Varenicline Pfizer Continuation 1mg

Varenicline Pfizer Continuation general information  

What is Varenicline Continuation Pfizer used for?

Varenicline Pfizer Continuation tablets are used to help smokers over the age of 18 quit smoking and withdraw from nicotine dependence.  Varenicline Pfizer Continuation 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 Continuation tablets also block the usual rewarding or enjoyable effects associated with smoking inhaled tobacco, during the Varenicline Pfizer Continuation quit smoking period.  The Varenicline Pfizer Continuation pack is the second 4 week stage of a 12 week course designed to wean smokers off cigarettes.  This stage follows the first 4 week course with Varenicline Pfizer Initiation tablets. If successful, additional Varenicline Pfizer Continuation courses are recommended to increase the chance of long-term nicotine abstinence.  Varenicline Pfizer Continuation 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 Continuation 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 Continuation work?

Varenicline Pfizer Continuation 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 Continuation 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 Continuation 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 Continuation 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 Continuation contain?

Varenicline Pfizer Continuation tablets contain the active ingredient varenicline tartrate that is used to help smokers quit smoking.  The Varenicline Pfizer Continuation pack contains 56 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 Continuation

Varenicline Pfizer Continuation tablets contain varenicline that is used to help smokers quit smoking.  Varenicline Pfizer Continuation is the second 4 week stage of a 12 week course designed to wean smokers off cigarettes.  This stage follows the first 4 week course with Varenicline Pfizer Initiation tablets.  Varenicline in Varenicline Pfizer Continuation tablets works in two ways by 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 Continuation 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 Continuation 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 Continuation 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 Continuation 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. 

What are the side effects of Varenicline Pfizer Continuation?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Varenicline Pfizer Continuation 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 Continuation not be used?

You should not use Varenicline Pfizer Continuation if you:

• are allergic to varenicline or any ingredients in Varenicline Pfizer Continuation
• 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 Continuation may cause neuropsychiatric symptoms
• have epilepsy, without discussion with your doctor
• are taking medicines that interact with Varenicline Pfizer Continuation including cimetidine for reflux, warfarin for heart failure

How should Varenicline Pfizer Continuation be taken?

You should take your Varenicline Pfizer Continuation tablets swallowed whole twice daily morning and evening with or without food.  Varenicline Pfizer Continuation tablets should only be taken after completing the Varenicline Pfizer Initiation course.  You should continue to take your Varenicline Pfizer Continuation tablets until you have completed the course of Varenicline Pfizer Continuation.  You may then be offered 2 further 4 week courses of Varenicline Pfizer Continuation tablets. 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.  

How long should you take Varenicline Pfizer Continuation?

You should continue to take your Varenicline Pfizer Continuation tablets until you have completed the course of Varenicline Pfizer Continuation.  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 Continuation.  

Missed dose of Varenicline Pfizer Continuation

If you miss a dose of Varenicline Pfizer Continuation take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. 

How should Varenicline Pfizer Continuation be stored?

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