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Varenicline partly stimulates nicotine receptors, reducing withdrawal and the reward from smoking. It improves the chance of stopping when combined with motivation and behavioural support, but no course guarantees abstinence.

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How to use

Two things run in parallel from day one: how the tablet is taken, and the quit plan it is meant to support.

Swallow after food with water

Take each tablet whole after food with a full glass of water to reduce nausea. Use the starter pack in order, and don’t combine it with another quit-smoking medicine unless the prescriber has planned it.

Pair tablets with a quit plan

Set the agreed target quit date, usually 1–2 weeks after starting, and use behavioural support for triggers and cravings. A flexible quit date within the first 5 weeks may be agreed in some cases.

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Dose schedule

This gradual start improves tolerance. Kidney function or side effects may require a lower dose, and a further course is considered individually.

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What has been reported

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Contact your doctor if

  • Thoughts of self-harm, severe agitation, psychosis, a seizure, chest pain, or stroke symptoms — seek urgent help
  • A severe skin reaction, facial or throat swelling, or breathing difficulty
  • Nausea, insomnia, mood effects, or kidney-related concerns make it hard to continue, or smoking has not stopped as planned

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Storage

Keep in the original package, away from moisture and direct heat, and out of children’s reach. Follow the temperature limit on your pack and do not use it after the expiry date.

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What to expect

The prescribed course is commonly 12 weeks. Review slips without judgement and adjust the plan with the clinician rather than stopping unreviewed. See also the cytisine quit-smoking guide, how the consultation works, and how we handle safety and eligibility.
This page is reference information, not medical advice and not a prescription. Whether a medicine is appropriate for you is decided by a registered doctor after reviewing your consultation.