Hi Zana, I'm copying a post that I saved from another forum that I belong to regarding the length of time one should stay on Chantix. This is not cut and dry for everybody however, and since you've been on Chantix before, you should use your best judgement for yourself. Also, everybody's body is different and they handle Chantix differently and can't stay on it for the length of time suggested, or some simply can't afford to stay on it for that long. Also, the research that is mentioned in this post, was not done by Pfizer, it was done by other sources not related to Pfizer that had no financial interest in Pfizer. I personally was on Chantix for 3 months, weening myself off the last month I was on. I would have stayed on longer if I could afford it, but I have been doing pretty good without it. Some craves, but not too bad. But I have emphysema, so that is my motivation to stay quit. I can't breathe without smoking, if I were to go back to smoking, it would be a virtual nightmare for me. Hope this information helps you.
Barb
d125
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You DO Need to Stay On Chantix
From gardener2007 on 12/5/2007 1:14:41 PM
Chantix does not work like aspirin or Tylenol – quick, immediate relief. It works in a very different way. It needs to build up in your system slowly and gradually. Once Chantix builds up, it stays in your system for 5-7 days, and this is why so many think if they miss a dose and they feel good, then they must not need it any more. A few days more without Chantix and they tend to start having trouble. It is recommended that if you are able to quit using Chantix during the first 3 months (you are supposed to keep trying even if you slip), then you should stay on Chantix for 6 months.
The reason behind this is your brain has undergone years and years of chemical and biological change from smoking. Your brain has not produced adequate amounts of dopamine without the rush of a nicotine trigger for how many years? You do know dopamine, right? That is the brain chemical that makes you feel good. No dopamine and it is hard to feel good about anything. So we take Chantix to activate the sensors in our brains to release a small, steady stream of dopamine and block the nicotine from reacting with our brain. We feel pretty good even though we've gone CT off tobacco.
If you stop the Chantix before your brain figures out how to produce dopamine on its own, you'll feel like you have crashed. It will take your brain about 6 months (hey, that why Pfizer says take it for 6 months!) before it produces dopamine in adequate amounts. This is why people feel just fine after stopping Chantix, because they have allowed their brain chemistry the time it needed to heal from all those years of smoking. It is a good idea to wean off of Chantix to give your brain time to adjust to a new level of dopamine.
Too many people think there is some sort of virtue in getting off Chantix early. As if using a prescription drug were more dangerous for a few months than years and years of smoking. Personally, I believe there's virtue in protecting your precious quit at all costs. From the research on Chantix, those who used Chantix for 3 months had a 39% chance of being quit after a year. For those who used Chantix for 6 months, they had a 53% chance of being quit after a year. The research is firm that your best chances are by staying on Chantix for 6 months.
Laurie
