Varenicline ratiopharm
Varenicline ratiopharm helps adults stop smoking by reducing cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and the pleasure of smoking.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
0.5 mg + 1 mg
Active Ingredient
Varenicline citrate
Manufacturer
Teva B.V.
How to Use
Dosage
Follow your doctor's instructions. Usually, you start with 0.5 mg once daily for 3 days, then 0.5 mg twice daily for 4 days. From day 8 onwards, you take 1 mg twice daily for the rest of the 12-week treatment. Your doctor might recommend continuing for another 12 weeks to help you stay smoke-free.
Method
Take the tablets whole with water, with or without food.
Important
The usual maximum daily dose is 2 mg (1 mg twice daily).
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Inflammation of the nose and throat
- •Abnormal dreams, trouble sleeping
- •Headache
- •Nausea
- •Bronchitis, sinus infection
- •Weight gain, decreased or increased appetite
- •Drowsiness, dizziness, changes in 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, fatigue
RARE
- •Fungal or viral infections
- •Panic, difficulty thinking, restlessness, mood swings, depression, anxiety, hallucinations, changes in sex drive, feeling unwell or unhappy, slow thinking, psychosis (loss of contact with reality, inability to think clearly), abnormal behavior
- •Suicidal thoughts
- •Seizures, tremor, feeling faint, decreased touch sensation, increased muscle tone, speech problems, coordination problems, impaired taste, sleep rhythm disorders, sleepwalking, temporary loss of consciousness
- •Conjunctivitis, eye pain, visual disturbances, yellowing of whites of eyes, dilated pupils, light sensitivity, nearsightedness, watery eyes
- •Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- •Chest pain on exertion, rapid heartbeat, palpitations, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, hot flashes, heart attack, irregular heartbeat or heart rhythm problems
- •Inflammation of nose, sinuses and throat, blocked nose, throat and lungs, hoarseness, hay fever, throat irritation, blocked sinuses, excessive mucus from nose causing cough, runny nose, sore throat, snoring
- •Bloody stool, stomach irritation, changes in bowel habits, belching, mouth ulcers (canker sores), gum pain, bloody vomit, abnormal stools, coated tongue
- •Skin redness, acne, increased sweating, night sweats, severe skin reactions (like erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson syndrome), severe allergic reactions (like angioedema)
- •Muscle twitching, chest wall pain, joint stiffness, rib pain
- •Abnormally frequent urination, urinating at night, sugar in urine, increased and frequent urination
- •Heavy menstrual bleeding
- •Discomfort in chest area, flu-like illness, fever, feeling weak, feeling unwell, high blood sugar, excessive thirst, chills, cyst, diabetes
- •Stroke
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to varenicline or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Some people taking this medicine have felt depressed, had thoughts of harming themselves, or tried to commit suicide. If you feel agitated, depressed, or notice worrying changes in your behavior or have suicidal thoughts, stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor right away.
- Quitting smoking can change how other medicines work in your body, even if you are not taking this medicine. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose of other medications you take.
- If you have a history of mental health problems, talk to your doctor.
- New or worsening heart or blood vessel problems have been reported, especially in people with existing heart conditions. Tell your doctor if your symptoms change during treatment. Seek immediate medical help if you experience symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.
Show 7 more warnings
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures or epilepsy before starting this medicine. Some patients have reported seizures during treatment.
- Stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor immediately if you get signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of your face, lips, tongue, gums, throat, or body, or difficulty breathing, or wheezing.
- Severe skin reactions, including life-threatening rashes like Stevens-Johnson syndrome or erythema multiforme, have been reported. If you get a rash, or your skin starts to peel or blister, stop taking the medicine and seek immediate medical help.
- If you have kidney problems, talk to your doctor before using this medicine, as you may need a lower dose.
- This medicine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or temporary loss of consciousness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
- Some people have reported feeling more intoxicated by alcohol while taking this medicine.
- Avoid using this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor. It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk, so ask your doctor for advice if you are breastfeeding.