Over the last few years we have received many powerful stories from visitors about the stop-smoking drug Chantix (varenicline). Some have been very pleased with the ease with which they quit smoking. Here is just one testimonial:
“I was a smoker for 25 years when I started using Chantix. I quit in about 2 weeks and I haven’t smoked since. The best part of my story is that my 2 sons who smoke also took Chantix and quit. My niece and her husband were impressed with the results and quit with it. I can’t tell you how it has changed my life. I always saw myself smoking and it scared me but I never thought I could quit.”
Rhonda, Jan. 28, 2011
Others have found this drug extremely difficult to use. Some have experienced intolerable side effects:
“Within the first week of using Chantix, I experienced side effects of depression, anxiety, nausea, and vivid dreams. I knew that they were part of using this medication. Within the next month, though, I started to become severely depressed, even suicidal. Never once before had I experienced depression.
“It has always taken a lot to get me emotionally upset and now I cannot stop crying. Even the smallest things can set me off. I have also gained almost 30 pounds within two months. My husband finally said no more and wanted me off the medication. It was not worth the medical and emotional complications even if it helped me quit.
“That was a mistake. I quit Chantix cold turkey. Within 24 hours I was rushed to the emergency room with extreme nausea and what felt like a heart attack. I am still experiencing side effects such as headaches, low libido, nausea and insomnia.”
