Chantix and Nausea: What Users Say

• DJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "I was hospitalized the day after Christmas 2019 for other issues than smoking, stomach issues, internal bleeding, and alcoholism. I have COPD. I’ve smoked ever since I was sixteen. I am 63 years old. Up to 3 packs a day. I was a mess. Due to being hospitalized, I could not smoke or drink. After a 5-day stay, I was released on New Year's Eve. I was sent home dry. I tried nicotine patches for about a week and a half. Alcohol was the LAST thing on my mind. I was so sick! Finally, my primary doctor talked me into trying Chantix again. It’s been 4 weeks, no smoking at all or alcohol. I still crave a cigarette, but it’s manageable. Moment by moment, this too shall pass. Side effects: nausea and vomiting if not taken with food, I want to sleep a lot! Slight depression? Occasional headaches. A feeling of “loss”. The pros outweigh the cons at least for me. I truly believe I was going to die after being hospitalized. By the grace of God, it was a wide awakening."

• JAY...
• January 26, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "First off, this pill works for what it is intended for. 10 days after starting, I stopped smoking and had no desire to have a cigarette. I continued using for 3 more weeks, stopped and still am not smoking. As for side effects, I did have nausea, but if I took it with food, it helped a lot. I did have very vivid enhanced dreams, but nothing scary or nothing that bothered me. I do want to add, though, if you are on any psychiatric medications, I'd use caution and talk to your doctor. I have been on medication for bipolar for over 20 years and haven't had any kind of relapse for over 10 years. However, while on this drug, I did have a setback with some depression and mood swings, where I had to take a 3-week leave of absence from work. Now, this could be just a coincidence, but maybe not. I am better now, stable on my meds, and smoke-free. I would still recommend this drug, as it was very easy and effective to quit smoking, I'd just use caution."

• Suz...
• September 21, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "Smoked 2 packs daily for 35 years. After the 3rd day on Chantix, smoked less than 10 cigs a day. On the 5th day, smoked 4 cigarettes. On the 6th day, I threw away my cigarettes. I have just started my 31st day on Chantix. Honestly, I don't think I will need the entire second month's dosage. I feel so much better; I don't want to ruin this by picking up another cigarette. There are side effects that you have to plan for and deal with, such as nausea after each dose. Be sure to eat a meal before each pill and drink PLENTY of water. I have had an occasional headache and vivid dreams. None of the side effects have been deal breakers. The 'magic' that makes Chantix work is directly proportional to your level of commitment to quit smoking. If you are at that point, I would highly recommend Chantix - nothing else worked for me and this has been the charm."

• Bet...
• July 19, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I'm on my 10th day of Chantix. I have not smoked for two days. The first few days, I was smoking more than normal, then around the 5th day, I cut my 20-a-day habit down to 3. It felt easier than I imagined it would, then 1, now none. Chantix is a strong drug. I suffer from depression anyway, so I have been very cautious about the dosage. I only take one pill a day. I have felt depressed at times, but I have had worse days. I keep a close eye on my mood and make sure I keep telling myself it's my mind and I will control it. I felt queasy at times, but never got that sick feeling after smoking. I still crave a cigarette, but I feel Chantix makes it more bearable to get through the craving. It's still early days, but I've never managed to go this long without smoking in 22 years. Fingers crossed to a better me."

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "After reading reviews, I was terrified to take this medicine, but I really wanted to quit, so I gave it a try. I took it for 35 days and quit due to side effects. I smoked for the first two weeks and haven’t smoked another one in 3 weeks. I did experience nausea, some vivid dreams, but nothing terrifying. I did get severely depressed and literally just got out of bed to go to work, so I decided to quit taking it. I think this drug is effective in helping you quit if you really desire to quit. It was a great start for me, and I’m hoping I don’t start back after quitting the medicine early. Cigarettes taste disgusting while using this, and you don’t get that satisfaction after smoking like you normally would, so I think that’s what helps."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "I love Chantix! It's amazing. The only side effects I had were a little nausea and some gas, but only if I didn't eat something or drink water with it. Very mild tiredness, nothing that a coffee or coke couldn't resolve quickly. Also, I experienced very vivid and wild dreams, almost realistic, but to be honest, I really enjoyed them. I have no desire to smoke whatsoever. It's the strangest and coolest thing in the world."

• pfa...
• May 13, 2009

For Smoking Cessation "I have smoked for 38 years. I liked smoking. I never let my cigarettes run out. They were a friend. I could not imagine life without cigarettes. Chantix changed that. Chantix made cigarettes less important to me. I dwindled down to one cigarette a day over 6 weeks, and when the pack ran out, I didn't buy another one. I had the crazy dreams, brief nausea, and I also became terse, impatient, and snappy. When I started the 8th week, I decided to cut down to one pill a day to wean myself off the drug. I am still smoke-free. My mood has improved. I feel more like myself only I don't want to smoke. If I can Quit, You can Quit. Try it. LIVE BETTER WITHOUT CIGARETTES. GOOD LUCK!"

• Wan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "I will be starting my 3rd month of Chantix in a few days. I’ve smoked a pack a day for 35 years. I’ve been diagnosed with stage 2 COPD. I’m down now to 5-6 cigarettes a day. I will smoke my very last cigarette tonight. However, the side effects as far as nausea have been very hard to tolerate. But I’ve learned from my doctor that I can take Zantac, and it works really well with the stomach upset. My dreams can be really vivid. I have some depression. I do find myself more tired and irritable, eating more and experiencing weight gain. The medication works, but you have to let it do its job, and you have to work with it. I’m stubborn, and I like smoking. I decided to try Chantix because I first read the reviews in here, and you all were my inspiration. I thank you for that, and I hope my quit date tomorrow, 12/20, is successful so that on Christmas, I may have the first few days of the rest of my life smoke-free to report to my kids. Thanks for listening, and thanks for your help."

• tra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "I started taking Chantix in August after filling the prescription in late June. I had read so many reviews on mood, behavior, and emotional changes, I was so afraid to take it. I had to make a decision and finally started the first week of August. The first 2 days I had severe nausea and confusion. I called my doctor, they advised to take it right after a meal. I did that the next day and had no nausea or confusion. I'm so glad I did not give up on this medicine. To be honest, I have had a few cigarettes here and there. I guess after smoking since I was 16 (now 42), it's a hard habit to break. I don't even enjoy smoking at all. I take a couple of puffs, and the taste is so disgusting in my mouth that I put the cigarette out. I'm done smoking. Go for it."

• Cl0...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "Today is day 7 of using Chantix. I'm a 33-year-old disabled Army vet. I have bipolar, depression, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, and I have been smoking for 20 years. I have tried everything to quit smoking, patches made me want to smoke more, the gum made my stomach feel like it was on fire, and cold turkey made me homicidal. On day one, I was smoking a pack a day. By day 4, I was smoking 1/2 a pack, now I smoke about 3 cigarettes a day, but only 1/2 a cigarette at a time. I have no nausea, no sleep issues, and no other side effects that I have noticed. I just seem to be craving cigarettes less and less. I'm really hoping that within a few more days I won't smoke at all."

• Ham...
• January 27, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "I have only been on Chantix for about 5 weeks. I stopped smoking 5 days ago. Cravings are minimal and go away after about 10 minutes. If you have tried everything and are desperate to stop smoking, it does work. The side effects can vary: headaches, nausea, bloating, constipation, but it is the only thing that just stopped me after 37 years of smoking. If you have any past mental health issues, talk to your doctor. If you are using alcohol while taking Chantix, even in small amounts... DON'T! It does work, but you have to be ready to stop smoking."

• Sus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "Chantix worked fantastically. I smoked for 30 years and was up to 4 packs a day. I was having to use my inhaler so much, I just knew I had to quit. So, once I started the drug, I just kept smoking till I couldn't anymore. (about 3 months in decreasing amounts) Now I've been done smoking almost 2 years and have zero desire to smoke. Chantix, after about a month, made me really sick to my stomach. My doctor said I need to quit taking it. I said no way, it's working. So I did suffer for a bit with that, but like I said, I no longer smoke. I'm extremely happy with how it all worked out for me and wish anyone else who is quitting the best of luck. PS: So thankful my insurance covered the cost. That was fabulous."

• TRA...
• May 1, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "I started Chantix on 4-17-2014, and since 4-27-14, I have not smoked a cigarette in 5 whole days! Not even a drag. I feel like I have no desire to smoke, but there are times when I do crave one and think to myself, I went this long without one or a drag, so why ruin it? Then I forget about it. I do miss smoking, but it's better for the long run. I am about to turn 27 and have been smoking for 15 years. I did experience some constipation and a few times felt nauseous, but as long as you eat before and definitely drink as much water as you can. I was hesitant about taking this medication because of the side effects, especially the dreams. I have not had any terrible dreams, I have been dreaming more, but I enjoy them, they are very vivid. I recommend Chantix."

• Cur...
• December 23, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "Day one: it made smoking feel like inhaling hot air. Nothing more. No rush. No nothing. Perfect. I felt a little nauseated with the medication. If I got a craving for nicotine (rather rare), I would chew a piece of nicotine gum. This medication was very effective for me."

• Lew...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2017

For Smoking Cessation "I was a pretty heavy smoker-about a pack a day (even on days I can't smoke at work, which just meant I'd chain smoke when I left to catch up!) and I always made excuses to go have a smoke. I also made many excuses not to quit. I finally decided that I wanted to stop, and I couldn't believe how well the Chantix worked for me. I had tried the nicotine patch, Wellbutrin, cold turkey... Chantix was kind of my last resort. The only side effect I noticed was a couple of minutes of nausea right after I took the pill, but it wasn't enough to make me stop. I quit smoking on day 5. I quit before my quit date. I'm planning to take the full 6 months, but I'm on week 6 and feel fantastic! I highly recommend Chantix to anyone who has struggled to quit!"

• 1TD...
• May 24, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "First off, everybody will not experience the same side effects from using Chantix. As for me, I'm glad I decided to take it. I noticed the medication started working about day 8. Cigarettes made me slightly nauseated. They slowly became less satisfying and desirable. The urges by then to smoke were minimal, and withdrawals were none from the start. I did have some nausea in the beginning after taking the pill that went away after a few minutes. Other than that, no noticeable side effects. I'm just now starting week 4. The urge to smoke now is completely gone. I don't feel like I ever want to smoke again."

• Adu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "I started Chantix a couple of weeks ago. I am an odd case as I had not smoked my entire adult life until about 3 years ago. What started as a light habit turned into 1+ packs a day. I tried to quit using books, cessation programs, patches/lozenges/gum, even vaping, and no bueno. If anything, it got worse. I have surgery in Feb and have to be nicotine-free, so I decided to start Chantix. I will be honest--I don't think some people know that this can take some people weeks to work. You can still smoke just as much even after starting. I'm now in my 3rd week and only now have cigarettes started to taste repulsive at times. I light one out of habit and gotta come back to it later. I finally feel like it's working. I have no major side effects, but I do get a little nausea at my night dose for about 10-20 mins, and I dream every time I dream - super vivid and insanely weird. I'm only giving it a 9 because I have not officially quit yet, so I don't have a 100% 10 rating right now."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2017

For Smoking Cessation "Thank you so much for Chantix! I have bullous emphysema. My doctor suggested Chantix, so I figured I would give it a try. It took a couple of tries before I finally was able to quit. The fact that you continue to smoke for the first week of taking the medication makes it easier. The Chantix is building up in your system while you are starting to notice the cigarettes that you are really not craving but smoking more out of habit. It made me nauseous, but not enough to stop taking it. February 10 of this year (2017) was 3 years since I quit smoking! One warning: DO NOT STOP TAKING IT SUDDENLY. It caused MAJOR depression. You have to come off of it gradually. Would I do it again, though? You bet your butt, I would."

• ano...
• August 31, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "UPDATE: Today marks 90 days I've been smoke-free!!! And around a month now I've been off Chantix completely. No desire to smoke. Food tastes amazing! I can BREATHE. I haven't gained any weight, but I've joined the gym and started lifting. I feel GREAT. Wouldn't have been possible without Chantix. I weaned myself off of Chantix the last few weeks... made me apprehensive just stopping it cold turkey. Chantix gave me some weird dreams, nausea... nothing too serious. Much better than COPD, emphysema, lung cancer, DEATH from continuing to smoke. If I can quit, YOU can quit. Chantix saved my life. (31 y/o... been a smoker since age 13! Pack and a half a day when I decided to quit.)"

• Kjh...
• November 17, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I am currently on Cymbalta and was told it would not affect Champix. Day 1-3, I was very nauseous with a headache. Day 4, I was angry. Day 5 and 6, I was 'lost,' tired, and emotionally absent. Day 7 to 12, I went from emotionally absent to holding back tears daily. SEVERE sadness. Day 14, I was trying to fall asleep and heard someone say, 'Jesus. She is asleep. ZAP!' I live alone. Later that night, I had a complete mental breakdown. What I needed to do with my animals and if I should pack everything so no one would have to, all while crying hysterically. I was told by numerous people that I do not need to take this medication due to prior mental health issues. I told them, 'A few weeks of crazy is worth me not smoking.' After all, I have had issues for the past 30 years. I just KNEW I had been through and felt it all. I was wrong! If you have prior mental health issues, DO NOT TAKE IT!!!!! It elevates every issue by 100%."

• Tin...
• December 19, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I am on day 10 of taking Chantix. It has slowly made cigarettes taste awful. I feel like my mouth tastes like an ashtray. Tomorrow is my quit day, and I feel like I will do just fine as long as I keep taking the Chantix. The side effects so far have included: 1. Weird dreams the first week or so. (Some examples: I stabbed someone, and then the mafia chased me; I made out with a coworker; and I shot a man who was raping my friend.) 2. Slight nausea (Note: I can't eat much in the morning; after eating more later, I tend to feel better.) 3. Everything seems to smell like B.O."

• Mar...
• July 1, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "I started Chantix on June 1 with a June 30 quit date. On the 15th, I ran out of cigarettes and decided I'd try to wake up without them and feel it out. It is June 30 today, and I haven't had a cigarette since. I have urges but try to push them aside. Chantix made me strong enough to not need them without even knowing it. I've smoked for 15 years and haven't quit this long on anything, including the patch. I recommend it for sure. You do get nauseous, but take the pill with food, and it passes after about ten minutes. Just fight it off. Dreams were cool, but I did have trouble falling asleep at times. It's definitely all worth the reward. My insurance covered the entire Rx, I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Good luck to you too!"

• stl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "I am a 61-year-old female who smoked since I was 18 (about a pack a day). Over the years, I had tried to quit with everything and anything available. On Sep 14, I used Chantix to successfully quit, and I was successful for 9 months. In Jun 15, my husband had a heart attack, and I used it as an excuse to start smoking again. Chantix worked wonders the first time, so I am trying again. One week without a cigarette, and I'm feeling great. Only side effects are a little nausea if I don't eat and some vivid (not scary) dreams. I know I'm going to beat this addiction once and for all this time thanks to Chantix!!!!"

• Kar...
• February 25, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I smoked for thirty years. I took Chantix, and by the third week, I no longer had the urge to smoke. I had a little nausea for a few days, but it wasn't bad. I did have some crazy sex dreams. I am 65 and have been quit for 7 years. Best thing I ever did when I took Chantix. It works!"

• New...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "I have been on Chantix for 5 weeks now and smoke-free for 4 of the 5 weeks. I was skeptical about the side effects but was more scared about what it would be like as a non-smoking adult. What would I do with the extra time? How would I handle stressful situations? Well... I handle life just fine, if not better, as a non-smoker! I had a few slight side effects such as a bit of nausea and a mild headache the first couple of days, but otherwise, I am extremely happy with the results. I continued smoking as normal for the first week. However, as the week continued, I noticed that each cigarette I had started tasting worse and worse. By the sixth day, they were actually making me nauseous. I quit on the seventh day. The only time I have any urges is when I have a few (or more...) alcoholic drinks, but have managed to work through them without lighting up. It's been so awesome being able to breathe easier, smell better, sleep more soundly, less snoring (according to my wife), no more constant coughing, and overall, more energy. I now love being a non-smoker!"