Chantix tablets are sold under prescription as a smoking cessation medication. The generic name for the drug is varencline tartrate and it attaches to nicotine receptors in the brain, blocking nicotine from cigarettes. It also causes the release of a reduced amount of dopamine in the nicotine receptors compared to nicotine. The effects of Chantix tablets include reducing the craving for nicotine and reducing the addictive effect of nicotine. This smoking cessation drug is meant to be taken along with participation in the GetQuit program created by the drug manufacturer.
Cardiac and Blood Side Effects
A common cardiac side effect for people on Chantix is high blood pressure. Less common side effects include chest pain, low blood pressure, blood clot, loss of blood flow to an extremity, heart attack, fast heart rate, slow heart rate, irregular heart rhythm, a feeling of the heart pounding in the chest, heart disease, heart enlargement and acute coronary syndrome (a condition in which the heart is not receiving enough oxygen). Side effects related to blood are uncommon and include anemia, leukocytosis (too few of a type of white blood cells), high level of fat in the blood, low potassium, high potassium, low blood sugar and thrombocytopenia (too few platelets).
Neurological Side Effects
Common neurological side effects include emotional disorder, depression, sensory disturbance, dizziness, anxiety, restlessness, sleep disturbance, irritability and difficulty paying attention. Uncommon side effects include the following: stroke, transient ischemic attack (stroke symptoms that are not permanent), fainting, tremor, headache, abnormal dreams, balance disorder, flushing, migraine headache, aggression, amnesia, difficulty identifying smells, psychotic disorder, thoughts of suicide, euphoria, abnormal thinking, dissociation (feeling detached from the mind or body), disorientation, agitation, mood swings, hallucination, slowed thinking, mental impairment, difficulty coordinating movement, multiple sclerosis, convulsion, restless legs syndrome, facial palsy (paralysis of a nerve that controls facial muscles), ringing in the ear, deafness, Meniere's Disease (an inner ear disease), involuntary eye movements, difficulty seeing, eye inflammation or irritation, dry eye, eye pain, temporary blindness, eye floaters, visual sensitivity to light, cataract, and problems with the blood vessels of the eye.
Suicide attempts and suicide have been reported in Chantix users and patients should be monitored for these and other serious psychiatric reactions.
Gastrointestinal Side Effects
Common gastrointestinal side effects of Chantix include nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, gas and inflammation of the gums. Less common side effects include inflammation of the esophagus, stomach, colon or small intestine, acute pancreatitis (sudden inflammation of the pancreas), gallbladder disorder, difficulty swallowing, unpleasant taste, belching, stomach ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding, mouth sore and intestinal obstruction.
Respiratory Side Effects
Chantix commonly causes various respiratory side effects which are unnamed by the manufacturer. Less common side effects include asthma, pulmonary embolism and pleurisy (inflammation of the lining of the lungs).
Musculoskeletal Side Effects
Common musculoskeletal side effects include joint and muscle pain, back pain, musculoskeletal pain, and muscle cramp. Less common side effects include inflamed muscle, arthritis and osteoporosis.
Renal and Reproductive Side Effects
Common renal and reproductive side effects include frequent urination and menstrual difficulties. Less common side effects include loss of sexual interest, kidney stones, nighttime voiding, acute kidney failure, abnormal urine, difficulty urinating, erectile dysfunction and sexual difficulties.
Dermatological Side Effects
A common dermatological side effect is excessive sweating. Less common side effects include sensitivity to sunlight, acne, dry skin, redness, itching, eczema and inflammation of the skin.
Other Side Effects
Common side effects of varenicline tartrate include nosebleed, non-cardiac chest pain, weight gain, swelling of the extremeties, thirst and flu-like illness. Uncommon side effects include enlarged lymph nodes, enlarged spleen, thyroid gland disorder, tiredness, weakness, fever and chills. Allergic and hypersensitivity reactions can also occur.
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