Varenicline Pfizer Initiation general information  

What is Varenicline Initiation Pfizer used for?

Varenicline Pfizer Initiation tablets are used to help smokers over the age of 18 quit smoking and withdraw from nicotine dependence.  Varenicline Pfizer Initiation tablets help relieve the craving for nicotine as well as reducing the withdrawal symptoms that smokers can experience when stopping smoking.  These withdrawal symptoms may include; dysphoria, an unpleasant, uncomfortable or depressed mood; insomnia; irritability, frustration or anger; anxiety; difficulty concentrating, restlessness or impatience; decreased heart rate, and increased appetite or weight gain.  Varenicline Pfizer Initiation tablets also block the usual rewarding or enjoyable effects associated with smoking inhaled tobacco, during the Varenicline Pfizer Initiation quit smoking period.  The Varenicline Pfizer Initiation pack is the first 4-week stage of a 12 week course designed to wean smokers off cigarettes.  This course begins ahead of a planned quit date with a one week gradual increase in dose and continues for the remainder of the 4 week initiation course.  Two further 4 weeks of the Varenicline Pfizer Continuation course of tablets are then taken.  If successful, additional Varenicline Pfizer Continuation courses are recommended to increase the chance of long-term nicotine abstinence.  Varenicline Pfizer Initiation helps with the quit smoking process and helps break the nicotine dependence habit, which reduces the risk of serious health problems caused by the many harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke, including heart disease, stroke and cancer.  Smoking cessation using Varenicline Pfizer Initiation tablets is more likely to be successful for those who are motivated to stop smoking and receive additional advice and support.

How does Varenicline Pfizer Initiation work?

Varenicline Pfizer Initiation tablets contain varenicline, which is a partial agonist of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α4β2 (nAChR) in the brain and is used to help smokers quit smoking and withdraw from nicotine dependence.  This nAChR receptor is the same receptor that nicotine in cigarettes binds to, stimulating the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain.  Neurotransmitters are chemicals that allow nerve cells to communicate and dopamine is the “feel good” neurotransmitter that regulates mood.  When stimulated by nicotine, dopamine creates a feeling of relaxation and euphoria in the reward circuits of the brain, but this falls off when the cigarette is finished, leading to the craving for another cigarette, which eventually leads to addiction.  Varenicline in Varenicline Pfizer Initiation tablets binds to and partially activates the same nAChR receptor in the brain, which in turn stimulates the release of dopamine to a lesser extent than nicotine but in sufficient amounts to reduce nicotine craving and withdrawal symptoms.  Varenicline in Varenicline Pfizer Initiation tablets also acts as an antagonist by blocking nicotine binding to its receptor and preventing any further release of dopamine by inhaled nicotine, blocking reinforcement of the reward and enjoyment effect caused by nicotine that is short-lived and leads to addiction.  These actions of Varenicline in Varenicline Pfizer Initiation help provide the motivation to quit smoking, by reducing withdrawal symptoms, reducing the satisfaction and pleasure previously obtained from cigarette smoking, and thereby removing the physical dependency on nicotine.

What does Varenicline Pfizer Initiation contain?

Varenicline Pfizer Initiation tablets contain the active ingredient varenicline tartrate that is used to help smokers quit smoking.  The Varenicline Pfizer Initiation pack contains 11 white 0.5mg tablets and 42 blue 1mg tablets.  They also contain microcrystalline cellulose, calcium hydrogen phosphate, croscarmellose sodium, silica-colloidal anhydrous, magnesium stearate, Opadry Blue (1mg), Opadry White (0.5mg) and Opadry Clear.  

Quit smoking with Varenicline Pfizer Initiation

Varenicline Pfizer Initiation tablets contain varenicline that is used to help smokers quit smoking.  Varenicline Pfizer Initiation is the first 4-week stage of a 12 week course designed to wean smokers off cigarettes by working in two ways: reducing the withdrawal symptoms and craving for nicotine during the quitting process and reducing the reward and enjoyment of smoking, due to inhaled nicotine.  Varenicline in Varenicline Pfizer Initiation tablets binds to the same receptor in the brain that nicotine in cigarettes binds to.  When nicotine binds to its receptor it stimulates release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain.  Neurotransmitters are chemicals that allow nerve cells to communicate and dopamine is the “feel good” neurotransmitter that regulates mood.  When stimulated by nicotine, dopamine creates a feeling of relaxation and euphoria in the reward circuits of the brain, but this falls off when the cigarette is finished, leading to the craving for another cigarette, which eventually leads to addiction.  Varenicline in Varenicline Pfizer Initiation tablets binds to the same receptors in the brain as nicotine, which stimulates the release of dopamine to a lesser extent than nicotine but in sufficient amounts to reduce nicotine craving and withdrawal symptoms.  Varenicline in Varenicline Pfizer Initiation tablets also blocks nicotine binding to its receptor, preventing any further release of dopamine by inhaled nicotine and preventing reinforcement of the reward and enjoyment effect caused by nicotine that is short-lived and leads to addiction.  Varenicline Pfizer Initiation helps break the nicotine dependence habit to allow you to quit smoking, which reduces the risk of serious health problems caused by the many harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke, including heart disease, stroke and cancer.  Varenicline Pfizer Initiation is followed by Varenicline Pfizer Continuation to increase the chance of long-term nicotine abstinence. 

What are the side effects of Varenicline Pfizer Initiation?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Varenicline Pfizer Initiation include gastrointestinal upset (constipation, bloating, indigestion, wind, vomiting, stomach discomfort) dry mouth, headache, fatigue, dizziness, sleep problems, increased appetite, changes in taste.

When should Varenicline Pfizer Initiation not be used?

You should not use Varenicline Pfizer Initiation if you:

• are allergic to varenicline or any ingredients in Varenicline Pfizer Initiation
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney disease
• have or have had a mental illness like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder without discussion with your doctor, as Varenicline Pfizer Initiation may cause neuropsychiatric symptoms
• have epilepsy, without discussion with your doctor
• are taking medicines that interact with Varenicline Pfizer Initiation including cimetidine for reflux, warfarin for heart failure

How should Varenicline Pfizer Initiation be taken?

You should take your Varenicline Pfizer Initiation tablets ahead of your designated quit smoking day, swallowed whole with or without food at the same time each day.  The first step in the Varenicline Pfizer Initiation quit smoking program is to decide on a quit smoking start date and you should start taking your low dose Varenicline Pfizer Initiation tablets 7-14 days ahead of this date, while you are still smoking cigarettes, to allow Varenicline Pfizer Initiation to take effect before you quit.  Follow this dosing plan:

Week 1

• On days 1-3 take one white 0.5mg Varenicline Pfizer Initiation tablet once daily
• On days 4-7 take one white 0.5mg Varenicline Pfizer Initiation tablets twice daily, one in the morning and one in the evening

Weeks 2-4

On day 8 until the end of treatment take one blue 1mg tablets twice daily, one in the morning and one in the evening.

How long should you take Varenicline Pfizer Initiation?

You should continue to take your Varenicline Pfizer Initiation tablets for the first four weeks of your 12 week quit smoking programme, followed by tablets in your Varenicline Pfizer Continuation pack for the remainder of the 12 weeks.  If you have successfully quit smoking after 12 weeks, your doctor may recommend another 12 week course of Varenicline Pfizer Continuation to help prevent you from smoking again and increase your chances or quitting long-term.  If you do not succeed in quitting smoking or you have a relapse, you will be encouraged to make another attempt, once you have identified the reasons for your relapse.  Your doctor may recommend that you begin again with Varenicline Pfizer Initiation.  

Missed dose of Varenicline Pfizer Initiation

If you miss a dose of Varenicline Pfizer Initiation take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  If it is less than 6 hours before your next dose skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the intended time.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Varenicline Pfizer Initiation be stored?

You should store your Varenicline Pfizer Initiation below 25°C in a cool dry place.