Looking for similar stories/advice. I have gained alot of weight on champix. I'm only on week 3 and have only been off cigarettes for 5 days now. I've had a terrible time. I was vomiting every morning and not sleeping until I started splitting them up. But this post is more about the weight gain.
It's marked. I can't say in pounds as I don't have a scales.
Note I will NOT stop taking Champix. Just wondering if anyone has experienced the same.
Written by
Maeve1234
9 Months Smoke Free
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I didn't take champix, but I none the less put on a fair bit of weight when I quit. It was totally worth it. I've almost lost all the weight that I put on now and you will too Don't get derailed by the weight, being smoke-free is worth it.
Hi Maeve1234, I’m on Champix and day 19 smoke free. I’ve put weight on but I think that’s natural for giving up smoking, I don’t think it’s the Champix.
Apparently nicotine stimulates the metabolism therefore stopping smoking slows it down until your body reacts but it takes time x
Maeve welcome Chantix is great don’t stop taking it .
I’m on the end of week 4 now, I’ve also cut down to 1/2 tablets doses though because I was quite bloated and constipated - this is also a side effect of not smoking though. It is quite difficult to separate what’s Champix from what’s just not smoking.
I too gained weight. I gained like 5lbs in a couple of weeks and this was before I even actually stopped because I’d cut down so much already.
So I had an honest look at why - and I had basically been substituting the ‘end of meal’ cigarette with chocolate. (I wasn’t even a sweet tooth person before quitting but I think it’s giving me some kind of rush and finality to the meal).
So, I’ve replaced this with no sugar sweets or an ice lolly at home and I’ve now lost 3lb over the past two weeks and managed to start working towards being back on weight watchers fully.
Be kind to yourself too, you can always lose weight at any time - right now you need to get through this period if not smoking.
Champions is not for everyone I used the patch system & have been very successful but gained 10pounds but feel better without smokes much healthier for you.
Hey Maeve1234 please do not get discouraged about the weight gain.
It is quite normal as you know and be proud of yourself for not smoking.
I just completed my 2nd month on Champix and have gained weight also but so far no more than 10 lbs which I am told is normal.
Champix is a wonder drug really and you have to work around the side effects like nausea by drinking lots of water and have a bit of food in your stomach. Also, I found timing was very important when taking the pills. I have a huge issue with getting to sleep at night and was concerned about that.
With taking the first pill of the day at 8:00 a.m. and the second pill at 3:00 it did not affect my sleeping. If I had taken the second pill later in the day or early evening it interrupted my sleep.
Don't give in or give up Maeve1234 you will get there ..it is not easy but much easier than
you feel right now. Most days I do not even think of smoking and then it is just fleeting if I did.
Wishing you great success!!
Enan
RoisinO1Administrator3 Years Smoke Free• in reply toEnan
Sleep disruption and some weight gain is all perfectly normal when we stop - any weight gain can be addressed when stronger in your journey, enjoy your new found taste and smell senses.
Read through other pinned posts as have some useful and helpful tips and stay close to us when you can, especially if having a bad day....
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.