Going a bit off topic on this one, but change is good. Recently I had a medical event, which will eventually require surgery.I thought it would be a smart choice to quit smoking ahead of time. A huge mistake on my part.
I decided to try Chantix. Worst experience of my life, Almost worse than the time I spent with the Ex Wife and her spoiled kid.
I can't say my Doctors didn't give me a hint it wasn't a smart choice, One said it would be better to quit cold turkey, It required 2 doctors to agree to the prescription, plus it was the most extpensive prescription I've ever had.
I suffered from it, The Web Site Suffered and Deb suffered, she took it like the amazing woman she is though.
Here's my story:
According to WEBmd these are the known side effects, quite a list:
Constipation - Agreed
Difficulty Sleeping - Agreed
Headache - No Problem
Nausea - Agreed
Vomiting - Only when I tried to eat, or thought about eating.
Gas - Something crawled up my butt and died.
Abnormal Dreams - Not so bad
Angina - No Problem
Nightmares - None
A Common Cold - None
Dry Mouth - Constantly
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease - No Change
Indigestion - Absolutely
Itching - This was terrible.
Drowsiness - Constantly, but couldn't fall asleep
Low Energy - No ambition, Felt like I didn't care it I pissed myself or got up to go to bathroom.
Excessive Sweating - More chills than sweating.
A Skin Rash - None
Decreased Appetite - Didn't eat for 3 days at one point.
Increased Hunger - But no appetite.
Low Energy And Weakness - Absolutely
Runny Nose - And tons of phlegm.
Generalized Weakness - All Over.
A Feeling Of General Discomfort Called Malaise - Mostly no ambition.
Intense Abdominal Pain - None
Diabetes - None
Anemia - None
Mental Problems From Taking The Drug - Physical more tham mental. I feel Okay mentally.
Manic Behavior - None
Suicidal Behavior - None
Suicidal Thoughts - None
Thoughts Of Hurting Or Killing Others - None, just killing cats. Normal for me.
High Blood Pressure - Elevated, not high.
A Heart Attack - None
Abnormal Heart Rhythm - At times.
A Transient Ischemic Attack, A Type Of Stroke That Lasts Only A Few Minutes - None
A Stroke - None
A Blood Clot - None
Acute Inflammation Of The Pancreas - None
Erythema Multiforme, A Type Of Allergic Skin Reaction - None
A Skin Disorder With Blistering And Peeling Skin Called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome - None
Unconsciousness - Lightheadness, Dizzyness & feeling faint.
Seizures - None
Abnormal Liver Function Tests - Not Applicable
A Type Of Allergic Reaction Called Angioedema - None
A Hypersensitivity Reaction To A Drug - None
Problems Metabolizing Alcohol - None, I don't drink.
An Accidental Injury - None
Altered Interest In Having Sexual Intercourse - None
A Change In Vision - None
Ringing In The Ears - Slight
Peripheral Vascular Disease - None
Inflammation Of The Nose Due To An Allergy - None
A Toothache - Frequent, but I have bad teeth.
The Inability To Have An Erection - At times.
A Problem With Menstrual Periods - Not Applicable
Increased Sensitivity Of The Skin To The Sun - Never have cared to be in direct sun, too warm.
A Type Of Skin Condition With Redness And Itching Called Eczema - None
Psoriasis - None
Acne - None
Dry Skin - None
Joint Pain - None
Backache - Not from Chantix
Muscle Pain - None
Cramps - None
Sensation Of Spinning Or Whirling - Absolutely
Dizziness - Absolutely
A Sleep Disorder - Absolutely
Flu-Like Symptoms - None
Taste Impairment - Nothing tastes good.
Visible Water Retention - Comes with medical condition.
Temporary Redness Of Face And Neck - None
Weight Gain - None, loss from lack of appetite.
Nosebleed - None
Heart Throbbing Or Pounding - None
Swollen Lymph Nodes - None
Diarrhea - None, constipation.
An Increased Need To Urinate Often - Yes
Excess Urination - Not exess, just too frequent.
Urination During The Night - Yes, Every 2 or 3 hours.
Sleepwalking - None, Gotta be able to sleep.
Anxious Feelings - None
Drug-Induced Hot Flashes - None
They didn't mention seeing spots. I do realize different people are affected differently.
Quite a list isn't it? My biggest issues were the light headedness & Dizzyness, And Lack of decent sleep.
I only took it fo 10 days, I feel it will take as long for it to exit my system.
The scary part, my daily dose was just 0.25 mg, I can't imagine what it would have been any higher.
I don't trust myself to drive or mow the lawn until the dizzyness and light headedness go away.
In the end, I did cut down on smoking. But I also cut down on eating, drinking and sleeping. I don't feel it was worth it.
Take it however you feel. But in my opinion, Chantix is nasty stuff.