Chantix: What comes next? - Smoking Cessation Message Board

Nosmo King · 02-26-2007, 06:06 PM

What do you do after you kick the habit with Chantix? I have sampled most of the treads related to this drug but only find a little info on quitting Chantix. Looks like over half of users are having success for several weeks or even a few months. We all have some side effects but they don't stop most. Many fade of go away. Seems like virtually everyone who stay on Chantix for two months or more does lose the desire to smoke, at least while on the medication. After quitting many seem to have big problems, almost like a delayed withdrawal from nicotine.

So, if there are any double quitters out there (cigs and Chantix), I would love to have your experience and also any hints at how to best quit the drug. How long do you take it? Do you reduce the dose or quit cold turkey? Let's figure out how and when to know we are cured. Anyone out there who can help?

Nosmo King
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Memaw649 · 02-27-2007, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nosmo King

What do you do after you kick the habit with Chantix? I have sampled most of the treads related to this drug but only find a little info on quitting Chantix. Looks like over half of users are having success for several weeks or even a few months. We all have some side effects but they don't stop most. Many fade of go away. Seems like virtually everyone who stay on Chantix for two months or more does lose the desire to smoke, at least while on the medication. After quitting many seem to have big problems, almost like a delayed withdrawal from nicotine.

So, if there are any double quitters out there (cigs and Chantix), I would love to have your experience and also any hints at how to best quit the drug. How long do you take it? Do you reduce the dose or quit cold turkey? Let's figure out how and when to know we are cured. Anyone out there who can help?

Nosmo King
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Hi neighbor!!

Welcome to the boards!! This is a great place.
I have been quit smoking for 6 months 1 week and 5 days. I used the Chantix for 12 weeks. I had my last cigarette on August 14, 2006. How long have you been quit? How long have you been on the Chantix?

You ask about getting off the Chantix. My doctor had me to do this:
The last 4 days supply (8 pills) were split in half.
For 5 days I took 1/2 pill in the morning and 1/2 pill in the evening. (5 pills)
For 6 days I took 1/2 pill in the morning. (3 pills)

I had no trouble. I did not want to smoke when I got off the Chantix. It was no different than when I was on it. I still get what I call mini urges. They last for just a milli-second and then poof, they're gone.

If anyone else has completed their 12 weeks, please post how you got off. I'm curious to know how other people did it.

Memaw

True Brit · 02-27-2007, 08:41 AM

Nosmo King
You asked about what happened when I forgot my Chantix. At 4am I awoke from a horrific nightmare and felt a sort of high anxiety. The next day I had waves of black depression that were much worse than you would expect from nicotine withdrawal. I am normally not a depressive type of person and I found it really scary. It's possible that it wasn't caused by lack of Chantix but it hasn't happened since.

I am now worrying about withdrawal too much I am sure but 2 days ago I cut off a third of a tab (not easy) I can tell the difference and I feel a bit down but it's not terrible. On 12th March I plan to take half tabs. If that works out I will take just the am dose from the 19th until the 26th of March and then finish

Trish M&M · 03-01-2007, 04:47 PM

Hi Nosmo Smoke: I've got 2 months and a week to go before I start thinking about coming off Chantix, but I have concerns about it. I read something on another Board today that sounds like something I might try. This person stayed on Chantix for 4 months. During that 4th month, he started taking one a day for 2 weeks then reduced it to 1/2 a pill until he was finished up. Said he didn't have any Chantix "withdrawal", etc. Meemaw did something long those same lines, but she didn't continue the treatment for a 4th month. I just gotta think that tapering is better than abruptly stopping. I hope you'll continue to post to let us know how coming off the rx goes for you.

Best of Luck!!

chantypals · 03-01-2007, 05:24 PM

Well I took chantix for about 100 days and then tapered myself down to none over the course of a month. I have been smokefree for almost 6 months and chantix free for almost two months.

I was fine in the beginning, but have noticed a change in my "happy" attitude, but it could be a combination of many, many things - not sure at this point.

Hope this helps.

Beth