- •Gum pain
- •Red skin
- •Acne
- •Increased sweating
- •Night sweats
- •Muscle twitching
- •Rib pain
- •Frequent urination
- •Night urination
- •Heavy menstrual bleeding
- •Uncomfortable chest feeling
- •Flu-like illness
- •Fever
- •Weakness or general discomfort
- •High blood sugar
- •Heart attack
- •Suicidal thoughts
- •Changes in thinking or behavior (like aggression)
- •Severe thirst
- •Feeling unwell or unhappy
- •Slow thinking
- •Stroke
- •Increased muscle tension
- •Difficulty speaking
- •Coordination problems
- •Reduced sense of taste
- •Sleep rhythm disturbances
- •Vision problems
- •Yellowing of whites of eyes
- •Dilated pupils
- •Sensitivity to light
- •Nearsightedness
- •Watery eyes
- •Irregular heartbeat or rhythm problems
- •Sore throat
- •Snoring
- •Bloody vomit
- •Abnormal stools
- •Coated tongue
- •Stiff joints
- •Rib pain
- •Glucose in urine
- •Increased urine volume and frequency
- •Vaginal discharge
- •Changes in sexual function
- •Feeling cold
- •Cysts
- •Diabetes
- •Sleepwalking
- •Loss of contact with reality or inability to think clearly (psychosis)
- •Abnormal behavior
- •Severe skin reactions, including erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- •Severe allergic reactions, including angioedema (swelling of face, mouth, or throat)
- •Temporary loss of consciousness
Important Warnings
- Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to varenicline or any other ingredients.
- If you experience agitation, depressed mood, behavior changes, or thoughts of self-harm, stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor immediately.
- If you have a history of mental illness, talk to your doctor before starting this medicine.
- If you have heart or blood vessel problems, tell your doctor about any changes in your symptoms. Seek urgent help for symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures or epilepsy before starting this medicine, as some patients have reported seizures during treatment.
Show 7 more warnings
- Stop taking and seek immediate medical help if you develop signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing.
- Stop taking and seek immediate medical help if you develop a rash that starts to peel or blister, as these could be serious skin reactions.
- This medicine is not recommended for children or adolescents under 18 years old.
- If you have severe kidney problems, avoid taking cimetidine (for stomach acid) at the same time, as it can increase levels of this medicine in your blood. Discuss with your doctor.
- This medicine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or temporary loss of consciousness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
- Be careful with alcohol as some people have reported feeling more intoxicated when taking this medicine.
- If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. It is usually recommended to avoid use during pregnancy.