Fully-funded under special authority.

waNT To quiT smokiNg? There is a waY ouT »

New ZeaLaND has a goaL To Be smokeFree BY 2025

»

2

New Zealand has set a goal for a smokefree aotearoa by 2025. a big part of that goal is to discourage young people from starting to smoke. But another part is helping people to stop smoking. if you’d like to stop, this brochure provides information on how Champix® can help you.

3

is smokiNg a ChoiCe?

»

4

For many people, smoking isn’t a choice. it’s an addiction where you feel you need to smoke. stopping can be hard – you may feel an intense and urgent need to smoke.

That’s why you may need help to stop smoking.

getting help to do this can save you time, money and bring forward the health benefits of being smokefree.

Champix is a medication that many people use to help them to quit. so talk to your doctor about the information contained in this brochure about how Champix can help you to stay smokefree.

5

how Does ChamPiX work?

»

6

Champix is based on a plant extract which is found in a variety of plants including the golden rain tree and the kowhai tree in New Zealand. it doesn’t contain nicotine and isn’t addictive.

it’s designed to do two things:

1. reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms that happen when you give up smoking.

2. Block the effect of nicotine - so if you do smoke while on Champix, you may get reduced feelings of satisfaction and not enjoy it as much. This can help remind you why you are stopping and reduce the desire to have another cigarette in the future.

Champix is available on prescription from your doctor. so if you’re interested in learning more about Champix, have a chat with him or her.

You’ll find that nurses, pharmacists and smoking cessation specialists can also give you information on Champix. a series of short videos on www.champix.co.nz builds on the information contained here.

7

how Do You use ChamPiX?

»

8

For many people, stopping smoking is about taking it one day at a time. Champix is a tablet which you use each day to help you over a 12 week period. You can use Champix to help you for a longer period, just ask your doctor if this is right for you.

The tablets come in a convenient pack that reminds you when to take each one. You start by taking them for at least one week before you actually stop smoking. most people plan to stop smoking in week two, but you have the flexibility to stop smoking when you choose, between days 8 and 35 of using Champix.

it’s important to keep taking Champix for the recommended 12 weeks. That way you’re more likely to stay smokefree long term. Champix helps you stay quit as you learn how to manage situations that make you want to smoke.

if you feel unwell while taking Champix it is important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

9

how weLL Does ChamPiX work?

»

10

at the end of the 12 week treatment programme, Champix can increase your chance of quitting by around 4 times, compared to taking no treatment at all (or going cold turkey).

after one year, Champix can increase your chances of staying smokefree by around three times.

Champix can also significantly reduce cravings for a smoke, and reduce the unpleasant side effects of stopping smoking.

however, it’s important to note that every smoker is different and the response to Champix does vary. The main thing is you won’t know how well it can work for you until you try.

11

how CaN You geT a FuNDeD Course oF ChamPiX ?

»

12

You may qualify for a fully-funded 12 week course of Champix. Check overleaf to see if you do.

if you don’t qualify for a funded course of Champix, it costs around $7 a day. That’s less than what many people spend on cigarettes each day.

if you would like to use Champix for longer than 12 weeks to help you stay smokefree, just talk to your doctor about this option. some people find it improves their chances of staying smokefree long term. a longer course of Champix is not currently funded by the government and you would need to set aside around $7 a day to do this.

?

13

how do you qualify?

NRT

Tried to quit smoking using patches

or gum and failed

A second time with patches or gum

and comprehensive advice and failed to quit

If you: Have decided you are ready to stop smoking Are part of, or about to enrol in a, comprehensive

support and counselling smoking cessation programme (talk to your doctor about this)

14

OR

ZYBAN®/NORPRESS®

Tried to quit smoking using

ZYBAN(bupropion)

orNORPRESS

(nortriptyline)

and failed

Have not used funded Champix in the last 12 months

Agree to not use Champix in conjunction with other smoking cessation products

Are not pregnant

Qualify for a funded 12 week course of Champix approvals valid for 5 months, re-approval available

after 12 months

15

siDe eFFeCTs & saFeTY oF ChamPiX

»

16

Your doctor is well placed to talk to you about the side effects of stopping smoking and those associated with Champix. There are lots of sources of information about Champix such as friends, family and the internet. But your doctor is the person you should talk to as it is their role to be familiar with the evidence and they should have seen many patients who have used Champix. Champix is not for everybody and you should ask your doctor if it is right for you.

The side effects of nicotine withdrawal

if you’ve tried to stop smoking cold turkey (with no help), then you may know what it feels like to crave a cigarette. You can feel irritable, frustrated, angry, anxious, maybe even depressed.

many people also have difficulty sleeping, concentrating and feel restless. These feelings can all be part of nicotine withdrawal when you stop smoking. Champix is designed to help you manage these feelings.

Over 85,000 kiwis have used Champix. Over 24 million people worldwide

have used Champix.

17

side effects of Champix

smoking cessation with or without the support of a medicine such as Champix can be associated with side effects.

Common side effects of Champix include feeling sick (nausea), difficulty sleeping, headache and changes in dreams. around 3 in 10 people feel sick while taking Champix and it often goes away after a few days. some people find it helpful to take Champix with food and water. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about these side effects and how they can be managed.

smokers who used Champix have reported changes in mood, behaviour or thinking, and sometimes these changes have been serious. it is not known if those changes are related to the medicine or to stopping smoking. if you or your family notice changes in your behaviour, mood or thinking, stop taking Champix and see your doctor.

There have been reports of heart attack and strokes in some people taking Champix. heart attacks and strokes can also be caused by smoking. if you have any of these conditions tell your doctor.

Before using Champix it is important to read the Consumer medicine information available on the medsafe website www.medsafe.govt.nz and to discuss the potential benefits and risks with your doctor.

18

19

eNroL iN The Free ChamPiX suPPorT Programme ‘mY Time To quiT’

»

20

The free support programme ‘my Time To quit’ is available for all people using Champix. This flexible online support programme is packed with features to help support your smokefree journey. You can register at www.mytimetoquit.co.nz to set up a personalised quit plan with email, and text support, access to support resources and helpful tools like savings calculators, photo walls and goal tracking.

21

eXTra suPPorT For sToPPiNg smokiNg

»

22

You can ask any healthcare professional for advice on getting help with stopping smoking.

You can also go online to Champix.co.nz where you can watch a series of short videos that discuss preparing to stop smoking, support to stop and staying smokefree. The videos have many easy to understand messages that will help you stop smoking with the aid of Champix.

23

ChamPiX (vareNiCLiNe) 0.5 mg & 1 mg TaBLeTs »

24

Champix (varenicline) is a prescription medicine that helps adults stop smoking. Champix is fully funded under special authority. a pharmacy charge and normal doctor’s fees apply. Do not take Champix if you are allergic to varenicline or any other tablet ingredients.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had depression, other mental health problems, kidney problems, have a history of repeated fits, heart problems, are pregnant, intend to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

some people have had changes in behaviour, mood or thinking including self-harm or harming others. if you or your family notice changes in your behaviour, mood or thinking, stop taking Champix and see your doctor.

some people have had allergic reactions to Champix that can be life threatening. if you get swelling of the face, mouth, throat or a skin rash, stop taking Champix and see your doctor immediately.

There have been reports of heart attack and strokes in some people taking Champix. heart attacks and strokes can also be caused by smoking. if you have any of these conditions tell your doctor.

Common side effects include nausea, constipation, flatulence, dry mouth, headache, dizziness, difficulty in sleeping and abnormal dreams. if you have other side effects see your doctor.

always read the label and use as directed. Consult your doctor to see if Champix is right for you. Contains varenicline 0.5 mg or 1 mg.

Further information on Champix is available from www.medsafe.govt.nz

or Pfizer New Zealand Ltd, Auckland, www.pfizer.co.nz

Ph. 0800 736 363.

25

Extra notes from GP/nurse/pharmacist

Situations that make me think about smoking

My goals to help me along the way

26

My strategies to deal with those situations

My rewards for being smokefree

Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about Champix®

Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about how Champix could help you stop smoking. For more information and easy to watch videos on smoking cessation, visit www.champix.co.nz.

You can also contact Pfizer New Zealand on 0800 736 363.

TAPS NA 6398