Varenicline (Chantix/Champix®)

Dosing:

• Treatment with varenicline should be initiated while the person is still smoking. Approximately one week triation is required to achieve steady blood levels.
• Dosing should begin at 0.5 mg, taken orally once daily, for the first 3 days.
• Dose is increased to 0.5 mg, twice daily, during days 4 - 7.
• Starting day 8 and continuing to the end of treatment, dosage is 1 mg twice daily.
• If side effects are troubling, the dose may be decreased to .5 mg, twice daily.
• An interval of at least 6 hours between successive doses is advised.
• The quit attempt should occur on or about the eighth day of treatment.
• If lapses occur, continue current dose as well as efforts to quit smoking.