Chantix: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly

So you are ready to quit smoking. With so many options on the market, it is overwhelming to find the product that best suits you. As a smoker myself, I have tried several of the methods currently available - ranging from cold turkey, nicotine gum, and the newest drug called Chantix.

While Chantix is expensive and generally not covered by insurance, the quitting rates surpass other current methods. A one month prescription can range from $100 - $130, depending on where you get the prescription filled. Your jaw may drop at the cost, but let's look at the break down. If you smoke one pack of cigarettes a day at $3.50 a pack, that is approximately $105 a month.

You start off by taking Chantix in small doses at first, to help soften the side effects. Some of the side effects that I experiences include, very wild, vivid dreams and nasuea. Most people I have talked to also complained of these same side effects.

When I first started taking Chantix, I wasnt really gung ho about quitting. I agreed to take it at the request of my husband. In less than one week, I had no desire to smoke. At first I noticed that the cigarettes did not taste the same, and I wasnt even smoking a full cigarette anymore. Around the fifth day, I couldn't stand the smell anymore and I had to take a shower to get the smell off of me soon as I got home. I would say that is pretty effective, considering I personally had no desire to quit.

I continued to take the medicine for another couple of weeks. I figured I had reached the point of quitting for good.

I would recommend taking this medicine for at least one month. It is extremely easy to start smoking again if you are surrounded by others who smoke. Take it from someone who has been there, done that!

Yes, I started smoking again. So I was off to get a refill of Chantix. I started taking it again, same side effects. I still had the same results as the first time I had taken the medicine.

Although you may have put the pack of cigarettes down, continue to take the Chantix for best results. This will help to ensure that you stay on that path.

In my opinion, the cost of the prescription and the side effects are well worth the outcome when you consider how taxing smoking is on your health.
Ask you doctor to see if Chantix is right for you, and you will be taking that first step to being smoke free!

Good luck!