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444932 tn?1273980797

Chantix Headache

I am on day #5 on Chantix. For the past two days, I have gotten headaches within an hour of taking it in the a.m. Has anyone else experienced this? Does this side effect eventually go away?
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Avatar universal
I did have side effects with my vision at first on 0.5mgs one eye felt larger than the other or irritated some how. Had other side effects too ad anxiety. I adjusted by day 4 or 5 but I cut the 1mgs in half cuz I think they'd be way too strong. Also 115ishlbs. On thr 0.5 now I don't have any side effects at all but I can feel it kick in
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I did have side effects with my vision at first on 0.5mgs one eye felt larger than the other or irritated some how. Had other side effects too ad anxiety. I adjusted by day 4 or 5 but I cut the 1mgs in half cuz I think they'd be way too strong. Also 115ishlbs. On thr 0.5 now I don't have any side effects at all but I can feel it kick in
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am on day 3 my head felt weird the first two days along with my eyes anyone else have the eye thing? Day three my head is killing me & upset stomach. I am thinking maybe it is too strong for me I weigh 115lbs not sure going to try to break it in half tomorrow & take 1/2 in the am & pm instead of 2 pills along with an alive... Wish me luck
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
stay with it Amanda N84
Avatar universal
I have been taking Chantx for 2 weeks and have had a headache every day, but to me quitting smoking is more important than the headaches because it is working have already stopped smoking.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Me too...going to try keeping ahead of the head ache by taking IBs before. I'm afraid to take my migraine med with it, might blow my brain up.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I too have migraines and have not had a problem until I started taking the Chantix to quit smoking.  I am at the point that I will try other methods before I will continue to take the Chantix. Because I cannot function with my head pounding like this.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been on it for for 3 days and the headaches just started getting bad. My doc started me on 1/2 tab in am for 3 days and then 1/2 tab twice daily for a wk, and then 1 in am and 1 in pm. Here's hoping they go away soon. I really wanna keep on it for myself and to quit this nasty habit.
Helpful - 0
326505 tn?1304169225
Please keep us posted as to how it's going. I blamed everything on the withdrawals and not the pill so maybe I had more side effects other then the upset stomach? I'm just glad that I have finished and am 1 day away from 6 months.
I hope it works for you too, good luck.
Kathy Jo
Helpful - 0
326505 tn?1304169225
Sorry to hear that you had to quit the chantix. I guess I was one of the lucky ones! There are no quick fixes and even though chantix made it easier, there were still withdrawals and cravings. If you have had success using the patch then you really should try that again, read whyquit.com and post to the board when you are feeling vulnerable. Good luck!
Kathy Jo
Helpful - 0
444932 tn?1273980797
Thanks for the note. Unfortunately, I had to stop the Chantix on day 10. I think I was allergic to it - intense itching like I've never had before. The doc said that it was possible that I could have an allergic reaction after 10 days on it b/c it slowly builds up in your system. Its half-life is 24 hours so that it maintains a steady supply of whatever the active ingredient is that makes you not want to smoke. Even on day 10, my cravings/desire to smoke had not diminished and I had not completely quit smoking. I had cut down some and just started noticing the day I had to quit that cigs tasted bad.

I wish you luck. I really wish I could have stayed on it and stuck it out. I was really hopeful it would be the miracle cure for quitting with a little less pain than cold turkey.

I had luck with the Nicotine Patch a couple years ago and quit for 8 months. Of course, I started again - DUMB!!!!  Thinking of trying the patch again in a couple weeks.  Good luck. Be careful with the headaches.
Helpful - 0
472661 tn?1207522960
I'm on day 4, and having the same trouble. I've managed the nauseau by taking the morning pill with oatmeal but today I start the pm pill also, and am very wary due to headaches. No the pfizer folks dont list it as a side effect, but my pharmacy did, in fact the boxes were labeled warning may cause head ache. I'm already a long term migraine sufferer (atypical-post traumatic/injury) so I am hoping the headaches go away from the chantix. If they dont after one week I may have to stop the program. any one else?
Helpful - 0
326505 tn?1304169225
There is no mention of headaches as a side effect on the Chantix site but it may be that it is a lesser reported one. I never had any problems other then a little gas/queasiness but that wasn't until my second month. Maybe you should try a few more days and if it persists, call the Chantix hotline.
Good luck and try to hang in there!
Kathy Jo
Helpful - 0
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