Stop smoking
Advice and treatment to help stop smoking permanently with our online prescription service and pharmacy.
Read medical information and answer medical questions to buy treatment online.
Medical information
Quit rate doubled with Champix
Champix, taken for twelve weeks, is more effective than nicotine replacement or the alternative prescription medication, bupropion to help stop smoking permanently.
Studies show taking Champix more than doubles the rate of success in stopping smoking compared with dummy (placebo) tablets. About 21 in 100 people who took Champix stopped smoking permanently compared to about 8 in 100 who took the dummy (placebo) tablets.
How Champix works
Champix mimics the action of nicotine in the body and blocks its effects. This means whilst a person takes Champix there is less craving for cigarettes and smoking is less pleasurable.
Champix dose
Champix tablets are taken twice-daily usually for 12 or 24 weeks.
Start with a Champix Starter Pack to build the dose up slowly over the first 2 weeks.
Start 1 to 2 weeks before target stop smoking date, initially one 0.5mg once daily for 3 days, increased to one 0.5mg tab twice daily for 4 days, then one 1mg tab twice daily for 11 weeks (reduce to one 0.5mg twice daily if not tolerated). 12 week course, can be repeated for a further 12 weeks.
Side effects of Champix
Not everyone experiences side effects. The most common side effects are gastro-intestinal disturbances, appetite changes, dry mouth, taste disturbance, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, sleep disorders, abnormal dreams. Some people experience depression and even suicidal thoughts whilst taking Champix, in which case treatment should be stopped and a doctor consulted. For full details about Champix see the patient information leaflet.
Cautions
People with history of psychiatric disorders or active depression should not take Champix.
Some people relapse or experience insomnia and depression for a few days when they stop taking Champix (this can be avoided by tapering the dose down before stopping all together). Some people even feel suicidal after stopping Champix and, although there is conflicting evidence about whether this happens more when Champix is stopped than otherwise, it is best to be forewarned in case there is a need to seek help should this happen.
Support services
As with all medication taken to help stop smoking Champix works best if support is given at the same time. Free NHS stop smoking advisers can offer support and can be contacted via NHS Choices.
Champix Starter Pack
Start the tablets one week before the quit date. People not already taking Champix should order the starter pack first to build up the dose.
Buy treatmentDr Fox supplies Champix tablets on prescription – you are required to answer a short medical questionnaire before your order can be completed.
Product leaflet
Further information
Authored 18 June 2010 by Dr Tony Steele
Last updated 16 August 2019
Reviewed by Dr B. Babor, Dr Tony Steele
Last reviewed 04 September 2017
References
- NICE, 2018, Smoking cessation, accessed 16 August 2019
- Pfizer, 2017, Champix: Summary of Product Characteristics, accessed 16 August 2019
Treatment available
Prices
Prices
| Champix dosage | Quantity | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Champix 2 Week Starter Pack (varenicline) | 2 week pack 11 x 0.5mg plus 14 x 1mg tablets | £35.00 |
| Champix 4 Week Starter Pack (varenicline) | 4 week pack 11 x 0.5mg plus 42 x 1mg tablets | £70.00 |
| Champix 0.5mg tablets (varenicline) | 56 tablets (4 week supply) | £68.90 |
| Champix 1mg tablets (varenicline) | 28 tablets (2 week supply) | £35.00 |
| Champix 1mg tablets (varenicline) | 56 tablets (4 week supply) | £68.90 |
| Champix 1mg tablets (varenicline) | 112 tablets (8 week supply) | £128.00 |
| Champix 1mg tablets (varenicline) | 168 tablets (full 12 week course) | £192.00 |
Price match guarantee
Prescription issued online - small prescription fee per order.
Compare prices: Dr Fox prices are 25%-50% lower cost than other online clinics.
Prescription fees
Dr Fox supplies medicine on prescription and charges a small prescription fee based on the order value of each prescription.
Prescriptions are issued by our doctors online and sent electronically to our pharmacy.
If you have your own private or NHS paper prescription please post to our pharmacy (details).
Dr Fox prices are 25%–50% lower than other UK online clinics.
| Order value | Prescription fee |
|---|---|
| up to £10 | £1.00 |
| up to £20 | £2.00 |
| up to £40 | £3.00 |
| over £40 | £4.00 |
| Qty/strength | Dr Fox* | Boots | Med Express | Superdrug | Lloyds | Co-op | Simple |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 week Starter Pack | £35.00 | £48.45 | £49.99 | £49.00 | £52.00 | £45.99 | £39.50 |
| 56 x 0.5mg (4 weeks) | £68.90 | £99.99 | n/a | n/a | £81.00 | n/a | £73.25 |
| 28 x 1mg (2 weeks) | £35.00 | n/a | n/a | n/a | £70.00 | £45.99 | n/a |
| 56 x 1mg (4 weeks) | £68.90 | £89.40 | £79.99 | £79.00 | £139.00 | £75.99 | £73.25 |
| 112 x 1mg (8 weeks) | £128.00 | £171.30 | £169.99 | £159.00 | £229.00 | £145.99 | £138.25 |
| 168 x 1mg (12 weeks) | £192.00 | n/a | £259.99 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| UK delivery | £2.90 | Free/£2.90 | £2.90 | included | included | £2.00 | £3.20/free |
Delivery charges
UK delivery only: £2.90 per consultation via Royal Mail 24 Signed For (1-3 working days with tracking).
Parcel forwarding services are not permitted. Use only UK home or work delivery address.
Returns and refunds - unwanted items can be returned within 14 working days for a full refund.
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Why you should stop smoking
Smoking is bad for you, but why does quitting make life better?
Lifestyle
When a person stops smoking they have more cash, £2,000 extra every year for a person smoking 20 a day. They are more appealing to the opposite sex. Men are less likely to have problems with erections. Women tend to be more fertile. Skin will age more slowly and teeth will be whiter.
Breathe easier
People breathe more easily and cough less when they stop smoking. It is unusual for non-smokers to get short of breath doing simple tasks at any age. Life-long smokers are often breathless. Within 9 months of stopping smoking the lungs work better. Stopping smoking may make the difference between a healthy active old age and one dogged by breathing problems.
Live longer
It's common knowledge that smokers die younger. A man of 30 who gives up smoking will live on average 10 years longer. It does not matter at what age smoking is stopped it will always improve the chances of a longer life.
Health risks of smoking
Smoking causes about 90% of all lung cancers. Smoking can also cause cancer in the mouth, lips, throat, voice box (larynx), oesophagus, bladder, kidney, liver, stomach, and pancreas. Smoking also damages your heart and your blood circulation increasing the risk of coronary heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. Lungs can also be damaged causing bronchitis, emphysema, and pneumonia. The risks are increased in people who have chronic diseases such as diabetes. Children are adversely affected by exposure to cigarette smoke.
Be more relaxed
Studies show that smokers are more stressed. They spend much of their time craving cigarettes and the relief they get from smoking is only short lived.
Do it for yourself
Stopping smoking produces a sense of achievement and well-being. People who give up often say food tastes better and that they have more energy.
So, if you want to be richer, healthier, live longer, be more relaxed, and have a better quality of life, you should stop smoking as soon as you can.
If you smoke, giving up is probably the greatest single step you can take to improve your health. Do it now!
The order process
Answer short medical questionnaire
Choose treatment, register, and pay
Doctor issues prescription online
Medicine posted direct from pharmacy
