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Caution about Champix

Posted in Quit experiences
By ettiene
schedule 14 Aug 2013

Started nearly 3 wks ago on Champix. Quit on day 10. Then 9 days later (yesterday) I suffered a severe depressive episode with anxiety and irrational thoughts that even included thoughts of suicide. Please be aware that this is a very real potential side effect of this drug. Today I have gone cold turkey as I think I can deal with the physical cravings, but that psychological trauma of yesterday was one of the worst days of my life.  

schedule 14 Aug 2013

it is obvious champix was not for you, your doctor is at fault for not explaining champix to you,it should not have been prescribed to you if you suffer from depression, there are risks with any drug, because champix did not work for it might help someone else you only have to read the stories of success on this forum there are other drug free methods besides cold turkey, do some research, well all the best and goodluck.

By Dottily
schedule 14 Aug 2013

Hi Ettiene, are your thoughts back to normal now? Sounds like a terrifying, out of the blue, experience. I'm using Nicabate lozenges, and find they help with the sudden cravings. If going cold turkey is too hard it might be worth considering some form of NRT, even if you just have something handy rather than use it regularly. I hope it goes well for you, and that you feel okay now.

schedule 16 Aug 2013

Yikes Ettiene, that sounds like a real concern - it's a good thing you put a pause on it. I like John's suggestion of hypnosis as I've heard some good reports on that one (although John is living proof).

Champix is a strange one. I've posted on here about how i've got depression (and am on antidepressants) and in particular, how concerned I was about using Champix. In my case, it has been an utter miracle cheat-sheet. I don't think I ever truly expected to quit before I died - but here I am feeling like a hardman and all healthy. So the Champix didn't worsen my depression, it helped ease it.

However, as you clearly point out - this is not always the case. I reckon Champix must be something you start on with your doctor and work closely with them for the first month, looking for any signs of trouble, such as you unfortunately experienced.

When it's bad, it sounds real bad. But when it's good, it's brilliant. Shame it's not consistent for all of us - perhaps they will improve it in time. Let's hope.