• Confidential assessment
  • Reviewed by clinicians
  • Click & Collect or delivery to your door

Product features

  • Significantly increases chance of quitting smoking

  • Does not contain nicotine and blocks its effects

  • Relieves cravings and withdrawal symptoms

Varenicline is a treatment that can help people stop smoking. The pill is safely available in the UK via a prescription.

It works in the same way as Champix to help you quit smoking. Champix was withdrawn because an impurity was found in the medicine. However, the supply of varenicline we’re able to prescribe is safe to use and meets safety standards.

How does varenicline work to quit smoking?

Varenicline does not contain nicotine. It helps you to stop smoking by working on receptors in the brain to stop nicotine binding to them. This reduces the rewarding effects of smoking. It also alleviates withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Helping you to fight the urge to smoke again.

As with all medicines you should consider the pros and cons of taking it:

Pros Cons
Simple to use which may mean you stick with it
 Side effects such as nausea and constipation
Makes smoking less pleasurable
 Need to take it around the same time each day
Helps you to gradually stop smoking
 Requires a prescription
Chances of quitting are higher when taking varenicline
 Recommended course is 12 weeks which may be longer than people expect to stop smoking
May be a good option for those who have tried to quit before with other methods
 May seem expensive but cheaper than continuing to smoke


In studies people who use varenicline to quit smoking had higher rates of success than those using another smoking cessation. 45.5% of participants quit smoking with varenicline compared to 33% using Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).

45.5% percent of people quit smoking with Varenicline

What are the side effects of varenicline?

Like with all medications, there’s a risk of side effects. If you’re struggling with side effects, contact your GP or prescriber.

Common or very common side effects include:

  • Changes in appetite
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhoea
  • Stomach pains
  • Dry mouth
  • Sleep problems
  • Feeling sick and being sick
  • Feeling tired
  • Dizziness
  • Skin reactions
  • Headaches 

Some serious but uncommon side effects include convulsions, thoughts of hurting yourself and symptoms of heart attack. Rare and serious side effects include symptoms of stroke. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you get any of these.

For more information on side effects, see the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s website.

Common side effects may be temporary and although uncomfortable can be a better option than smoking for longer. The benefits of quitting smoking include lowering your risk of cancer, increasing your lung capacity, making breathing easier and improved taste.

“Quitting smoking can improve your health no matter your age. People who stop smoking decrease their risk of getting lung cancer by 30-50% after 10 years compared to people who keep smoking.” - Dr Bhavini Shah

How our stop smoking service works

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Complete our simple, confidential online consultation

5 mins

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One of our clinicians confirms your suitability and notifies you by email

About 30 mins (Mon-Sun 9am-5pm)

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Choose delivery or collection

Next day delivery
Same-day pharmacy collection
Collect in your local ParcelShop

Varenicline FAQs

  • How to take varenicline

    Before starting varenicline, decide on a quit date in your second week of treatment. Then, for a week:

    1. Take one 0.5mg tablet for three days
    2. Take one 0.5mg tablet twice a day for four days

    You will then increase to 1mg twice a day for the rest of your course – made up of either two 0.5mg tablets, or one 1mg tablet.

    You must take the tablets as instructed on the pack. This is because the dose changes after the first three days. Make sure you read your prescription and the details included with your treatment carefully.

    A 12-week course is recommended. Request your starter pack and then we’ll make future packs available to order from your account if we decide it’s clinically suitable.


    Varenicline dosing schedule

  • How long does varenicline take to work?

    You should notice the effects of varenicline after about a week or so of starting treatment. You may find you start craving cigarettes less. Even if you don’t notice any changes in the first few weeks you should keep taking varenicline.

  • Who can take varenicline?

    Varenicline is suitable for smokers over the age of 18 wanting to quit. You should not take varenicline if you are pregnant - it might also pass into your breast milk so it’s best to avoid. If you have a kidney, heart, or mental health condition, of if you have seizures, you will need check with your prescriber before you start treatment.

  • Is varenicline safe?

    Yes, the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) in the UK and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA have approved varenicline as a stop smoking treatment.

    Varenicline works in the same way as Champix. Champix was withdrawn because an impurity was found in the medicine. The supply of varenicline we’re able to prescribe is safe to use and meets safety standards.

  • What happens if you smoke when taking varenicline?

    It’s not dangerous to smoke while you’re taking varenicline during the first 1-2 weeks of treatment (you can continue smoking up until the ‘quit date’ you’ve set). After this time, it’s not advised to carry on smoking. This is not because it is dangerous - it just means you will be less likely to quit completely.

  • Is varenicline addictive?

    Varenicline does not contain nicotine and is not addictive.

  • References

Delivery and collection information

  • Same-day collection (Free)

    • Order before 5pm Monday-Friday to collect the same day in pharmacies nationwide.
    • Subject to the availability of your treatment in your selected pharmacy.

  • Standard delivery (Free)

    • Delivered within 5-7 working days.

  • Next-day delivery (£4.95)

    • Orders approved before 5pm Monday-Friday will arrive within 1-2 working days.
    • Orders approved between 5pm Friday and 12pm Sunday will usually arrive on Monday or Tuesday.

  • Standard ParcelShop collection (Free)

    • Collect from 7000+ convenient ParcelShops in 2-3 working days.

  • Next day ParcelShop collection (£2.95)

    • Collect next day from 7000+ convenient ParcelShop locations, if approved before 5pm Monday-Friday.
    • Saturday and Sunday orders, collect Monday if approved before 12pm Sunday, or Tuesday if ordered after 12pm.