Varenicline Tablets (Champix)
Available in Starter Pack, 0.5mg and 1mg
Varenicline, formerly known as Champix, is a prescription medication designed to help you stop smoking.
- Generic Champix
- Nicotine-free treatment
- Reduces cravings, relieves withdrawal symptoms and makes smoking less rewarding
Pricing
| Pack | Price |
|---|---|
| 2 Week Starter – 11 x 0.5mg & 14 x 1mg tablets | £42.99 |
| 4 Week Starter – 11 x 0.5mg & 42 x 1mg tablets | |
| 2 Week Continuation – 0.5mg – 28 tablets | £39.99 |
| 4 Week Continuation– 0.5mg – 56 tablets | £77.99 |
| 2 Week Continuation – 1mg – 28 tablets | £39.99 |
| 4 Week Continuation – 1mg – 56 tablets | £77.99 |
| 8 Week Continuation – 1mg – 112 tablets | £149.99 |
| 12 Week Complete Course | £244.99 |
NOTE: Brands and packaging may differ from picture.
When starting the consultation you will be redirected to the treatments page where you can start the short questionnaire.
Same day dispatch if ordered before 2pm
Discreet and plain packaging
Free expert support & advice
GPhC Registered
Free Delivery (Orders Over £20)
Confidential & Discreet
Buy Cytisine
How to order Cytisine online:
- Complete a short online assessment to see if you’re eligible for treatment
- Reviewed by one of our clinicians
- If approved, we’ll send your treatment by tracked delivery in discreet packaging
What are varenicline tablets (Champix)?
Varenicline is a prescription-only medicine that helps you stop smoking. It reduces nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier to give up smoking. A typical course of treatment runs for 12 weeks, although it may sometimes be extended to 24 weeks if longer support is needed.
Varenicline is the active ingredient in Champix, which was the original branded version and is no longer available in the UK. Generic varenicline is now prescribed instead. It contains the same active ingredient and is available in the same strengths, but without the Champix brand name.
Unlike nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), which supplies nicotine while you reduce or stop smoking, varenicline is nicotine-free and works on nicotine receptors in the brain to reduce cravings and make smoking less rewarding.
How does varenicline work?
Nicotine reaches your brain and binds to receptors, triggering the pleasurable effects that can reinforce smoking. When you stop smoking, those receptors are no longer activated in the same way, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, restlessness, low mood and disturbed sleep.
Varenicline attaches to the same receptors and works in two ways. It partially activates them, which helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without supplying nicotine. It also blocks nicotine from binding as strongly, so smoking may feel less rewarding if you do smoke during treatment. Together, these effects can make it easier to stop smoking.
How effective is varenicline?
Two pivotal trials followed smokers through 12 weeks of treatment and a year of follow-up. By the end of treatment, 44% of people taking varenicline had stopped smoking, compared with around 30% taking bupropion and 18% taking placebo. After one year, 23% of the varenicline group were still smoke-free, compared with 16% on bupropion and 10% on placebo.
A separate follow-up trial found that people who had successfully quit by week 12 and continued taking varenicline for a further 12 weeks were more likely to remain smoke-free at 24 weeks than those who switched to placebo (44% compared with 37%).
How do I take varenicline?
Start taking varenicline 1 to 2 weeks before your target quit date.| Days of treatment | Dose |
|---|---|
| Days 1 to 3 | 0.5mg once a day |
| Days 4 to 7 | 0.5mg twice a day |
| Day 8 onwards | 1mg twice a day |
How long does a course of varenicline last?
The standard course of varenicline treatment is 12 weeks. In some cases, treatment may be extended for a further 12 weeks, depending on how well you have responded and whether additional support is needed.
If you stop smoking successfully, your prescriber may recommend continuing treatment for longer to help reduce the risk of relapse.
If you start smoking again after treatment, another course may still be considered. This should be discussed with a prescriber, who can review whether varenicline is suitable to restart and when.
Who shouldn’t take varenicline?
Don’t take varenicline if you:
- Are under 18
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are allergic to varenicline or any of its ingredients
- Have epilepsy, seizures, or a condition that makes seizures more likely
Some conditions need extra consideration rather than ruling varenicline out altogether. If you have severe kidney disease, you may need a lower dose and closer monitoring. If you have cardiovascular disease, varenicline may still be suitable, but seek urgent medical help if you develop chest pain or symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.
Does varenicline interact with other medicines?
Varenicline has no known clinically meaningful interactions with most medicines, but there are a few important points to be aware of.
- Stopping smoking can change how your body processes certain medicines, including theophylline, warfarin and insulin. Let your clinician know if you take any of these, as your treatment or monitoring may need to be adjusted.
- Using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), such as patches or gum, alongside varenicline may increase side effects such as nausea, headache, dizziness and fatigue. Only combine them if advised by a healthcare professional.
- There have been reports of increased effects of alcohol while taking varenicline. Be cautious with alcohol until you know how varenicline affects you.
What are the side effects of varenicline?
Most people tolerate varenicline well. The most commonly reported side effects include nausea, a blocked or runny nose, disturbed sleep and headaches.
Rare but serious side effects can include changes in mood, depression or suicidal thoughts. If you experience these symptoms, stop taking varenicline and seek medical advice straight away.
For the full list of side effects, read the patient information leaflet. You can also report suspected side effects through the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme.
Alternative stop-smoking treatments
If varenicline isn’t right for you, other options are available:
- Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT): patches, gum, lozenges, sprays and inhalers. Using a patch alongside a faster-acting form of NRT, such as gum or lozenges, can be more effective than using one form alone.
- Cytisine: a 25-day, prescription-only treatment that works in a similar way to varenicline.
- Zyban: a prescription medicine containing bupropion, which is licensed to help people stop smoking.
Patient Information Leaflet
FAQs
References
- Stop smoking treatments, NHS [accessed 25th September 2026]
- Varenicline Film-coated Tablets: Summary of Product Characteristics, Electronic Medicines Compendium (emc) [accessed 25th September 2026]
- Smoking cessation, NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries [accessed 25th September 2026]
- Varenicline, British National Formulary (BNF), NICE [accessed 25th September 2026]
- Yellow Card Scheme, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) [accessed 25th September 2026]
- Jorenby DE, et al. Efficacy of varenicline, an α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, vs placebo or sustained-release bupropion for smoking cessation (2006) JAMA [accessed 25th September 2026]
- Tonstad S, et al. Effect of maintenance therapy with varenicline on smoking cessation (2006) JAMA [accessed 25th September 2026]
- Anthenelli RM, et al. Neuropsychiatric safety and efficacy of varenicline, bupropion, and nicotine patch in smokers with and without psychiatric disorders (EAGLES) (2016) The Lancet [accessed 25th September 2026]
You may also like...
Regulated care you can trust
MHRA-approved and GPhC regulated; we strive to provide the highest standards of care.
General Pharmaceutical Council
General Pharmaceutical Council
The GPhC is the regulator that inspects pharmacies to make sure they meet the highest standards, keeping your safety their top priority.
National Pharmacy Association
The NPA represents independent pharmacies across the UK, offering advice, support, and providing our professional indemnity cover.
Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
The MHRA makes sure medicines and medical devices are safe and effective. They approve licenses and monitor safety through the Yellow Card scheme. All our products are MHRA approved.
Digital Clinical Excellence
DiCE is a UK network that works to improve safety and quality in digital healthcare.
How it
works?
1. Consultation
Fill out a quick, free online questionnaire for the condition you may have.
2. Treatment
Choose your preferred treatment and proceed to checkout.
3. Assessment
Our clinicians review your information and may follow up if needed.
4. Delivery
Your medication is approved and delivered quickly in discreet packaging.
Meet our medical professionals
Our clinicians are experts in medicines, nutrition, patient care, and governance.
Aaliyah Nelson
Nutritionist