Every year, thousands of Australians die from diseases caused by smoking. One in two-lifetime smokers will die from their smoking. Smoking damages every organ in the body, and quitting smoking at any age gives benefits straight away and reduces the risk of developing a smoking-related illness.
To quit smoking, all you need is willpower; QUIT.HEALTH is your sidekick, bringing the planning and support to get you through this.
To quit smoking, all you need is willpower; QUIT.HEALTH is your sidekick, bringing the planning and support to get you through this.
About Quit Health
What is Quit Health?
Quit Health is a program to help you quit smoking. We work with prescription medication if suitable or soon we will be able to deliver nicotine replacement therapy, counselling and support to help you Quit. Make the decision to QUIT, bring the will power and we are here to support you to a better life without smoking.
Who is Quit HeALTH For?
Quit Health is for Australians, who are fed up with failed quitting attempts as well as first time quitters. Quit Health is here to help you quit quitting. Quit Smoking, Full Stop.
How DOES it WoRK?
It starts with an online doctor evaluation to collect your medical history. A GP will then make a personalized recommendation based on your history and preferences. Quit Health will either send the prescription for Champix to your local pharmacy where you will purchase and pickup medication or we will ship your treatment right to your door, we have to add shipping to the latter option but the pricing is PBS pricing so shouldn't be different to your local pharmacy. Quit Health has everything you need to be a quitter.
How long is the program?
The Program of Champix is split, 12 and 24 week programs (3 - 6 months)
The first 12 weeks:
The first 12 weeks:
- Reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke by half during the first 4 weeks (weeks 1-4)
- Reduce by half again the number of cigarettes you smoke in the next 4 weeks (weeks 5-8)
- Aim to have stopped smoking on the last day of the 12 week treatment period-this is your quit date
- Continue taking Champix 1 mg tablets for a further 12 weeks.
How Does Champix Work?
Champix contains the active ingredient varenicline and works by blocking the effects of nicotine in your body. There are receptors for nicotine in the brain. When cigarette smoke is inhaled, nicotine attaches to these receptors. This sends a message to a different part of the brain to release a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine gives a feeling of pleasure which only lasts for a short time. The body wants to repeat this feeling reinforcing the need to keep smoking. It is believed that Champix works by activating these receptors and blocking nicotine from attaching to them. Champix does not contain nicotine and it is not addictive.
when you must not take it
Do not take Champix if you have an allergy to:
if you answer honestly and truthfully, Our evaluation will not let you proceed and the Doctor will not prescribe.
If you are prescribed and experience side-affects, please cease to take the medication and contact our team and Doctor. Cease the medication until the issue is addressed.
- any medicine containing varenicline tartrate
- any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
- shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
- rash, itching or hives on the skin.
if you answer honestly and truthfully, Our evaluation will not let you proceed and the Doctor will not prescribe.
If you are prescribed and experience side-affects, please cease to take the medication and contact our team and Doctor. Cease the medication until the issue is addressed.
Before you start to Take Champix (VARENCILINE)
Tell your doctor if have or have had feelings of low mood, anxiety, disturbances in thinking, emotional reactions or behaviour that has interfered or interferes with your everyday life.
For some people, stopping smoking, with or without treatment, has been associated with changes in behaviour, thinking or mood that are not typical for them e.g. developing suicidal thoughts or actions, anxiety, panic, aggression, anger, mania, abnormal sensations, hallucinations, paranoia or confusion.
Some people had these symptoms when they began taking Champix, and others developed them after several weeks of treatment or after stopping Champix.
Your family, friends or carers should be asked to monitor any changes in your behaviour, thinking or mood that are not typical for you e.g. if you develop suicidal thoughts or actions, anxiety, panic, aggression, anger, mania, abnormal sensations, hallucinations, paranoia or confusion.
Discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of taking Champix to decide if it is right for you.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
For some people, stopping smoking, with or without treatment, has been associated with changes in behaviour, thinking or mood that are not typical for them e.g. developing suicidal thoughts or actions, anxiety, panic, aggression, anger, mania, abnormal sensations, hallucinations, paranoia or confusion.
Some people had these symptoms when they began taking Champix, and others developed them after several weeks of treatment or after stopping Champix.
Your family, friends or carers should be asked to monitor any changes in your behaviour, thinking or mood that are not typical for you e.g. if you develop suicidal thoughts or actions, anxiety, panic, aggression, anger, mania, abnormal sensations, hallucinations, paranoia or confusion.
Discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of taking Champix to decide if it is right for you.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
- mental health conditions such as depression, thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- kidney problems
- repeated fits or convulsions (epilepsy)
Some people have reported convulsions or fits while taking Champix (VARENCILINE). - heart and blood vessel problems such as heart attack, chest pain or stroke.
- it is not recommended that you take Champix while you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
- if you plan to become pregnant, your treatment should be timed so that you have completed the course before becoming pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
How to Start
There are 3 ways to quit smoking with Champix:
- Choose a quit date when you will stop smoking.
- Make a note of this date. You can write this date on the carton of the Initiation Pack as a reminder.
- Start taking Champix 1 to 2 weeks (7 to 14 days) before your quit date.
- You can keep smoking during this time.
- Make sure that you try to stop smoking on your quit date. If you slip-up and smoke, try again.
- Start taking Champix.
- Choose a quit date when you will stop smoking between days 8 and 35 of starting Champix.
- Make a note of this date. You can write this date on the carton of the Initiation Pack as a reminder.
- Make sure that you try to stop smoking on your quit date. If you slip-up and smoke, try again.
- Start taking Champix.
- Reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke by half during the first 4 weeks (weeks 1-4)
- Reduce by half again the number of cigarettes you smoke in the next 4 weeks (weeks 5-8)
- Aim to have stopped smoking on the last day of the 12 week treatment period-this is your quit date
- Continue taking Champix 1 mg tablets for a further 12 weeks.
What time of day to take the medication
Take your medicine at about the same time each day. This will have the best effect and help you remember when to take it.It does not matter if you take Champix before or after food.
Some people find it helpful to take Champix with food.
Some people find it helpful to take Champix with food.
The 6 month Program
If options 1 or 2 are the selected way to quit smoking, take Champix for 12 weeks. Your first pack of Champix will cover your first four weeks of treatment.
Visit your doctor before the end of the fourth week that you take Champix for a check-up and for a new prescription. At this appointment, your doctor will check your progress and give you a new prescription for the tablets you need to complete your treatment.
Visit your doctor before the end of the eleventh week for a check-up. Your doctor may advise you to take Champix for an additional 12 weeks. This may increase your chances of stopping smoking in the long term.
If option 3 is the selected way to quit smoking, take Champix for 12 weeks. Your first pack of Champix will cover your first four weeks of treatment.
Visit your doctor before the end of the fourth week that you take Champix for a check-up and for a new prescription. At this appointment, your doctor will check your progress and give you a new prescription for the tablets to continue your treatment.
Visit your doctor before the end of the eleventh week for a check-up and for a new prescription.
You must then take Champix for an additional 12 weeks (24 weeks in total).
If you do not stop smoking during the first 12 weeks of treatment or if you start smoking again after treatment, you can make another attempt to stop smoking. However, before you make another attempt, you should try to understand the reasons why your attempt to stop smoking failed, so that your next attempt has a better chance of success.
Visit your doctor before the end of the fourth week that you take Champix for a check-up and for a new prescription. At this appointment, your doctor will check your progress and give you a new prescription for the tablets you need to complete your treatment.
Visit your doctor before the end of the eleventh week for a check-up. Your doctor may advise you to take Champix for an additional 12 weeks. This may increase your chances of stopping smoking in the long term.
If option 3 is the selected way to quit smoking, take Champix for 12 weeks. Your first pack of Champix will cover your first four weeks of treatment.
Visit your doctor before the end of the fourth week that you take Champix for a check-up and for a new prescription. At this appointment, your doctor will check your progress and give you a new prescription for the tablets to continue your treatment.
Visit your doctor before the end of the eleventh week for a check-up and for a new prescription.
You must then take Champix for an additional 12 weeks (24 weeks in total).
If you do not stop smoking during the first 12 weeks of treatment or if you start smoking again after treatment, you can make another attempt to stop smoking. However, before you make another attempt, you should try to understand the reasons why your attempt to stop smoking failed, so that your next attempt has a better chance of success.
If you forget to take it
If it is less than 6 hours before your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much Champix (VARENCILINE) (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or contact the Poisons Information Centre for advice (telephone 13 11 26), or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Champix. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
Take your tablets with you to hospital.
Take your tablets with you to hospital.
While you are taking champix (Varenciline)
Make sure you try to stop smoking on your quit date.
If you slip up and smoke, try again.
If you slip up and smoke, try again.
Things you must do while taking Champix
Stop taking Champix and tell your doctor immediately if you or your family, friends or carers notice agitation, hostility, depression or changes in behaviour, thinking, or mood that are not typical for you, or you develop suicidal thoughts or actions, anxiety, panic, aggression, anger, mania, abnormal sensations, hallucinations, paranoia or confusion.
All mentions of suicide or violence must be taken seriously. These are very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
It is not known whether these changes are related to Champix as it is known that mood changes can also be due to the effects of stopping smoking.
If you have existing heart or blood vessel problems, tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any changes in symptoms while taking Champix. Your doctor may check your blood pressure and blood glucose levels from time to time to make sure you have not developed any unwanted side effects.
It is important to keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Champix.
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking this medicine. It may affect other medicines used during surgery.
If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
All mentions of suicide or violence must be taken seriously. These are very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
It is not known whether these changes are related to Champix as it is known that mood changes can also be due to the effects of stopping smoking.
If you have existing heart or blood vessel problems, tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any changes in symptoms while taking Champix. Your doctor may check your blood pressure and blood glucose levels from time to time to make sure you have not developed any unwanted side effects.
It is important to keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Champix.
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking this medicine. It may affect other medicines used during surgery.
If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
If you become pregnant
If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
Things you must not do
Do not take Champix to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they are also trying to stop smoking.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they are also trying to stop smoking.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Champix affects you. Champix may cause dizziness, sleepiness, blackouts, seizures or difficulty concentrating in some people. You should not drive, operate complex machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know whether this medicine affects your ability to perform these activities.
Be careful if drinking alcohol while you are taking this medicine. There have been reports of increased feelings of being drunk while taking Champix. Drinking alcohol while taking Champix may also increase your risk of experiencing changes to your behaviour, thinking or mood that are not typical for you e.g. developing suicidal thoughts or actions, anxiety, panic, aggression, anger, mania, abnormal sensations, hallucinations, paranoia or confusion.
Be careful if drinking alcohol while you are taking this medicine. There have been reports of increased feelings of being drunk while taking Champix. Drinking alcohol while taking Champix may also increase your risk of experiencing changes to your behaviour, thinking or mood that are not typical for you e.g. developing suicidal thoughts or actions, anxiety, panic, aggression, anger, mania, abnormal sensations, hallucinations, paranoia or confusion.
Side Effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are you are taking Champix. Please use the contact form
Giving up smoking with or without treatment can cause various symptoms. These could include changes of mood, sleeplessness, difficulty concentrating, decreased heart rate, increased appetite or weight gain. This medicine helps many people give up smoking, but it may have unwanted side effects in some people. All medicines can have side effects. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Giving up smoking with or without treatment can cause various symptoms. These could include changes of mood, sleeplessness, difficulty concentrating, decreased heart rate, increased appetite or weight gain. This medicine helps many people give up smoking, but it may have unwanted side effects in some people. All medicines can have side effects. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Stop Taking Champix (VARENCILINE) if
Stop taking Champix (VARENCILINE) and tell your doctor immediately if you or your family, friends or carers notice agitation, hostility, depression or changes in behaviour, thinking, or mood that are not typical for you, or you develop suicidal thoughts or actions, anxiety, panic, aggression, anger, mania, abnormal sensations, hallucinations, paranoia or confusion.
Some people have had changes in behaviour, thinking or mood that are not typical for them when they start taking Champix. These may include suicidal thoughts or actions, anxiety, panic, aggression, anger, mania, abnormal sensations, hallucinations, paranoia or confusion.
These symptoms have occurred in people with previous mental health problems, as well as those with no previous history.
Some people have had changes in behaviour, thinking or mood that are not typical for them when they start taking Champix. These may include suicidal thoughts or actions, anxiety, panic, aggression, anger, mania, abnormal sensations, hallucinations, paranoia or confusion.
These symptoms have occurred in people with previous mental health problems, as well as those with no previous history.
Tell your doctor if...
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have nausea (feel sick) while taking Champix and it worries you. Around 3 in 10 people experience nausea, usually starting in the first week. Most people who have nausea are able to keep taking the medicine. Some people find it helpful to take Champix with food.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- stomach or bowel problems
- constipation
- diarrhoea
- feeling bloated
- indigestion
- wind
- nausea, vomiting
- stomach discomfort - dry mouth, toothache
- headache
- dizziness
- sleep problems
- difficulty sleeping
- sleepiness
- abnormal dreams
- sleep walking - feeling tired, fatigue
- signs and symptoms of a cold
- change in appetite, weight gain
- changes in taste
- muscle or joint pain.
Please your regular Doctor if
Please report to your Quit Health doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:
- trembling, fits or convulsions
- problems with your vision or pain in your eyes
- red blood in stools
- stomach pain
- excessive thirst, having a dry mouth and skin, passing large amounts of urine.
Please visit the Hospital if
Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital and stop taking Champix if you experience any of the following:
Very serious side effects are rare.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell. Other side effects not listed above may occur in some people. Some of these side effects (for example, changes in blood pressure or blood sugar levels) can only be found when your doctor does tests to check your progress.
- self-harm or thoughts of self-harm
- changes in behaviour, thinking or mood that are not typical for you e.g. if you develop suicidal thoughts or actions, anxiety, panic, aggression, anger, mania, abnormal sensations, hallucinations, paranoia or confusion
- rash or sudden severe itchy swellings on the skin
- severe painful red blisters on the skin with chills, fever, aching muscles and generally feeling unwell
- breathing problems
- wheezing
- difficulty breathing
- shortness of breath - swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, throat, hands or feet
Some people have reported swelling of parts of their face and body after taking Champix. - chest pain, which may spread to the neck and shoulders, numbness or weakness of the arms or legs, headache, dizziness and confusion, visual disturbance, difficulty swallowing, slurred speech or loss of speech, collapse
- abnormal or fast heartbeat
- blood in vomit.
Very serious side effects are rare.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell. Other side effects not listed above may occur in some people. Some of these side effects (for example, changes in blood pressure or blood sugar levels) can only be found when your doctor does tests to check your progress.
Cost and Pricing
The cost of Online doctor Consult
The doctors consult is done via text based evaluation of forms and communications. The fee for this consult is $34.99 AUD.
Cost of Champix (VARENCILINE)
Alot cheaper than smoking! Quit for your wallet.
Champix:
https://www.pbs.gov.au/medicine/item/5469W-9128K-9129L
Champix:
- for CONCESSION HEALTHCARE CARD HOLDERS, the cost is $6.60 per month ($19.80 per prescription).
- for MEDICARE CARD HOLDERS, the cost is $41.30 per month ($123.90 per prescription)
- For people without medicare or concession cards the prescriptions is $100.63 per month.
https://www.pbs.gov.au/medicine/item/5469W-9128K-9129L
Date Published: 08 June 2021
Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the time of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice and should not be exclusively relied on to manage or diagnose a medical condition. Quit Health disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer. This website uses cookies. Read our privacy policy.
Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the time of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice and should not be exclusively relied on to manage or diagnose a medical condition. Quit Health disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer. This website uses cookies. Read our privacy policy.
