About varenicline
Smoking cessation medicine; nicotinic receptor partial agonist
Used for
- Helps adults stop smoking by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Usual adult dose
Usually 0.5 mg once daily, increased gradually to 1 mg twice daily; treatment commonly lasts 12 weeks.
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Vivid dreams or sleep problems
- Headache
- Constipation
Important warnings
- May cause mood or behavior changes, including suicidal thoughts; monitor for concerning changes.
- Can cause dizziness or sleepiness; use caution driving until effects are known.
- Dose adjustment may be needed with severe kidney problems.
- Seizures and allergic skin reactions have been reported.
Pregnancy
Avoid during pregnancy unless a clinician considers benefits greater than risks; safety is not established.
Breastfeeding
Unknown whether varenicline enters breast milk; use requires clinician assessment.
Interactions
- Cessation can change effects of medicines such as insulin, theophylline, and warfarin.
- Combining with nicotine replacement may increase nausea, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and fatigue.
- Alcohol may worsen unusual behavior or memory problems in some people.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.