Decreasing dosage after a few weeks...
Dear all,
I am not a smoker! I am actually trying to get some help for a dear colleague who is quitting smoking on Champix medication.
I hope it is appropriate to ask a question, otherwise please let me know and I apologize in advance.
So, my colleague has been on Champix for 7 weeks now, he told me it took 2-3 weeks to stop smoking (which I understand is a bit longer time than usual, right?) but then he went on quite ok. The only thing, he told me he felt kind of down, especially during the week end when not busy, not really motivated to do anything. Then last week he forgot to take 1 or 2 pills and all of the sudden he felt much better. I told him he should stick to the administration schedule etc. but finally he started to skip medication, as he feels much better. He is really keen on just quitting the medication early but he is still hesitating... Again, I told him to stick to the schedule or just talk to the doctor and maybe interrupt the course completely. But he keeps asking me data around half life of the medication and plasma levels, data on dose/efficacy etc. - anything that could justify him taking less or no medical at all before the end of the course (I have a medical background so he keeps asking).
Do you have any suggestion for my colleague and friend? any of you that experienced better therapy course on a lower dosage? or maybe, how did you overcome the side effects and what convinced you to stay on therapy despite adverse events? I really think he should stay on therapy (I would!), but I also understand he is afraid of feeling bad. He says his doctor does not have a clue, so he is not going to talk to her.
Best wishes and congratulations to all of you.
that seems like a long time to be on those pills! my dr only prescribed me one packet which gives me 28 days. Advised me to quit during 2nd week, which i did. i am as of today 7 days quit! only 2 more wks of champix left @ 0 repeats! hope i'll be ok!
Hi Zooei I have never been on Champix but as long as your friend doesn't smoke he's doing fine. I don't think this is a case like antibiotics where you need to take the whole course and if they are not agreeing with him I too would be getting off them. I have read a few stories on this website where people have used Champix for a short while and flicked them and quit. The best thing you can do for your friend is to tell them everyday that they are strong and they have got this, your support will strengthen their determination to stay strong in their quit. One last thing I don't think there is any right or wrong way to quit, the end game is what counts and that's to be free and be a nonsmokers. I wish your friend well😊
Dear @joanne, first of all, congratulations, well done! I am really surprised to read that the therapy could be prescribed for a shorter period, my friend will be happy to hear!
Dear @Leeann, thanks for your advice. I suspect my friend does not feel that "convinced" he actually really made it. I think smoking is still at the top of his thoughts - otherwise he would not call me daily to ask for advice... he told me he will celebrate only around xmas like if he does not smoke for 3-4 months...
Based on what you say, and other stories I read, I should tell him he can just stop... I just hope he won't blame me should he start again ;)
But thanks, I will try to encourage him!
By the way, I am actually writing from Switzerland, greetings from Europe!
Hi
I stopped smoking 3 weeks after taking champix and here in oz the full course is for three month x2 so for 6 months all together. 7 weeks is nothing. Good luck to your friend!