Both Champix and Chantix are brand names of the same stop smoking medicine based on the active ingredient varenicline. This medicine is sold in Europe as Champix, while Chantix is its brand name in the United States. Both of these medicines are produced by Pfizer pharmaceutical company and both rely on a unique mechanism of action that makes Champix stand out among all the other smoking cessation aids.
Varenicline acts by weakly stimulating nicotine receptors in the brain, binding to them and thus simultaneously reducing the cravings and other nicotine withdrawal symptoms while reducing the effect inhaled nicotine has on the subjective experience – in other words, reducing the pleasure gained from consuming tobacco products.
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What are the differences between Champix and Chantix?
The only real difference between the two is the name of the product. In all other factors they are completely identical – it is only that Pfizer decided to market their product under slightly different names in these two major markets. In fact, not only are Champix and Chantix identical in terms of active ingredient, mechanism of action, available doses, success rates and possible side effects, but they have also been approved for sale in the same year (2006) by both European Medicines Agency1 (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).2
Is Champix better than Chantix?
As Champix and Chantix are the same product and both work in exactly the same manner, relying on the one and the same active ingredient, it is not possible to say that one works better than the other. The effectiveness and success rates of both are directly linked to the unique mechanism of action of their shared active ingredient varenicline.
Varenicline is officially classified as a nicotinic receptor partial agonist. What this means in layman’s terms is that this pharmaceutical compound works by mimicking the effect nicotine has on specific receptors in the brain. This stimulation, although weaker than it is the case with nicotine molecules, helps reduce the cravings and withdrawal effects experienced by people trying to quit smoking.
At the same time, varenicline can significantly reduce the pleasure experienced when smoking simply because its molecules are competing with nicotine for receptor occupancy. Again, in layman’s terms, this means that due to the fact that varenicline molecules will bind to certain receptors in the brain, inhaled nicotine won’t be able to do the same (or at least in the same amount). The bottom line is, people using Champix (or Chantix) are significantly less likely to experience the same subjective feelings when smoking as opposed to the feeling they had prior to the treatment.
If Champix and Chantix are the same – why do they have different names?
Naming of the medicines, especially their active ingredients (so-called generic names) isn’t completely up to pharmaceutical companies – the World Health Organisation plays a crucial part in deciding on these matters in order to minimise the likelihood of prescription errors. Pharmaceutical companies primarily decide on their branded name in order to mark the produced medication.
However, even when choosing the brand name, pharmaceutical companies need to adhere to the norms and regulations put forward but regulatory body of any given market they wish to appear on. In some instances, as was the case with Pfizer’s Champix, the name used in Europe wasn’t approved by the relevant authorities in the US. This is why the company picked similarly-sounding Chantix which is in line with the American requirements.
Are both Champix and Chantix prescription-only medicines?
Yes, although there are some instances where the differences between regulations of different markets can lead to the medicine being prescription-only in one case and OTC in other, this is not the case with Champix. Both in Europe and the US, you can buy Champix only with a valid prescription, issued by a certified medical professional.
How are these stop smoking medicines used?
During the first three days of the treatment, one pill of 0.5mg will be taken daily. However, on the fourth day, the dose will be increased to one 0.5mg pill twice per day, until the end of the first week of treatment.
On the first day of the second week, the dose will be increased to 1mg pill twice daily. This dose will remain constant over the remaining 12 weeks of the treatment.
Stop smoking date which is usually chosen early in the treatment, sometimes even before commencing the treatment, should be timed to second week of the treatment.
Finally, if the doctor decides there is significant risk of relapse, then additional 12 week course might be recommended.
In addition to this, the doctor might review and change your prescribed dose if certain side effects do manifest, but there is no reason to stop treatment yet. In these cases 1mg doses might be replaced by 0.5mg ones.
Is Champix the right medicine for me?
The final answer to this question will be given by your doctor. If you are thinking about quitting smoking, then you should definitely talk to your doctor or even your local stop smoking service or support group. People experienced with this issue will be able to share their experiences and advise you on the most suitable form of smoking cessation aids.
In some cases, varenicline-based medicine won’t be recommended. This is usually the case if you have a history of mental health problems or even predisposition for this kind of issues. The reason behind this is that Champix has been known to be able to trigger mood swings and suicidal tendencies in people who are susceptible to these issues.
If Champix is contraindicated, you will still be able to use one of the alternatives. For example, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT for short) is a good option for many and it is available in numerous different forms, including patches, gums and lozenges.
On the other hand, Champix is not the only prescription-only stop smoking medicine. As an alternative to it, the doctor might recommend taking Zyban – however, this medicine will be prescribed, similarly to Champix, only if the doctor assesses that you are suitable for this treatment.
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