If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on
this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional
for more information.​​

Varenicline is used as an aid for smoking cessation in conjunction with education and counselling.

Check with your healthcare professional if you are unsure why you are given this medication.

Follow the directions on your medication label and take the medication as prescribed by your doctor. Varenicline may be taken with or without food.

Varenicline needs to be taken regularly for a few weeks before you feel its full benefits. You should not stop taking this medicine even if you do not feel better at the beginning. Continue to take this medicine even after you feel better.

Do check with your doctor on the appropriate length of treatment that you need.

To use the medicine to quit smoking, you can either:
  • Set a date to stop smoking and start varenicline one week before the date.
  • Start varenicline and quit smoking between days 8 to 35 of treatment
Talk to your doctor about the most suitable way to use the medicine.

Do not stop taking it without talking to your doctor. Stopping varenicline abruptly may lead to mild discontinuation symptoms such as irritability and insomnia.

You should not be using varenicline while you are using other medications to quit smoking. Tell your doctor if you are using other treatments to quit smoking.

​If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is more than half of the time to the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at your usual timing. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.


Inform your healthcare professional if:
  • You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
  • You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant and/or breastfeeding, your doctor would have discussed the potential benefits and side-effects with you and should you have further questions or concerns, do consult your doctor.
  • You are taking any other medications including over the counter medications, supplements, traditional Chinese medicine and herbal remedies. Some of them may affect how this medication works or cause serious drug interactions.
  • You have or have ever had:
    - Drug allergies
    - Kidney, heart or blood vessels problems
    - Medical conditions such as seizures (fits), depression or other mental health problems

    Be sure that your family or caregiver are also aware of the above symptoms so they can call your doctor if you are unable to seek treatment on your own.​

  • ​Difficulty sleeping
    - Avoid daytime naps
    - Listen to relaxing music at bedtime
  • Nausea or vomiting
    - Take the medication with or after food
    - Take small but frequent meals and avoid fatty or spicy food
  • Drowsiness, dizziness, difficulty concentrating or loss of consciousness - avoid driving, or engaging in activities requiring concentration
  • Constipation
    - Drink more water, eat more high-fiber foods, and exercise regularly
    - Consult a doctor or pharmacist if you need a laxative
  • Increase in appetite; weight gain - exercise regularly and eat a healthy, balanced diet
  • Headache; swelling of the nose or throat; vivid and/or unusual dreams - speak with the doctor if any of these become bothersome

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
  • Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
Very rarely (affect less than 1% of patients) this medication may cause:
  • Swelling of the extremities, neck
  • Blistering of the mucosal (lips, nose)
  • Chest discomfort, or pain that radiates in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
  • Shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting, or lightheaded with chest discomfort
  • Fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat
  • Seizures (fits)
  • Changes in mood such as feeling depressed or talking, feeling and acting with excitement that you cannot control
  • Harmful behavior to self or others
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

​Avoid drinking alcohol while taking varenicline as it can increase the effects of alcohol and cause excessive drowsiness.


​Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children. Throw away any medicine that has expired or is no longer needed.


​Pack this medication into a trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.​