online pharmacy
Takes less than 2 minutes
Reviewed by UK doctors
Varenicline, pronounced var-EN-i-kleen, is a stop-smoking treatment and is available to buy on prescription from Oxford Online Pharmacy.
Varenicline tablets, also known as the brand name Champix, contain the active ingredient Varenicline, a medicine used for smoking cessation. Varenicline does not contain nicotine.
Varenicline UK is used by adults who struggle to stop smoking and for those who have struggled to stop with nicotine replacement such as gum and patches.
According to the NHS, Varenicline Champix tablets are the most effective medicine for helping people stop smoking. [1]
Other studies also back the Varenicline NHS findings, such as a 2013 study comparing the effectiveness of NRT and Varenicline on smokers, research suggests that Varenicline tablets are superior to other stop-smoking methods.[2] Another study reports that up to 45.5% of people stopped smoking with Varenicline treatment compared to 33% of those using nicotine replacement therapy.[5]
How does Varenicline work?
Varenicline UK is a prescription-only medicine used to treat nicotine addiction and cravings.
The Varenicline drug can help you stop smoking in the following ways;
- Stops cravings and withdrawal symptoms, such as bad moods associated with stopping smoking
- Reduces the enjoyment if you smoke cigarettes during treatment
How to stop smoking with Varenicline tablets?
Stopping smoking with Varenicline UK is most effective when you are motivated to stop, there is additional support and resources to help with this and more information can be found on the NHS Stop Smoking page.
Before beginning your Varenicline treatment, we suggest you choose a ‘quit date’ in the second week (between days 8 and 14) for when you will stop smoking.
If you're unable or unwilling to set a quit date within 2 weeks, choose a target quit date that you are comfortable with within 5 weeks of starting the treatment. Be sure to note this date on the pack as a reminder.
Can I use Varenicline to stop vaping?
Yes, Varenicline UK can be used to stop vaping in adults over 18 years old. A 2025 Oxford University report on the effectiveness of Varenicline for vaping cessation saw promising results in their study when their participants used Varenicline to stop vaping. [3]
There are still limited studies on stopping vaping with Varenicline therefore, the full effectiveness of this treatment and vaping is not yet known.
Varenicline (Generic Champix) reviews
How to use Varenicline (Generic Champix)
You must always take Varenicline as directed by your prescribing doctor. If you are unsure of anything, get in touch and a member of our dedicated healthcare team will be happy to help.
These tablets can be taken with or without food and should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.
Varenicline dosing schedule
Varenicline comes in two forms: a white tablet (0.5mg) and a light blue tablet (1mg). You would typically start with the white tablets and then proceed to the blue tablets.
Below, you can find the usual Varenacline tablet dosage chart:
|
Week 1 |
Dose |
|---|---|
|
Days 1-3 (Starter pack) |
Take one (White) 0.5mg tablet daily |
|
Days 4-7 (Starter pack) |
Take one (White) 0.5mg tablet twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, at the same time each day |
|
Week 2 |
|
|
Days 8-14 (Continuation pack) |
Take one (Blue) 1mg tablet, once in the morning and once in the evening, at the same time each day |
|
Week 3- 12 |
|
|
Day 15 - end of treatment (Continuation pack) |
Take one (Blue) 1mg tablet, once in the morning and once in the evening, at the same time each day |
Towards the end of your treatment with Varenicline (Champix) tablets, your doctor might suggest doing another 12 weeks of treatment with Varenicline 1mg tablets, twice daily to prevent returning to smoking. [4]
If you forget to take a dose of Varenicline, do so as soon as possible. However, if it's nearly time for your next dose, wait and take your next dose at the scheduled time.
Side effects of Varenicline (Generic Champix)
Stop smoking alone can cause various withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, trouble sleeping, hunger and depression. Using medicine such as Varenicline tablets will prevent some of these unwanted symptoms from stopping however, like any medicine, there is a chance of side effects with Varenicline.
Varenicline side effects will vary, and not everybody will experience them. If you experience any of the following side effects that become persistent or unbearable, contact your healthcare provider immediately for advice.
Very common Varenicline side effects (more than 1 in 10 people) include:
- Nausea
- Inflammation of the nose and throat
- Difficulty sleeping
- Abnormal dreams
- Headaches
Common side effects (up to 1 in 10 people) include:
- Weight increase/decrease
- Chest infection
- A cough
- Shortness of breath
- Heartburn
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Bloating
- Toothache
- Flatulence
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Heartburn
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Change in the way things taste
- Joint and muscle aches
- Back pain
- Chest pain
This is not a full list of side effects. To find more, visit the Varenicline tablet patient information leaflet. You can find more detailed information about these tablets through the Varenicline BNF here.
If you experience any of the serious side effects of Varenicline, stop taking the medicine and seek medical attention right away.
